Can training close the gender wage gap? Evidence from Vietnamese SMEs

Firm-provided training is generally seen as an important tool for bridging the skills gap between labour force and what private sector demands. Little known about how successful such can be in closing gender wage gap. We use a matched employer-employee panel dataset to assess why firms train whether formal affects outcomes Vietnamese SMEs. Training found firm-sponsored specific nature. find that associated with higher wages trained women compared both untrained men. However, we do not statistically significant difference Furthermore, increase only on-the-job training. Our findings indicate that, at least Vietnam, could help women’s productivity thus contribute