Are you or your loved ones considering enrolling in the Canadian education system? Undoubtedly, Canada’s education that is recognized worldwide is one of the many features that make Canada the ideal destination for students and families. However, no system is without its faults.
To help our readers make better-informed decisions, two commonly overlooked flaws of the Canadian Education system would be introduced in this newsletter — the disparity in education between provinces and the disconnect between education and employment.
The disparity in education stems from the differences in education policies and priorities of provinces. Aside from the differences between private and public education that is familiar to our readers in Hong Kong, Canada also sees disparity within its public education depending on the province you reside in. Whilst primary and secondary education is compulsory and publicly funded across all of Canada, the provinces are responsible for the financial and administrative decisions in education within their jurisdictions.
Depending on the priorities and budget each province has, the quality of public education fluctuates. For example, in a survey conducted by the Fraser Institute in 2021, the per-student education spending in 2021 ranges from a 6.3% decrease in Newfoundland & Labrador to an increase of 15.2% in Noca Scoti. This reflects a harsh truth of the Canadian education system: the province you reside in could have a substantial impact on the quality of education you receive. Subsequently, this also bleeds into your career prospect which ties into the next flaw of the Canadian education system.
Despite strong academic training, Canadian students find it difficult to integrate into the workplace because of the disconnect between education and employment. In the Canadian education system, there is a lack of ample vocational training. In a survey commissioned by Express in conjunction with The Harris Poll in 2020, nearly 90% of the interviewed employees believe their education does not adequately prepare them for employment. This applies to skills that are essential to both the job-seeking process and the job itself.
On one hand, students are not taught how to land their dream job. Schools, particularly post secondary institutions, do not provide training in invaluable skills such as how to craft a resume and cover letter that will appeal to employers. On the other hand, after students enter the workforce successfully, they found themselves underprepared for the job. The skills they are taught in their education do not match with the skills employers are looking for. For example, whilst project management is a core feature of a vast amount of jobs available on the job market, employees report that their education does not sufficiently equip them with the skills essential to performing this task. With the devastating economical effect Covid-19 has on the economy worldwide, this flaw of the Canadian education system is especially devastating considering the competition among job applicants.
What does this mean for readers who are considering studying in Canada or enrolling your family members in the Canadian education system? This means before settling in Canada, a thorough understanding of the province you intend to migrate to is necessary to ensure you and your family could get the most out of Canada’s education system. In addition, without rapid education reforms in sight, the disconnect between education and employment must be bridged by the students themselves.
Whilst this sounds like arduous tasks, our organization with a wealth of experience and expertise can assist you in making sure your transition to Canada is as smooth as possible. We also offer training in skills quintessential to the workplace that will boost your chances in the competitive workplace.