Canadian Council on Learning | Conseil Canadien sur l'Apprentissage

The State of Post-secondary Education in Canada 2006

Canadian Post-secondary Education 
A Positive Record – An Uncertain Future

Summary: PSE's benefits to Canada

Post-secondary education and training play a pivotal role in Canada’s economic growth and social progress. Canadian campuses and vocational training centres produce highly skilled workers for all sectors of the economy. They help to generate the new ideas needed to solve societal challenges and foster greater understanding of the world. They are a primary source of research, expanding the scope of human knowledge generally and acting as an engine of innovation and economic growth.

Post-secondary education benefits for society

Research shows that higher education and training are strongly linked to safe communities, a healthy population and sustainable environment. Other benefits of an educated population include a greater appreciation of diversity, resulting in stronger social cohesion.

A study by the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation revealed that university graduates represent 16.1% of population, provide 33% of income tax, and consume 9.1% of government transfers such as employment insurance or social assistance. Those with less than high school represent 19.2% of population, provide 8.8% of income tax, and consume 35.1% of government transfers. ^[1]

While the contributions of post-secondary education and training to society have always been valuable, higher education has never mattered more—for individuals, communities and the country at large. Learning is central to all aspects of contemporary life. No sector or individual is untouched by the globalization of the economy, the information and technological revolution all around us and the resulting relentless rate of change.

Throughout the world, nations have come to realize that education is the cornerstone of higher standards of living and quality of life. In the 21st century, it is people with knowledge and skills who drive economic development. Those same skilled people build strong, stable communities. Advanced education and training are vital to the creation of jobs, producing prosperity and increasing inclusion. The countries that succeed in the future will be those whose citizens are highly educated and highly skilled in every domain.

^[1] Junor S. & Usher A. (2004). Price of Knowledge. Access and Student Finance in Canada. Millennium Research Series. Millennium Scholarship Foundation. Canada.

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