Minister releases CareerSearch 2004

Today, Tom Hedderson, Minister of Education, officially released CareerSearch 2004 which provides students, parents, policy makers, program administrators and the general public with follow-up information on students who graduated from public and private post-secondary institutions in 2002.

CareerSearch provides current information on the job prospects, salaries and debt levels of recent graduates. Knowing the labour market outcomes of programs allows students to make informed choices regarding their career planning goals and post-secondary study. CareerSearch helps ensure that the institutions are accountable for the programs they offer.

"I am pleased to report that more of our post-secondary graduates are choosing to remain in the province after graduation. This is great news for our economy and our future. Out-migration of MUN undergraduates has dropped significantly from 28 per cent of graduates of 2000 to 22 per cent of graduates from 2002. Similarly, the out-migration of college graduates has fallen from 20 per cent to 14 per cent," said the minister.

Graduates of programs such as Memorial masters programs, three-year College of the North Atlantic programs and journeyperson trades indicate very high labour market results in terms of full-time employment. The employment rates for nursing school graduates and Marine Institute diploma graduates are also quite good. Similarly, graduates from Memorial masters programs, three-year college programs and journeyperson trades indicate high labour market results in terms of wages. The wages reported by nursing school graduates and marine diploma graduates are also significant.

"CareerSearch 2004 shows that graduates in general are finding employment. Approximately 75 per cent of graduates from most programs found their first full-time job prior to graduation or within three months of graduating," said Minister Hedderson.

This CareerSearch report will be distributed to all school district offices, high schools and HRLE and HRSDC offices in the province. In addition, the on-line searchable database version of CareerSearch has been updated to reflect the results of these graduates of 2002. The link www.gov.nl.ca/careersearch allows you to research potential career choices on-line.

"I want to thank the federal government through HRSDC and the Labour Market Development Agreement for their financial contribution to this important initiative. This project is an excellent example of how federal and provincial partners continue to work together for the benefit of our students," said the minister.

The report is based on the results of a telephone survey of graduates of 2002 approximately one year following their graduation. Nearly 7,600 students graduated at that time and approximately 66 per cent responded to this survey.

Ministerial Statement - CareerSearch 2004

Media contact: Lynn Salter, Communications, (709) 729-0048 or 685-5000

2004 11 30                             10:15 a.m.