A report, released today, by the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission shows that recent university graduates in Prince Edward Island are experiencing high levels of employment and personal satisfaction. The second annual Survey of 1996 University Graduates, which focuses on issues such as motivation for attending university and financing an education, indicates that graduates were more likely than the general population to find employment in July of 1997. The survey also shows that university graduates from P.E.I. have significantly lower unemployment rates than do graduates from other parts of Atlantic Canada.
Conducted during July and August of 1997, and compiled by the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission, the survey data indicate that the Class of 1996 has experienced great success in securing work close to home. Clearly, a university education still pays big dividends and enhances one's job prospects, as 87% of the university graduates who lived in Atlantic Canada, prior to attending university, were able to find work in the region after graduation.
"What is particularly impressive about these results is that there is an explicit confirmation of the value of a university education," said Honourable Chester Gillan, Minister of Education. A university education continues to be a solid financial investment. We now have additional evidence to support our long-held belief that as an
individual increases his or her level of post-secondary learning, there is a much greater propensity for increased earnings."
Despite rising university costs, the students who comprised the Prince Edward Island Class of 1996 also expressed a high degree of satisfaction with the facilities, services and faculty. The report indicates that graduates consider their university experience to be worth the personal investment of time, energy and money.
"It is rather gratifying to learn that many Islanders are embracing lifelong learning, as is evident in the survey results," said Minister Gillan. "Our Government has stressed the importance of one's continuous acquisition of knowledge, regardless of age, and now we are beginning to see some positive indications that our message is being received in a favourable manner. For example, in the past year, 37% of the Class of 1996 furthered their education by taking more university courses. We will see, over time, that this trend will expand and offer many benefits to the individual and to our community."
The Survey of 1996 University Graduates also provides valuable information about how university students pay for their education. Almost 47% of the Class of 1996 did not need to borrow to finance their education. Of the 53% who did need to access external funding, most relied on a government student loan.
Results from the MPHEC survey will serve as somewhat of a benchmark, which will be compared to similar endeavours in the future, as a way of eliciting trends and providing information which will be utilized to help maintain a high standard of quality in the Island's post-secondary institutions.