Literacy and numeracy among off-reserve First Nations people and Métis: Do higher skill levels improve labour market outcomes?

May 18, 2016

Statistics Canada released a study that examines the literacy and numeracy skills of off-reserve First Nations and Métis adults, focusing on the factors and labour market outcomes associated with higher skill levels.

Some highlights:

• Off-reserve First Nations and Métis adults have lower literacy and numeracy scores than non-Aboriginal adults. For example, just over one-third (35%) of off-reserve First Nations people and 50% of Métis aged 25 to 65 had higher literacy scores (level 3 or higher), compared with 57% among non-Aboriginal adults.
• For off-reserve First Nations, Métis and non-Aboriginal adults, a higher level of education was associated with higher literacy and numeracy skills. Among those with a university degree, however, the proportion of off-reserve First Nations adults with higher skills remained lower than that of non-Aboriginal adults.
• Among those who had higher literacy skills (level 3 or higher), off-reserve First Nations adults aged 25 to 54 had a 75% probability to be employed, compared with 87% among Métis adults and 91% among non-Aboriginal adults.
• Non-Aboriginal adults aged 25 to 54 with lower literacy skills (level 2 or lower) were more likely to be employed than off-reserve First Nations adults with higher skills (level 3 or higher), even after accounting for other factors related to the probability of employment.
• Among those who were employed, off-reserve First Nations and Métis workers who had higher skill levels were as likely as their non-Aboriginal counterparts to work in a managerial or professional occupation.

The full article is available on the Statistics Canada website.