TORONTO – Long before the COVID-19 pandemic began, employers were ringing the alarm on the growing disconnect between the skills needed for the jobs of today and the future and what students are learning at school.
“The disruptions to education will mean a whole generation or more is falling further behind,” Express CEO Bill Stoller said. “Getting back to the pre-pandemic status quo won’t be enough, and Canadians are in general agreement that we’re witnessing the creation of a ‘lost generation.’”
The survey also found nearly 8 in 10 (78%) of Canadians say school disruptions will pose long- and short-term challenges to young people’s performance at school and in their future workplaces.
Then, the COVID-19 pandemic caused the closure of schools, leading to more than a year and a half of on-again-off-again remote learning. As a result, the problem of skill shortages already threatening Canada’s economy has now become an even more dire situation.
Canadians are very worried about the consequences of school disruptions, and more than 4 in 5 (82%) think a “lost generation of students”—a generation that does not have all the skills necessary to be successful in the workforce—will be a problem for employers in Canada. What’s more, over 4 in 10 Canadians (43%) do not think Canada is taking the right steps to help students recover and adjust to the pandemic disruptions. This is according to a new survey by The Harris Poll, commissioned by Express Employment Professionals.
The results of the survey, as well as the long-term personal, professional, mental and financial ramifications of remote learning for students and companies, are explored in a new white paper out today from Express Employment Professionals: “A Lost Generation: How Pandemic School Closures and Remote Learning Threaten to Widen the Skills Gap.”
In addition, most Canadians say that there are a range of other negative impacts that will impact students affected by school disruptions:
- 81% say it harms their ability to socialize with others
- 81% say it is harming their mental health
- 77% say it is hurting development of hard skills
- 76% say it is hurting development of soft skills
Two-thirds (66%) of Canadians agree that the emergence of a lost generation of students combined with the rapid retirement of Baby Boomers means Canada’s “workforce is in trouble.”
Beyond the implications for students and employers, the ripple effects of disrupted education are predicted to be a drag on economic growth for a generation—if lawmakers, employers and educators do not act swiftly to rethink and improve the education system, not just in the short term but for the long haul.
Other highlights of the white paper include:
- School closures creating domino effects that further strain the workforce
- Minority and disadvantaged students hardest hit
- Disruption today means lost earnings tomorrow—and lost GDP
- Parents concerned about mental health and other behaviors in their children
- Accelerating the pre-existing demographic crisis
- Fixing the problem
“The start of this new school year is an inflection point with big implications in the coming years,” Stoller said. “Intervention now is imperative to save this ‘lost generation’ and the good news is it’s not too late. Change will take a concerted effort by many entities, but it’s well worth the investment.”
