ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½

ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ graduates continue to find employment in their chosen fields, even as the global pandemic caused thousands of job losses in New Brunswick, according to the latest Graduate Follow-Up Survey conducted by the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training, and Labour.

The annual survey, which was carried out November 22-28, 2020 and targeted graduates of the Class of 2019, indicates a graduate employment rate of 91%, slightly higher than the 89% reported in the 2019 survey of 2018 graduates. Of the 91%, 94% were employed in New Brunswick, with 82% reporting employment directly related to their field of study and 90% indicating their work is in some way related to their training.

“In a year of widespread workforce disruption, with thousands of New Brunswickers experiencing unemployment as a result of COVID-19 shut-downs, our graduate employment rate actually increased slightly, from 89% last year to 91% this year,” said Mary Butler, President and CEO of ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½. “That tells us that ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ learners are graduating with the skills security to weather the storm.”

With automation and digitalization rapidly changing the world of work, said Butler, skills security will be an individual’s most valuable resource.

“The success of our graduates in securing employment in their chosen fields, right here in New Brunswick, is an important indicator of ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½’s role in the province’s economy,” she added. “Our skills development opportunities are directly related to the New Brunswick labour market, giving our graduates the best chance for employment and providing industry with the skilled workforce they need.”

The results of the one-year survey are consistent with a 2020 follow-up of 2017 graduates, which shows a labour force participation rate of 94% among respondents three years after graduation.

About ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½:

With six campuses across New Brunswick, ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ contributes to New Brunswick’s social and economic prosperity by supporting the aspirations of individual learners, seizing the opportunities of the labour market, and collaboratively solving the challenges of communities and industry.  In addition to more than 90 certificate and diploma programs, ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ also provides specialized and customized training to meet the needs of specific sectors and communities.  Find out more information on ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ programs by visiting: .

MEDIA CONTACT:

Tanya Greer, Strategic Communications Lead, ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½

506-440-9105 tanya.greer@nbcc.ca