Assessing the returns to STEM skills and bilingualism using the 2018 National Graduate Survey
Although the increasing importance of “soft skills” would suggest stronger labour market returns for BHASE* fields, our findings show that STEM jobs still pay more.
As well, being bilingual in Canada’s official languages is associated with higher earnings in BHASE fields—and that this earnings advantage holds for both non-technical and technical BHASE jobs.
Considering the clear advantage that STEM-related skills can have on improving career prospects for early graduates, our report supports the opinions of many education experts pushing for STEM programming to be introduced earlier in education cycle.
Similarly, the employment advantage that non-STEM graduates have by being bilingual in Canada’s two official languages (particularly if they wish to work in the public sector) could explain why second language immersion programs have grown increasingly popular.
Our report’s findings have far-reaching implications for policy makers interested in future-proofing Canada’s labour force, and it discusses the possibility of retooling existing education system—for both youths and adult learners—to ensure the best returns to public education.
*BHASE: Business, Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education Fields.
