The Salud Mesoamerica Initiative is a public-private partnership that provides funding to national governments in Mesoamerica (the region consisting of southern Mexico and Central America) that is conditional on attaining health results in their poorest municipalities. SMI has set into motion a dynamic process that is strengthening health systems for reproductive, maternal, neonatal and child health.

The purpose of this paper is to provide information that contributes to the decision to implement apprenticeships in the region. To this end, we present global evidence of the effectiveness of apprenticeships. In particular, we present a review of the impact evaluations of these programs on labor outcomes, taking into account the different applied methodologies and their according level of rigor. Overall, the results suggest that apprenticeships –whether integrated into the country's education systems or not- show positive effects on individuals and firms.

The Salud Mesoamerica Initiative is a public-private partnership that provides funding to national governments in Mesoamerica (the region consisting of southern Mexico and Central America) that is conditional on attaining health results in their poorest municipalities. SMI has set into motion a dynamic process that is strengthening health systems for reproductive, maternal, neonatal and child health.

The purpose of this paper is to provide information that contributes to the decision to implement apprenticeships in the region. To this end, we present global evidence of the effectiveness of apprenticeships. In particular, we present a review of the impact evaluations of these programs on labor outcomes, taking into account the different applied methodologies and their according level of rigor. Overall, the results suggest that apprenticeships –whether integrated into the country's education systems or not- show positive effects on individuals and firms.

The Better Jobs Index measures jobs in countries based on two dimensions: quantity and quality. The quantity dimension is composed of two indicators: the labor participation rate and the employment rate. Quality, on the other hand, consists of the formality rate and living wage sufficient to overcome poverty. Thus, the index is the weighted average of these four indicators*, and their scores range from 0 to 100.

The Better Jobs Index measures jobs in countries based on two dimensions: quantity and quality. The quantity dimension is composed of two indicators: the labor participation rate and the employment rate. Quality, on the other hand, consists of the formality rate and living wage sufficient to overcome poverty. Thus, the index is the weighted average of these four indicators, and their scores range from 0 to 100. For a country to get 100 points, all people who participate in the labor force must be employed with a formal job that provides them with a living wage.

The Better Jobs Index measures jobs in countries based on two dimensions: quantity and quality. The quantity dimension is composed of two indicators: the labor participation rate and the employment rate. Quality, on the other hand, consists of the formality rate and living wage sufficient to overcome poverty. Thus, the index is the weighted average of these four indicators, and their scores range from 0 to 100. For a country to get 100 points, all people who participate in the labor force must be employed with a formal job that provides them with a living wage.

The Better Jobs Index measures jobs in countries based on two dimensions: quantity and quality. The quantity dimension is composed of two indicators: the labor participation rate and the employment rate. Quality, on the other hand, consists of the formality rate and living wage sufficient to overcome poverty. Thus, the index is the weighted average of these four indicators, and their scores range from 0 to 100. For a country to get 100 points, all people who participate in the labor force must be employed with a formal job that provides them with a living wage.