Do entrepreneurial skills unlock opportunities for online freelancing? Experimental evidence from El Salvador

Abstract

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.