A high-school diploma is increasingly seen as the minimum level of education required to participate in the labour market. To what extent do Canadian provinces provide easily accessible pathways to individuals who want to obtain this essential credential? This section explores the differing routes to obtaining a high-school diploma (or its equivalent) in five Canadian provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Québec and Nova Scotia. Section 4.1 provides a detailed overview of the various options available in each province. Section 4.2 presents the best available data on how many adults actually participate in each of these options. Section 4.3 provides a summary of key findings.
Adults without a high-school diploma have a number of different options for upgrading their credentials (Table 4.1). Most provinces allow adults to pursue either a regular secondary diploma or a special diploma that has been modified to meet the specific needs of adult learners. Learners who do not want to take high-school credit courses have three options: write the General Educational Development (GED) test in order to obtain a high-school equivalency certificate; take upgrading courses in a college setting to prepare themselves for a specific post-secondary program; or, write the Test of Workplace Essential Skills (TOWES), to demonstrate that they have specific workplace skills. Finally, adults, whose skills are below a certain level, have the option of participating in a literacy and basic skills program.
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Secondary diploma |
The same credential awarded to students in the regular school system. |
| Adult secondary diploma | A modified credential designed for adults. The emphasis is on demonstrated achievement in core educational subjects such as language skills and math. |
| GED | A test-based, internationally recognized credential accepted by most employers and some post-secondary institutions as the equivalent of a high-school diploma. |
| Academic upgrading |
Most colleges offer upgrading programs that prepare adult learners without a high-school diploma to pursue post-secondary education |
| TOWES | A test-based credential that demonstrates an individual is prepared for specific tasks and/or occupations in the labour market. |
| Literacy and basic skills |
Programs to help adults bring their literacy skills up to a level that is roughly equivalent to grade 10. |