Today’s graduates are paving the way for a prosperous future

This year, Canadian universities welcomed over 1.4 million students to learn online and on campus. After two years of virtual classes and convocations, Canadian universities are giving graduates the chance to finally walk across the stage and collect their diploma in front of loved ones. This is an overdue moment of celebration, marking an achievement graduates should be immensely proud of.

As they celebrate this important milestone, graduates look to the future—determining how they can use the skills and knowledge gained during their education to achieve their personal and professional aspirations. These graduates will contribute significantly to Canada’s recovery from the impacts of the pandemic and help ensure a prosperous future for all.

Economic recovery in a changing workforce

The world of work is changing. According to RBC’s Future Skills Report, more than a quarter of Canadian jobs will be heavily disrupted and half will undergo a significant skills overhaul in the decade ahead. To succeed in this era of rapid change, the report argues, young Canadians will need foundational skills: communication, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, adaptability, digital literacy, math and analysis.

Canadian postsecondary education is high quality—earning an “A” grade by the Conference Board of Canada when compared to peer countries. Plus, those who studied throughout the pandemic encountered challenges that likely made them even more adaptable and digitally literate than ever before. These skills will serve graduates well, as they take on the changing workforce and pursue careers in law, science, policy, business, health care and more.

The future of our country is in good hands. Congratulations to the graduates of 2022 and those celebrating belatedly!