This report examined a range of evidence from the Canadian experience with PISA and YITS and evaluated the value of combining international assessments of competences in real-life activities with longitudinal follow up data as tools for developing evidence for policy making. It demonstrates the significant long term investment in the linkage of data on individuals over several points in time in relation to their early competencies, as well as their choices, aspirations and behaviours, can have a major pay-off in understanding educational and labour market outcomes in young adulthood. Replicating this experience at an international level could only increase the advantages and benefits of such an effort.