ABSTRACT
Graduates’ academic preparation significantly enhances their employability in a competitive global economy. This study aimed to determine the profile of Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED) graduates in terms of educational, professional, and employment status; assess the competencies learned during college; and propose an enrichment program to enhance graduating students' competencies. Utilizing a descriptive-quantitative research design, data were collected from 101 respondents via a survey questionnaire distributed through Google Forms. The findings revealed that most BSED graduates, primarily English majors, completed their education in 2019 with strong academic performance and aspirations to pursue master’s degrees. Many were employed in private institutions to gain experience, but underemployment due to job mismatches was a common issue. Critical competencies such as communication, interpersonal skills, flexibility, adaptability, and organization were deemed highly relevant to their current roles. The study concluded that while graduates exhibit strong employability, there is a need for additional support in licensure exam preparation and enrichment programs focusing on collaboration and classroom management. Continuous evaluation of academic programs was recommended to better align preparation with workforce demands.
Keywords: Employability, employment, underemployment, competency, relevance, job mismatch, Bachelor of Secondary Education
INTRODUCTION
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), which are in charge of creating capable, highly qualified people ready for future tasks, are reflected in the employability of graduates (Pentang et al., 2022). In order to ensure compliance with local and global standards, tracer studies allow HEIs to evaluate educational outcomes and characterize their graduates (Cornillez Jr. et al., 2021). While Philippine HEIs deal with issues including underemployment, education-job mismatches, and the need for enhanced abilities globally, highly regarded colleges like MIT and Harvard lead in employability (Global Employability University Rankings, 2022; Jaymalin, 2019). In order to enhance career readiness, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) keeps an eye on employability metrics and supports the incorporation of employability skills in curriculum (Aida & Sabil, 2022). When dealing with competitive labor marketplaces, skills like communication, critical thinking, and adaptation are essential (Bacay & Realiza, 2022). However, because education and market demands don't align, many graduates—including those in the teaching profession—face unemployment or find work in unrelated disciplines (Cacho et al., 2022; Manila Times, 2022). The employability of Bicol College BSED graduates (2019–2022) is examined in this tracer research, which highlights the need for program improvements to better prepare teachers. HEIs can guarantee graduates' success in the teaching profession and beyond by filling these gaps and bringing their programs into compliance with national and international standards.
Bridging the skills gap between education and employment, particularly in matching the abilities of graduates with workforce demands, is a difficulty for the Philippine education sector. By focusing on quality education and hiring more teachers, the Department of Education (DepEd) has made progress in resolving these problems (Ombay, 2022). However, due to a lack of prospects and job mismatches, many teacher education graduates end up underemployed or choosing occupations unrelated to their degrees (UniTeam, 2022). In order to address these issues, a complete strategy is needed, which includes updating HEI curricula to highlight important skills like teamwork, cultural sensitivity, and emotional intelligence—all of which are essential in today's changing educational environment (MIT, 2022). HEIs may generate graduates who are not only academically qualified but also possess the practical skills required to succeed in a cutthroat global economy by conducting routine program evaluations and strategically aligning their programs with labor market demands. This study emphasizes how crucial it is to improve BSED programs in order to guarantee that graduates are not only employable but also able to make significant contributions to the field of education in the future.
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