This paper analyses to what extent a hard skills (vocational training) and a soft
skills (aspirational pep talk) intervention affected childbearing decisions, HIV
testing and transactional sex in young people. Using baseline and follow-up data
of a randomized control trial in Malawi, the authors find that receiving an offer to
attend a vocational training program decreased the likelihood of childbearing in
females and increased the likelihood of being HIV tested in both females and
males. The likelihood of being offered transactional sex also decreased in females
if receiving a vocational training offer. These outcomes were mainly affected by
vocational training, but not by inspirational talks. Comparing the effects of both
interventions between adolescents (under 20) and young adults (20-24), we
observe that both ‘hard and soft skills’ reduced childbearing and increased HIV
testing in both groups, but they presented significant opposite effects on
transactional sex in adolescents. Vocational training reduced the likelihood of
having been offered transactional sex, but inspirational talks increased the
likelihood of having been offered. Adolescents who received ‘hard skills’ are less
likely to offer transactional sex after the intervention. These results shed light on
gender and age differences in the effects of vocational training interventions on
non-labor outcomes and on how low-cost ‘soft skills’ interventions, such as
inspirational talks, may affect long term outcomes.