Education, Work and Family: How Canadians are Keeping Up?

Categorized | Education

Posted on 23 December 2009 by .

In 2008, 36% of adults aged 25 to 64 participated in job-related education or training activities, up from 30% in 2002. At the same time, 32% of adults reported that they wanted to further participate, but did not, an increase from 26% in 2002.
Data from the survey’s youth component shows that parents are saving for their children’s future education. Two-thirds of children up to the age of 17 had savings for their postsecondary education. Of those with savings, 69% had a Registered Education Savings Plan.
Between 2002 and 2008, the largest increase in participation occurred among middle-aged people, followed by older Canadians. The increase was less pronounced for younger Canadians. Consequently, for the first time, adults aged 35 to 44 had participation rates similar to younger adults aged 25 to 34. Participation in job-related education or training was highest among the 25 to 34 age group (43%), followed closely by the 35 to 44 age group (42%). The rate fell to 29% for adults aged 45 to 64.
Participation in job-related education or training increased in all provinces. The fastest growth occurred in Prince Edward Island, where the participation rate rose from 27% in 2002 to 41% in 2008.

Family responsibilities, needing to work and conflicts with work schedules were the most common reasons for not pursuing further education or training. These reasons differed between age groups.
Young people aged 18 to 24 cited training costs as the most important reason, while adults 25 to 64 cited family responsibilities.
Reasons for not pursuing further education or training have changed over time. Among Canadians who reported an unmet need or demand, the proportion of adults who reported costs as a barrier fell from 43% in 2002 to 36% in 2008.
In contrast, the proportion of adults who cited conflicts with their work schedule rose from 27% to 39%. The proportion of adults who cited family responsibilities increased from 27% to 34%.

In 2008, 68% of children up to the age of 17, whose parents expected them to go beyond high school, had savings for their postsecondary education. This was an increase from 43% in 1999 and 52% in 2002.
Of children who had savings put aside for their education, 69% had savings in RESPs in 2008, up from 42% in 1999 and 55% in 2002.
Children with parents who had a postsecondary education were almost twice as likely to have savings compared with children whose parents had less than high school education.