Do entrepreneurial skills unlock opportunities for online freelancing? Experimental evidence from El Salvador
通过随机实验评估萨尔瓦多一项创业技能培训对在线自由职业的影响，发现培训虽能提升初期参与（如建立档案、发送提案），但未能带来长期劳动市场改善，且完成率低、富裕者更易完成。
This paper reports on a randomized experiment in El Salvador that aimed to improve online labor market outcomes by teaching the entrepreneurial skills required to engage with online marketplaces. Despite low completion rates, we find that assignment to the training significantly increases online freelancing outcomes, such as the probability of having an online freelancing profile, the number of proposals sent, receiving at least one job offer, and securing at least one online freelancing contract. We also observe improved socioemotional skills. However, we find no significant effects of the program on the number of job offers, contracts, or any broader labor market outcomes. Further analysis suggests that poor initial job ratings may have hindered sustained success in online freelancing. Overall, despite some initial success, the program failed to have a lasting impact on the livelihoods of the participants. • We assess a program in El Salvador teaching online entrepreneurial skills. • We find low completion rates, with wealthier individuals more likely to complete the program. • The program significantly improves initial online freelancing outcomes. • Treatment has no significant effect on labor market outcomes roughly one year after the program. • Poor initial job ratings may have hindered sustained success in online freelancing.