A study by the Ministry of Education into the benefits of tertiary certificates and diplomas has found that women with diplomas are likely to have better health, have higher overall life satisfaction, and are more likely to read to their preschool children than women with no qualifications.

The study examines the economic and social benefits associated with tertiary certificates and diplomas. These include employment, income, well-being, social participation and intergenerational benefits.

The clearest evidence of social outcomes from tertiary certificates and diplomas is for greater maternal support for their children’s learning. These effects are largely independent of employment and income. Mothers who have diplomas are also likely to have more books in the home, which has been shown to have a strong relationship to children’s reading ability.

The study finds that, as well as the social benefits to women, diplomas also have employment benefits for men and women, with similar employment rates as holders of bachelors degrees though with slightly lower income. The social benefits to men of gaining a diploma are less evident, according to the study.

Attaining level 1 to 3 certificates has economic and employment benefits for learners, compared to having no qualifications at all. However, the social benefits for people with level 1 to 3 certificates are similar to those of people with no qualifications.

Level 4 certificates are associated with higher employment and income than school qualifications. Men with level 4 certificates have very good rates of employment and relatively high incomes, probably due to the high demand for trades qualifications at this level. There is some evidence for better social outcomes for women with level 4 certificates, but less so for men.

Thanks to sean dreilinger @ Flickr for the photo