Enhancing Research Opportunities on The Returns to Adult Learning with National Survey and Administrative Data Sources

Authors:Marc FrenetteDouwere GrekouTed Wannell

The study of returns to adult learning is important in the context of a changing economy. Faced with industrial restructuring and geographically uneven job growth, governments must determine how to invest scarce public funds in effective training for displaced or low skill workers. A recent review of the literature on returns to adult learning concluded that studies are limited in their scope of outcomes and often do not focus on detailed types of adult learning (Myers et al., 2011).

Specifically, most studies use survey data, focus on individual earnings, and usually consider postsecondary education as a single, broad category. The purpose of this paper is to discuss policy issues related to adult learning that could be informed by conducting research on current sources of Statistics Canada and HRSDC data, including surveys, administrative files and technically feasible, linked administrative files.

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Project Details

Capability: Policy Research
Policy Area: Adult Learning - Adult Training
Population: Low-skilled Workers - General Population
Type: Report
Completion Date: April 2014
Sponsors: Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC)

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