September in Toronto is always a time of renewal. Hallways fill with students, lecture halls come alive, and families settle back into routines. At TWIG, we see this season as more than just back-to-school, it’s a reminder of the foundation on which our city’s workforce and economy are built: education.
There’s a lot of discussion these days about the trades, and with good reason. Toronto and Ontario need skilled electricians, welders, plumbers, and countless others to build housing, keep industry running, and meet the demands of a changing economy. But we need to be clear: entering the trades should not mean leaving school behind. The data is overwhelming. Completing high school, and then continuing into post-secondary education, is the strongest predictor of long-term success regardless of whether it is the trades, university or college.
For young Canadians, the stakes are high. Dropouts face double the unemployment rates of graduates, earn far less, and are far more likely to depend on social assistance. Those who finish high school and then pursue college, university, or an apprenticeship not only see higher wages, but also gain the adaptability needed in today’s labour market. Post-secondary education isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity in a city where nearly every growing sector demands advanced skills.
And we know this matters for more than paycheques. Education is one of the strongest social determinants of health. Graduates live longer, healthier lives and participate more fully in civic and community life. In short, education builds human capital; not just for individuals, but for Toronto as a whole.
The good news is we’re moving in the right direction. High school graduation rates in Toronto have climbed from 69% in the year 2000 to about 86% today. That’s thousands more young people entering adulthood with the credentials to succeed. But gaps remain, especially for those discouraged from seeing themselves in post-secondary education. Too often, the message to “just get into a trade” leaves out the critical step of finishing school and completing an apprenticeship or college program.
This September, our message is simple: stay in school, and keep going. Whether it’s university, college, or a trade apprenticeship, post-secondary education is the engine that powers Toronto’s future. Our city can’t thrive without it, and neither can the young people who will shape its future.
At TWIG, we track labour market data every day, and the conclusion is always the same: education pays. As students head back to school, let’s keep that truth front and centre.
