This report analyzes the alignment between education and employment among university graduates in Quebec. In a context where a growing proportion of the population is accessing higher education, it becomes essential to ensure that this investment in education translates into professional integration that reflects the skills acquired.

The analysis is based on microdata from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) and the National Graduates Survey (NGS), used to examine the rate of skilled employment among these graduates. The indicators examined suggest that Quebec’s university system performs relatively well, on a Canadian scale, in terms of alignment between education and employment. Graduates working in Quebec are more likely to hold jobs that match both their level and field of study. They also report higher job satisfaction and are more likely to choose the same field of study if they had to do it again.

However, inequalities persist in access to skilled employment, particularly based on immigrant status, visible minority status, and the presence of a disability. These findings highlight the importance of continuing to invest in the university system while ensuring its ongoing adaptation to labour market needs. This includes adjusting enrollment capacity in fields offering better employment prospects, strengthening practical training within university programs, and improving mechanisms that match the supply and demand of skills.

It is also important to support young people in their educational choices in order to encourage informed decision-making. At the same time, employers have a key role to play: they should become more involved in preparing graduates for professional life and adopt inclusive recruitment and management practices to fully leverage all available talent in the labour market.

Sustainable improvement in the alignment between education and employment requires coordinated action from educational institutions, employers, and public authorities.