Recently released report shows school closures have widened skills gap in Canada

BY PAUL JUNOR

The release of a new report by the Harris Poll, commissioned by Express Employment Professionals on Wednesday, October 13^th, 2021, has raised alarms.

The report was based on an online survey of 1,088 Canadians eighteen years and older. It was conducted between August 4^th, 2021, and August 5^th, 2021. The fact that it did not involve a probability sample means that no margin of error can be inferred. The results of the survey were released in a white paper titled,” A Lost Generation: How Pandemic School Closures and Remote Learning Threaten the Skills Gap.” The report highlights the concerns of many employers that Canadians will lack the necessary skills that the workforce need as a result of the “education disruptions” that was initiated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In fact, prior to the global pandemic, employers were already expressing reservations about the scarcity of qualified Canadians for high-level and highly skilled jobs.

Bill Stiller, CEO of Express Employment Professionals states in a media release, “The disruptions to education will mean a whole generation or more will fall further behind. Getting back to the pre-pandemic status quo won’t be enough and Canadians are in general agreement that we’re witnessing the creation of a lost generation.”

Furthermore, approximately 78% of Canadians expressed concerns that interruptions in schooling due to COVID-19 will contribute to students in the future lacking fundamental workplace skills that are needed to ensure their success.

Some of the results of the white paper revealed;

• 81% say it harms their ability to socialize with others.
• 81% say it is harming their mental health.
• 77% say it is hurting development of hard skills.
• 76% say it is hurting development of soft skills

In addition, the report focuses on some interesting facts that have long-term implications:

• School closures create domino effects that further strain the workforce.
• Minority and disadvantaged students are hardest hit.
• Disruption today, means lost earnings tomorrow, and lost GDP.
• Parents are concerned about mental health and other behaviours in their children.
• This has accelerated the pre-existing demographic crisis.
• Fixing the problem.

Undoubtedly, this report is intended to bring attention to policy makers, politicians, concerned stakeholders and interested individuals to raise awareness about the state of workers skills in the future. For those who are baby boomers born between 1944 and 1964 and are planning to retire in the next few years, there are real questions about the skill level of the millennial who will be chosen to hold leadership positions.

There is a lot at stake in the next decade. Is it possible to address this problem in Canada to ensure that the economy will not be impacted?

CEO Stiller is cautiously optimistic and positive. He observes,” Interventions now are imperative to save this lost generation, and the good news is it’s not too late. Change will take a concerted effort by many entities, but it’s well worth the investment.”