Opening the doors to success
There are many definitions of success. When it comes to the advantages of continuing beyond high school, there are many clear signs that post-secondary education is worth the investment:
- More than half of Canadian adults aged 26 to 65 have completed post-secondary education – that’s one of the highest rates amongst developed countries
- Those with a post-secondary degree earn 39% more on average than those without a post-secondary education
- Economic growth and replacement needs are expected to create almost 6 million new jobs by 2024, two-thirds of which will require college, university or vocational education
- Those with a post-secondary education also benefit from employment stability and often pension plan coverage
According to a recent study from the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario, post-secondary education enhances ‘soft skills’ such as resilience, initiative, and team work – traits that are necessary to succeed in changing job market. Aside from benefits to students, an educated workforce adds value to society in the form of active citizenship, as post-secondary graduates are more likely to vote, volunteer and donate.
Sources:
1-2. OECD (2016), Education at a Glance 2016: OECD Indicators
3. Economic and Social Development Canada 2015 Canadian Occupational Projection System
4. An Investment of a Lifetime? The Long-Term Labour Market Premiums (Statistics Canada, 2014)