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.

2.1 - Secondary school diploma or equivalent (highest)

This category includes persons who have obtained a secondary or high school certificate or its equivalent and who have not obtained any higher degrees, certificates or diplomas. Secondary school diploma or equivalent includes academic or vocational high school diplomas or certificates as may be obtained by graduating from secondary school. It also includes successfully completing a high school equivalency test such as the General Educational Development (GED) test, or obtaining an Adult Basic Education (ABE) certificate where it is equivalent to the completion of secondary school. Persons who obtained a Secondary School Vocational Diploma (SSVD) or Diplôme d'études professionnelles (DEP) or any other postsecondary certificate diploma or degree are excluded from this category.

Note: In the 2011 National Household Survey, 'Secondary school diploma or equivalent (highest)' is referred to as 'High school diploma or equivalent'.

2.2 - 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 a Secondary School Vocational Diploma (SSVD) or Diplôme d'études professionnelles (DEP) are included here. This category also includes persons who have obtained a journeyman/woman certificate in the trades through successful completion of the examinations for a Certificate of Qualification (COQ) 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.

2.3 - 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 nurse's qualifications at the bachelor level or above obtained at university-affiliated faculty 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.

2.4 - University certificate or 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.