Technical Education, Non-cognitive Skills and Labor Market Outcomes: Experimental Evidence from Brazil

Abstract This paper describes the results from an evaluation of a public policy that offers scholarships to current and former high school students, so they can attend technical vocational education courses free charge. We use waiting list randomized controlled trial in four municipalities southern Brazilian State (Santa Catarina) quantify effects program on progression, labor market outcomes non-cognitive skills. Our intention-to-treat estimates reveal substantial gender heterogeneity two years after completion. Women experienced large gains Employment rose by 21 percentage points (or approximately 33%) earnings are more than 50%. Also, women who received offer scored 0.5 σ higher synthetic index skills 0.69 extraversion indicator. find no male sub-sample. These findings corroborate evidence programs. also perform series exercises explore potential channels through which these arise.