Cross-Sectional Inquiry on Employability and Employment Status of Bachelor of Secondary Education Graduates (2016-2018): A Tracer Study

Abstract

Higher education institutions are expected to produce quality and competitive graduates for the job market and nation-building. In realizing this role, the Bukidnon State University needs to ensure that graduates may land a job-relevant and aligned with their education and training. With this, a tracer study was conducted to verify whether the three batches of graduates are employed and are employable. It ascertained their employability based on their work experience from graduation to the present job. It employed a cross-sectional method and data mining for the information of 326 graduates. The results revealed that the majority of graduates had jobs relevant to their education and training; yet, there was a significant difference in the employability of graduates across batches, except in terms of gender. Biological Science, Social Studies, and Math graduates were employable within the first six and twelve months compared to graduates from other curricula. It was claimed that the BukSU had prepared BSE graduates for employment. These results have implications for the strategic options in improving the programs. The study made some recommendations for future tracer initiatives.

Employment, Employability, and Competencies of the Bachelor of Secondary Education Graduates

“…Noticeably, the employment to teachingrelated works has decreased to 56.3 percent. These results are lower than the previous tracer conducted, wherein 89 percent of the 2018 graduates, and 81 percent of 2016 graduates had been employed to teaching-related jobs (Caingcoy et al, 2020).…”

“…Time does matter in obtaining a permanent job tenure. This reality was shown also in previous batches covered in previous tracer wherein only 60 and 40 percent of the 2016 and 2017 graduates, respectively, had permanent status in their employment (Caingcoy et al, 2020). This scenario was recorded after two or three years from graduation period.…”

“…However, there is a scarcity of research on the employment status of graduates (Infante, Junco, & Marquez, 2014). One of these was our previous tracer that covered both the employability International Journal of Research in Education and Science (IJRES) 873 and employment status of the three batches of graduates (Caingcoy & Barroso, 2020). Much more, there is a need to establish an inventory of employability skills among graduates, including the adequacy of competencies acquired in college.…”

Tracer Study of Teacher Education Graduates of Western Philippines University - Puerto Princesa Campus: Basis for Curriculum Review and Revision

“…Several teacher education institutions in the Philippines conducted Graduate Tracer Studies (GTS) to track and profile their Bachelor in Elementary Education (BEED) and Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED) graduates (Abas et al, 2020;Abela et al, 2015;Aclan et al, 2018;Almejas et al, 2017;Antiojo, 2018;Aquino et al, 2015;Bihag-boholano, 2012;Caingcoy & Barroso, 2020;Cañizares, 2015;Cornillez et al, 2021;Daguplo et al, 2019;Gines, 2014;Oboza, 2017;Rojas & Rojas, 2016;Reusia et al, 2020;Tutor et al, 2019;Ulanday, 2021). Abas et al (2020) showed that the majority of the graduates are hired, notwithstanding the various competencies gained throughout their college years.…”

“…Assuring quality graduates has presented a challenge for higher education institutions (HEIs) offering teacher education programs in providing relevant teacher training and preparation to meet the demands of a growing society and challenging times (Aquino et al, 2015;Daguplo et al, 2019;Coman et al, 2020;Pentang et al, 2021). It is the responsibility of HEIs to produce quality and competitive graduates (Abela et al, 2020;Caingcoy & Barroso, 2020) and to ensure that they are employed (Abas et al, 2020;Aclan et al, 2018). Higher education is valued based on its capacity to give possibilities for graduates seeking future employment and creating a strong professional path (Ali & Jalal, 2018;Rojas & Rojas, 2016) since one can only obtain a successful career if they have obtained appropriate education and training (Bihag-boholano, 2012;Ulanday, 2021).…”