Classification of highest certificate, diploma or degree

2 - Certificate, diploma or degree

This category includes persons who have obtained any certificates, diplomas or degrees, or their equivalents.

2.2 - Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree (highest)

This category includes persons who have obtained a certificate, diploma or degree beyond the secondary school level from a postsecondary institution or a vocational certificate, diploma or degree awarded by provincial/territorial or federal authorities, such as the journeyperson designation in the trades or teaching and nursing certificates. Possession of a postsecondary qualification does not imply that the person has also completed a secondary school (high school) diploma or equivalency certificate. Persons who have a secondary school diploma or equivalency certificate as their only completed educational credential are excluded from this category.

2.2.1 - Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma (highest)

This category includes persons who have obtained a certificate, diploma or equivalent award in the skilled trades or in entry-level vocations, career and technical occupations. This may allow them to obtain or maintain an industry, government or professional designation. Persons who obtained qualifications from secondary level vocational training programs in the province of Quebec - such as the Diplôme d'études professionnelles/Diploma of Vocational Studies (DEP/DVS) - are included in this category. This category also includes persons who have obtained a journeyperson certificate in the trades through successful completion of the examinations for a Certificate of Qualification (C of Q) as well as persons with qualifications in the trades that are higher than that of pre-employment, apprenticeship or entry level. Persons who also have a postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree, other than an apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma, are excluded from this category.

2.2.2 - College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma (highest)

This category includes persons who obtained a postsecondary certificate or diploma from a community college; a CEGEP (either general/pre-university or technical); an institute of technology; a school of nursing; a private business school; a private or public trade school; or a vocational school. Included in this category are persons who obtained a teaching or nursing certificate awarded by a provincial department of education, with the exception of teachers' or nurses' qualifications at the bachelor level or above obtained at university-affiliated faculties of education or nursing. Persons with an apprenticeship or trades certificate and no other college, CEGEP or other postsecondary and non-university certificate or diploma are excluded from this category. Persons with university certificates, diplomas or degrees are also excluded from this category.

2.2.3 - University certificate, diploma or degree (highest)

This category refers to persons who have obtained a university (level) certificate or diploma or degree from a degree-granting institution.