Across all comparator countries, younger adults—those aged 25–34 years—participate more in non-formal job-related education than older adults—those aged 55–64. In Canada, 32 per cent of Canadian adults aged 25–34 partake in non-formal job-related education, compared with just 19 per cent of Canadian adults aged 55–64.
Among comparator countries, Canada places 8th out of 14 countries, and receives a “C” grade, for the share of younger adults participating in non-formal job-related education and training. It ranks ahead of a number of comparator countries, including Austria (26 per cent), Australia (26 per cent), Ireland (23 per cent), Denmark (23 per cent), and the U.S. (23 per cent), yet well behind the top-performing countries of Sweden (44 per cent), Norway (44 per cent), and Finland (40 per cent).

Canada ranks 5th out of 14 countries, and receives a “C” grade, for its participation rate of older adults (aged 55–64 years) in non-formal job-related education and training. With only 19 per cent of older adults participating in educational activities, Canada sits well behind the top-performing economies of Sweden and Norway, where over a third of older adults participate in non-formal job-related education and training.

With mandatory retirement no longer in effect in Canada, more and more Canadians are working past the age of 65. Many will require ongoing skills development and retraining. It would serve Canada well to invest more in the ongoing education and skills development of its population.