Credentialism The Term In Canada For Education example essay topic

The purpose of post- secondary schooling: Credentialism "Credentialism- the term in Canada for education to be values as qualifications for jobs rather than for the knowledge and skills it provides". (Holloway, 2003. pg. 500). Increasingly in Canada, education is valued for job training rather than for its intrinsic interests. Canadians perceive the purpose of post -secondary schooling to be credentialism because: it leads to successful employment, creates prestige of being highly educated, and it prepares humans for future tasks in the workplace.

"All jobs, not just new jobs, demand higher levels of education and technical ability. Since 1990, the number of jobs requiring a university degree or post-secondary diploma has increased by 1.3 million. The total number of jobs available for people with less learning had decreased by 800,000. The more learning you have, the more likely it is that you will find a good job". (Holloway, 2003. pg. 75).

Students are encouraged to qualify for the jobs that they want by learning the necessary skills in a college or university program. Credentialism is necessary to obtain successful employment In today's society, being well educated is considered prestigious. A person's opinions, beliefs and advice will be considered differently according to their level of education. An individual with higher education will be greatly respected.

Prestige is an extreme part of Canadian society. Credentialism is needed to be considered prestigious. "The sciences and the humanities are all part of the human continuum. You cannot separate them and understand what it is to be fully human any more than you can remove the color from a Tom Thomson painting and still can call it art" (Holloway, 2003. pg. 79).

Credentialism is a key element of preparing one for what lies ahead in the future. Specific courses make individuals aware of life itself (humanities), what constitutes life (science), and applied knowledge for life (mathematics). Studying these courses due to credentialism, will allow the mind to emerge. It is evident the Canadians perceive the purpose of post- secondary education to be credentialism. Credentialism leads to successful employment, prestige of being highly educated, and it prepares humans for future tasks. "Students receive career counseling to select courses that provide the prerequisites for further education, and then to choose the post- secondary program that will earn them credentials for a job".

As the evidence proves, credentialism is the main purpose of post-secondary education.

Bibliography

Zucker, Marvin. Witte, Jane. Holloway, Garth. Holloway, Maureen. Individuals In A Diverse Society. Toronto: McGraw- Hill Ryerson Limited, 2003.