month placement and support phase in which the trainees were supported in their transition to self or wage employment. Upon recruitment, the participants are assigned to a "Job Skills (JS)" track or a "Business Development Services (BDS)" track. When possible, the participant's track preference was honored; however, the demand for the Job Skills track greatly exceeded the supply, so the remaining trainees were placed into the BDS track. In the first round of training, the proportion of Job Skills track places was limited to 35% of the total training places available given the expectation that few wage jobs will be available in the Liberian job market. The Job Skills track provided training in six areas: 1) hospitality, 2) professional cleaning / waste management, 3) office / computer skills, 4) professional house / office painting, 5) security guard services, and 6) professional driving. These areas were determined based on independent labor market assessments, a review of the available market data, and input from EPAG’s private sector partners. All Job Skills trainees received training in entrepreneurship skills as well. The BDS training taught young women how to identify micro-enterprise opportunities based on an assessment of market needs, and how to grow and manage any existing businesses they already had. The curriculum included entrepreneurship principles, market analysis, business management, customer service, money management, and record-keeping.

The EPAG program was implemented by four NGOs who were selected by the Liberian Ministry of Gender and Development through a competitive bidding process: the Community Empowerment Program (CEP), Liberia Entrepreneurial and Economic Development (LEED), the International Rescue Committee (IRC), and the American Refugee Committee (ARC). Two of these organizations (ARC and IRC) further subcontracted to four Liberian NGOs.<sup>4</sup> The service providers were responsible for developing training curricula, identifying training venues,<sup>5</sup> making arrangements for childcare services, assisting with the mobilization of the nine target communities, and participating in the recruitment of training participants.

The EPAG program differed from many training programs in a number of ways. First, performance bonuses were awarded to training providers that successfully place their graduates in jobs or microenterprises. The bonus was the last payment that the service providers received under their contracts. These were paid about 12 months after the start of training, or around the same time as the midline survey. Second, a variety of contests and competitions were also held among EPAG trainees (such as attendance prizes, quizzing contests, business plan competitions, etc.). Third, the EPAG program was designed around the girls' needs: service providers held both morning and afternoon sessions, to accommodate the participants' busy schedules; trainings were held in the communities where the girls reside; and every site offered free childcare. Fourth, frequent and unannounced monitoring visits by MoGD staff ensured that the service providers created and maintained a high-quality learning

> 4 There are: National Adult Education Association of Liberia (NAEAL), Community Empowerment Sustainable Program (CESP), EduCare, and Children’s Assistance Program (CAP).

> 5 A total of 19 training venues were used during the first round of training. They were chosen with the following considerations in mind: 1. Girls’ safety, so that the buildings are not so isolated or otherwise dangerous, raising security concerns for girls. 2. Conducive atmosphere for learning, spacious and sanitary with access to water and latrine facilities. Reasonably outside community noise concentration. 3. Proximity to community center and to security posts such as police depots. 4. Accessible to girls from various parts of the community.

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