Industry Required Competencies as Predictors of Graduates’ Employability

Abstract

This study primarily focused on understanding the required competencies of the
industry for our graduates and the factors that predict employability of graduates. It
answered the following objectives: a) determine the competencies required by
companies in hiring new graduate students and graduates with one-year experience;
b) find out difference in competencies that predict employability of graduates when
new and one year graduates were compared. This research utilized descriptive
methods and used purposive sampling in the selections of 32 participants who are
supervisors and human resource managers that were responsible for hiring and
selection of employees within the CALABARZON area (Region IV-A). The study
utilized CHED Memorandum Order No. 20, series of 2015 (CMO) and Graduate
Employability Indicators (GEI) Employers Survey by the Australia Learning and
Teaching Council as the basis in the development of questionnaire. The
participants answered the validated survey questionnaire to generate the findings of
this study. The data gathered were tallied and interpreted through a statistical tool
and utilized mean score, t test and Pearson r. The findings showed that employers
expect new graduates to must have competencies such as: computing
professionalism & ethics; communication; and individual and team work; work
attitude; and work spirit. While competencies that predict employability of
graduates are working quality; working attitude; working spirit; and working
efficiency. The study implied the necessity to look at the alignment of curriculum
that would produce competencies among graduates. It is recommended to increase
the number of participants and involve more stakeholders in the enhancement of
the curriculum.