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[Johann]

...I think it's interesting that only 1 or 2 public colleges in Canada issue associate degrees.....I think that is a very interesting variable in this equation. What are your thoughts about how that plays out? I wonder if that raises the bar enough to drive up completion rates?

Many colleges - but (I believe I said) only in 1 or 2 Provinces. I think Associate Degrees are as common these days in British Columbia as anywhere in the U.S. But not here. Despite the paucity of Associate Degrees In Ontario, there are a few programs in our CC's structured as four-year degrees. That's relatively new. For a couple of examples, there is a 4-year Game Design degree at Sheridan College and a 4-year Paralegal degree at Humber College.

Still, the bulk of programs at Ontario CCs are two or three year diploma courses, with one or more distinct degree paths (Canadian or US schools) optionally available afterwards. I certainly hear more horror-stories of university grads without jobs than college grads in a similar predicament. I know personally a couple of university grads who couldn't secure decent employment. They ended up taking college programs and getting jobs in the fields studied there. One University arts grad now works with children and an unemployed psych grad successfully re-trained at college for IT work and now makes a good living - and likes it.

There is a degree-ifying trend in some occupations. Nursing used to be a 3-year college diploma course. It's now been moved to the University as a 4-year B.Sc. in Nursing. In general terms, most people who want practical knowledge for the workplace seek it in colleges. In Ontario, degree programs at CCs are still in the minority. Those whose interests and ambitions are more academic and theoretical - go to universities. I feel that as long as the right people go to the schools their ambitions, specific interests and abilities are suited for -- outcomes (including completion rates and subsequent employment numbers) should be as good as they'll get. Nothing's perfect.

Malcolm Gladwell deals well and originally with converse, conflicting situations - viz. "Outliers." I assume he's also made a good deal of money by now, from his interest in them. I respect that - more power to him. I'll not mess with anything he's said.

Johann