CANADIAN ALLIANCE OF STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS
New Data: Working-Age Canadians See Value in Post-Secondary Education and Experience Significant Benefits from it, Yet Face Barriers

A new report from the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) shows that working-age Canadians overwhelmingly agree that post-secondary education and research is important to the country's long-term economic development and competitiveness, and they believe the federal government should provide stronger funding and policy support. As well, working-age Canadians who completed post-secondary report a greater quality of life and more confidence navigating the labour market. Yet, significant financial and social barriers continue to limit the ability of Canadians to access post-secondary education, and how fully they benefit from it.

The report, The Value of Post-Secondary Education in Canada explores the experiences and perceptions of Canadians aged 18-65 with respect to post-secondary education, drawing on new survey data collected by Abacus Data on behalf of CASA. Its findings highlight that working-age Canadians believe in and demonstrate the value of Post-Secondary Education, indicating it is time for governments to recognize the critical role that the post-secondary sector must play in building a strong, sovereign, productive, and innovative future for Canada.

Key Findings:

89% of working-age Canadians believe that investing in post-secondary education is important for the country's long-term economic stability and global competitiveness.

There is also broad support (83%) among working-age Canadians for increasing federal funding to expand access to post-secondary education as well as strong support (79%) for the use of public funds to assist low-income students.

Post-secondary graduates aged 18-65 report having an overall greater quality of life than Canadians who have not completed post-secondary education.

Working-age Canadians with post-secondary credentials report a higher sense of purpose or meaning in life (55% versus 45%). Post-secondary credentials also offer greater responsibility at work and more confidence in their career mobility. Graduates are 24% more likely to lead projects, 15% more likely to manage teams, and 9% more likely to create jobs in their companies.

Many younger adults are delaying major life decisions -- such as buying a home or having children -- due to student debt,

Only 31% of working-age Canadians said they graduated without any student debt. Many also report forgoing starting business or feeling constrained in their career choices because of it.

The cost of attending post-secondary education is the largest barrier to enrolment and the biggest challenge for those enrolled.

Working-age Canadians who did not attend post-secondary education still recognize its potential value and regret the fact that they did not attend. Roughly 73% believe they would have earned better pay, and 70% believe they would have had improved career opportunities had they completed a post-secondary program.

To read the full report, click here.