A Report on Pathways of Canadian Youth: From School to Work
Introduction
In 2020/2021, approximately 354,000 young Canadians graduated from a regular high school program, with an additional 24,000 graduating from a vocational program and 9,000 graduating from a general program for adults.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of global goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015 to address various social, economic, and environmental challenges. The pathways of Canadian youth from school to work align with several SDGs, including:
- Quality Education (SDG 4): Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.
- Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8): Promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
- Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10): Reducing inequality within and among countries by ensuring equal opportunities and promoting social, economic, and political inclusion.
The First Step – Graduating High School and Transitioning to Postsecondary Studies
The first transition that Canadian youth will generally make is graduating from high school and either transitioning to postsecondary studies or entering the labor market. In 2021, only 5% of Canadians aged 25 to 34 did not attain a high school diploma.
High School Graduation
In Canada, a high proportion of young people complete their studies within the expected time, which is three years after starting grade 10. In 2019/2020, 84% of young people graduated on time, up from 81% in 2018/2019. This proportion was higher for girls at 87% than for boys at 81%.
Some students may take longer to complete their high school studies. If we extend the timeframe to complete a high school diploma to five years after starting grade 10, this percentage increases to 89%. This proportion was 86% for boys and 91% for girls.
Postsecondary Participation
Half of all young Canadians aged 18 to 24 are undertaking some form of education. In 2021/2022, 4% were still working towards their high school diploma, 13% were pursuing their studies at college, and one-third (33%) were studying at university. The other half (50%) of 18- to 24-year-old Canadian youth were not in education. Of these youth, 38% were employed, while 12% were not in employment, education, or training.
Postsecondary Pathways – Persistence and Graduation Rates
Once they enter and participate in postsecondary education, how well do Canadian youth do? This section provides insight into the persistence and graduation rates of young Canadians enrolled in an undergraduate degree, college diploma, or apprenticeship program.
Undergraduate Degrees
For the 2014/2015 cohort of Canadian students, the average time to graduate with an undergraduate degree was 4.24 years. The persistence rate after one year is high for undergraduate degrees. For example, for the 2019/2020 cohort, 90% of enrolled students were still in this program one year later. Almost three-quarters (74%) of the 2014/2015 cohort of Canadian students had completed a bachelor’s degree after six years, and 44% of the 2016/2017 cohort had graduated after four years.
Career, Technical, or Professional Training Diploma
For Canadian students, the average time to graduate from a career, technical, or professional training diploma was 2.6 years. The completion rate for these programs is lower than for undergraduate degrees. Over half (57%) of the 2016/2017 cohort had graduated after four years, while just under half (48%) of the 2017/2018 cohort had graduated from this program after three years.
Apprenticeships
For the cohort of apprentices who began their apprenticeship in 2014, 21% certified within the duration of their program or ‘on-time’. This proportion goes up to 34% who certify within 1.5 times the duration of the program. The median time to certification within 1.5 times the program duration was 3.2 years.
Educational Attainment of 25- to 34-year-olds
Ultimately, 75% of young Canadians aged 25 to 34 will attain a postsecondary qualification. In 2021, 30% had a bachelor’s degree, 24% had a college diploma, 12% had earned a Master’s or doctorate, and 9% had a trade certificate.
Labour Market Outcomes
Unemployment Rates
In general, the more years of education that a young person has attained, the lower the unemployment rate. College or trade graduates and university graduates have similar unemployment rates. However, during times of economic shock, such as the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, college or trade graduates experienced a steeper rise in unemployment than university graduates.
Employment Income
Regarding employment income, undergraduate degree graduates had a median income of $50,900 two years after graduation, compared with $39,700 for college diploma graduates. Apprentices who certified in 2018 had a median employment income of $59,000.
Employment Income Over Time
For the 2015 cohort of Canadian graduates of career, technical, or professional training diplomas, the median income two years after graduation was $38,400, and five years after graduation was $43,700 – an increase of 14%. For Canadian graduates with undergraduate degrees, the median income was $48,200 after two years and $60,100 after five, an increase of 25%. For apprentices who certified in 2016, the median employment income increased from $54,461 at time of certification to $64,793 after two years.
Income Over a Lifetime
Workers at all levels of education see growth in earnings and employment income up to age 55 to 59. This curve is steepest for those with a university certificate or degree at the bachelor level or above.
The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has had and continues to have an impact on the pathways of Canadian youth from school to work. The closure of worksites and disruptions to in-person learning have affected apprenticeships and high school graduation. The number of new registrations in
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes | High school graduation rate |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university | Participation rates in postsecondary education |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training | Percentage of youth not in employment, education, or training |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value | Unemployment rates by education level |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status | Income levels by education level |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
The specific targets under SDG 4 are 4.1 and 4.3. The specific target under SDG 8 is 8.6.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
The article mentions the following indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
- High school graduation rate
- Participation rates in postsecondary education
- Percentage of youth not in employment, education, or training
- Unemployment rates by education level
- Income levels by education level
4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes | High school graduation rate |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university | Participation rates in postsecondary education |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training | Percentage of youth not in employment, education, or training |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value | Unemployment rates by education level |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status | Income levels by education level |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: www150.statcan.gc.ca
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