Post-Secondary Education and Trades Training

Topic Box from the 2006 Sixth Annual Benchmark Report

The proportion of the Canadian population with some post-secondary education, regardless of credential status, has increased significantly since 1990. The proportion in Canada has increased by 15.0 percentage points, from 41.6 percent in 1990 to 56.6 percent in 2005. The proportion has not increased as quickly in BC, but BC's proportion (57.9%) was 1.3 percentage points above the national average in 2005. Postsecondary attainment (population aged 15+) in British Columbia consisted of the following in 2005: 11.4 percent of the population had some post-secondary education; an additional 27.8 percent had a post-secondary certificate or diploma; and, 18.7 percent had a university degree (bachelor's or higher).

Statistics Canada tracks education attainment by province in the monthly Labour Force Survey (LFS). Education attainment breakdowns are available for the following categories: 0-8 years (i.e., primary); some high school; high school graduate; some post-secondary education (but no degree or certificate awarded); post-secondary certificate or diploma; and, university degree. Other more detailed breakdowns are available from Statistics Canada.

Of particular interest is the proportion of the population with a trade certificate or diploma from a vocational school or apprenticeship training, (referred to hereafter as trades training). In 2005, 10.7 percent of Canadians aged fifteen and older had recognized trades training. The ratio in BC was an above average 11.0 percent, which earned a sixth place rank. The highest proportion (18.8%) was in Newfoundland and Labrador. Second rank went to Saskatchewan (15.0%), followed by Nova Scotia (15.0%), Alberta (14.1%) and Quebec (13.5%). The lowest proportion (7.4%) was in Ontario.