Canadians’ Perceptions of Post-Secondary Education, Retraining and Lifelong Learning
Canada’s rapidly changing labour market creates both opportunities and challenges that force us to reflect on the future of work and learning. For post-secondary institutions, this raises many important questions about how best to support learners coming to them at all stages of their lives.
To gain a better understanding of what Canadians expect, CICan commissioned EKOS Research Associates to conduct a survey on the perceptions of post-secondary education, retraining and lifelong learning.
Survey highlights
- 98% of Canadians believe that access to lifelong learning at all ages is important.
- 90% of respondents agree that a good education is one that gives hands-on experience to students
- 87% agree that the purpose of post-secondary education is to help people get, and keep, good jobs.
- 87% believe that businesses should advise post-secondary institutions to make sure students graduate with skills they need in the workplace
- 91% agree that colleges and institutes prepare students with the technical skills they need to succeed in the workplace
- 88% say Canada’s colleges and institutes have a positive impact on their local communities.

November 12, 2019
EKOS Survey - Canadians’ Perceptions of Post-Secondary Education
Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) commissioned EKOS Research Associates to conduct a survey of Canadians’ views on post-secondary education. The survey examined a range of issues including general...
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