Education + Skills
GOAL: High performing + empowered community.
Think about how the Forces of Change
(24k/1p) may have an impact.
Other factors to consider for us to achieve this goal:
Significant Employment Base
Markham is experiencing significant growth in the working age population. The 15-24 age cohort comprises one of the largest proportions of the local population and the 25-29 age cohort has experienced significant growth, increasing an estimated 40% since 2001. This confirms that Markham has a growing and young employment base. At the same time, Markham is also experiencing significant increase in the percentage of its population nearing retirement age which creates potential for local employment for younger residents. (Source: urbanMetrics, Economic Sectors Analysis, 2007)
60% of Newcomers to Canada Have Poor Literacy
A recent TD Economics Bank study revealed that new immigrants are not being utilized to their full potential, costing Canada’s economy billions of dollars every year! Poor language and literacy skills are at the heart of the problem. About 6 in 10 newcomers have less than the desired level of literacy, the study says, and the employment rate for those with poor literacy skills is almost 20 percentage points lower than for those with the
desired level.
High Capacity Youth in High Performance Schools
Markham’s youth are served by 14 high schools, all of which have consistent high scores on standardized exams and have some of the highest rate of graduates attending universities. (Source: Wikipedia)
Lack of a Local Post-Secondary Learning
Seneca College (2 locations, Buttonville & Markham campuses) is the only local post-secondary educational research and training institution. Local transit also connect students to York University, Ryerson University, University of Ontario Institute of Technology and the University of Toronto, as well as to Toronto campuses of various colleges - most of these are within a 1 hour drive.
How do you think Markham is Performing on this topic?
What should Markham be aiming for over the long term?
What changes should Markham implement to get there?
Tell us what YOU think »
