View in EDS

Breaking the stigma: the economic returns to trades education in Canada.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Breaking the stigma: the economic returns to trades education in Canada.
Authors: Pizarro Milian, Roger1 (AUTHOR) roger.pizarromilian@utoronto.ca, Brown, Robert2 (AUTHOR) rbrown57@yorku.ca, Walters, David3 (AUTHOR) dwalters@uoguelph.ca, Parekh, Gillian2 (AUTHOR) parekhg@edu.yorku.ca, Collis, Ryan2 (AUTHOR) ryan.collis@my.yorku.ca, Mishra, Christine E.B.1 (AUTHOR) christine.mishra@mail.utoronto.ca, Abdulkarim, Firrisaa4 (AUTHOR) firrisaa@yorku.ca
Source: Education + Training. 2025, Vol. 67 Issue 7/8, p786-801. 16p.
Subject Terms: *Postsecondary education, *Apprenticeship programs, Labor market, Earnings trends, Profitability, Empirical research
Geographic Terms: Canada, Ontario
Abstract: Purpose: This paper aims to document early earnings trajectories based on the educational pathways travelled by students in Ontario, Canada, with a particular focus on the outcomes of those that opt for training in the trades. Design/methodology/approach: This study draws on a new administrative linkage to track the trajectories of over 61,000 students from the Toronto District School Board as they enter post-secondary education (PSE) and then the labour market. It uses regression modelling to estimate early net disparities in earnings based on PSE pathways. Findings: We estimate that graduates from the "Red Seal" trades earn substantially more than counterparts emerging from college or university programs, even net of demographics and academic performance measured at the high school level. Originality/value: This study is the first in Ontario, Canada, to analyse early earnings trajectories across the full spectrum of post-secondary pathways available to students. It provides useful evidence-based insights that can inform future system design and reform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Education + Training is the property of Emerald Publishing Limited and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
Description
Abstract:Purpose: This paper aims to document early earnings trajectories based on the educational pathways travelled by students in Ontario, Canada, with a particular focus on the outcomes of those that opt for training in the trades. Design/methodology/approach: This study draws on a new administrative linkage to track the trajectories of over 61,000 students from the Toronto District School Board as they enter post-secondary education (PSE) and then the labour market. It uses regression modelling to estimate early net disparities in earnings based on PSE pathways. Findings: We estimate that graduates from the "Red Seal" trades earn substantially more than counterparts emerging from college or university programs, even net of demographics and academic performance measured at the high school level. Originality/value: This study is the first in Ontario, Canada, to analyse early earnings trajectories across the full spectrum of post-secondary pathways available to students. It provides useful evidence-based insights that can inform future system design and reform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:00400912
DOI:10.1108/ET-01-2025-0014