Comparison of immigrant and Canadian-born trades and university educational attainment in Alberta

Using data from the School-Work Transitions Survey (SWT 1996/2003), my study examines immigrant and Canadian-born Alberta youth across trades and university educational attainment while controlling for several socio-demographic variables as well as grades and parental encouragement. Findings indicate significant differences between immigrant and non-immigrant in terms of trades- related PSE. Multinomial logit analysis shows that Alberta immigrant youth are significantly more likely than their Canadian-born counterparts to attain trades-related PSE credentials. Important factors explaining these differences include parental encouragement and high school grades.