Why Does the Job Corps Increase Gender Earnings Inequality?

Several studies considering the Job Corps find more positive earnings effects for males than for females. This effect heterogeneity in favor of males contrasts with the results of the majority of other training program evaluations. Applying the translated quantile approach of Bitler, Hoynes, and Domina (2014), I show that the main mechanism behind the surprising findings for the Job Corps operates through existing gender earnings inequality rather than Job Corps trainability differences by gender. A program assignment mechanism that balances the earnings structure could increase earnings opportunities without promoting gender inequality.