Postsecondary Education and Canada's Productivity Crisis

This report examines the relationship between postsecondary education and productivity in Canada. It outlines the current state of Canada's highly educated workforce and identifies the disconnect between educational attainment and economic performance. Despite having one of the highest rates of postsecondary education globally, Canada's productivity growth lags behind many OECD countries. The report details challenges such as a mismatch between graduates' skills and labor market needs, insufficient employer satisfaction with new hires, and the financial constraints faced by postsecondary institutions. It presents recommendations to address these issues, emphasizing the need for innovative educational models and better alignment between education and industry requirements. The report also highlights examples from other countries that successfully leverage their postsecondary systems to enhance productivity. By addressing these gaps, Canada can improve its competitive edge in a rapidly changing global economy.