Opinion: Challenges of 2020 point to the importance of a post-secondary education

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With September comes a new school year and a sense of renewed possibilities for students and the community. This September will be unlike any other we have experienced, with measures to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 as well as a groundswell of concern about racism and inclusion. But, the hopes and dreams at the heart of a student’s journey through university are stronger than ever. And the role post-secondaries play in building an economically resilient future that is inclusive of all members of the community is greater too.  

A post-secondary education has the power to transform individuals and lead to healthy, prosperous and progressive societies. For this reason, students, their families, employers and all levels of government have a vested interest in the success of post-secondary institutions. As we continue to navigate difficult times, Alberta, more than ever, needs the transformative thinking and solutions higher education can enable. 

Advanced Education figures show nearly 70 per cent of Albertans will pursue more education within 10 years of entering Grade 10, with 80 per cent of those seeking degree, diploma and certificate programs to get the technical and occupation-specific skills that lead to better employment prospects. But there is an interesting shift taking place. Employers in Alberta, indeed across Canada, now indicate their greatest need is for employees who can solve problems, think critically, communicate and work in teams. 

As experienced leaders in business and education, we know building technical, cognitive, social and emotional skills enable people to find meaning in what is happening in the world, figure out how to contribute and navigate a path forward. While automation and artificial intelligence mainly mimic what is repeatable, the public and private sectors need individuals who approach challenges and opportunities with flexibility, creativity and critical analysis. Technology can support these skills, but cannot replace them.  

Collaboration among government, business, nonprofits and post-secondary institutions is also key. There is a strong history of collaboration in Alberta and a desire to do more. Work-integrated learning opportunities, including co-ops and practicums, create a highly skilled workforce and a globally competitive economy in Alberta. Over half of all undergraduates in Canada are in some form of work-integrated learning programs and those who are, report feeling better prepared for the future.

In the midst of a tough economy and a global pandemic, it is understandable that people would question public and personal investment in post-secondary education. We hear people asking, “Is it still worth getting a degree?” As the chief executive officer of a public company and the president and vice-chancellor of a university, we are in strong agreement that the answer is not just “yes,” but “seize the opportunity now.”  

Increasingly, post-secondary education plays a critical role in transforming Alberta’s economy and creating lasting solutions for society. For individuals, an investment in higher education reaps rewards beyond the workplace. The Conference Board of Canada, in fact, predicts they will have better health outcomes and life satisfaction, and be more likely to be engaged in the community — an offshoot of the many community service learning opportunities that are increasingly part of a post-secondary education. Many of the answers society is seeking right now will come from those we are educating today.  

Historians tell us positive change comes from challenging times. We are indeed in a crisis as our families and communities mourn the loss of loved ones, jobs and identities, and many describe their experiences in society as ones of inequity and exclusion. Albertans, young and old, deserve to have the educational opportunities that will promote individual and collective success. We look to the future with a renewed sense that post-secondary education can and must play a critical role in finding our way forward and emerging out the other side stronger. There has never been a better time for collaboration and public and personal investment in a post-secondary education. 

Dawn Farrell is president and chief executive officer of TransAlta Corp. and chancellor of Mount Royal University. Tim Rahilly is president and vice-chancellor of Mount Royal University.