ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE – GRADUATE SCHOOL
ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE – GRADUATE SCHOOL
TRACER STUDY OF THE GRADUATES OF ILOCOS SUR
COMMUNITY COLLEGE UNDER TechVoc (TESDA)
PROGRAM
MICHAEL B. VALENCIA
ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
STA. MARIA, ILOCOS SUR
GRADUATE SCHOOL
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURE
(MAJOR IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT)
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Chapter I
Introduction
Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) connect
education and the world unlocking the potential of young people and
adults for a brighter future (UNESCO, n. d) TVET is a type of education
and training the focuses on providing student with practical skills and
knowledge for a specific trade or Vocation. It is often considered an
alternative to traditional academic routes, such as university or
collage, and is designated to prepare students for a specific career or
occupation (TVET Journal,2024). In the Philippine, pursuit of economic
growth and development has been the major concern because despite
of many degree holders and professionals, unemployment is still a
serious issue that need to be addressed. With this concern, Philippines
had placed significant emphasis on TVET as a strategic pathway to
produce skilled workforce capable of meeting the demand of the
globalized economy. United Nations Educational, Scientific, and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO, n. d) cited that the overarching short-
term and long-term objective TVET in the country is to ensure national
development through accelerated human capital development by
providing lifelong learning opportunities for all. TVET role is to build a
competitive and socially inclusive workforce in the Philippines. As such,
Technical Education and
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Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the country’s agency
responsible for TVET, is doing all efforts to adapt with the rapid
technological developments to improve the labor market which was
once become low because of the Corona virus pandemic.
In Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Sur Community College (ISCC) have been the
forefront of providing accessible and industry-relevant education and
training programs. The college aims to educate and train the youth of
Ilocos Region to enhance labor productivity and produce responsible
citizens in an environment where educational access is equitable. The
vision of the college is to be a center of excellence for academic,
ladderized programs; Technical and Vocational Education Training
(TVET) Programs; a self-sustainable educational Institution with highly
competitive teaching and non-teaching staff, with state-of-the-art
facilities, Laboratories, institutional materials producing highly- trained
and globally competitive graduate. With strong commitment to
academic excellence and holistic development, ISCC offers a wide
range of programs including bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees,
diploma courses, and certificate programs in various fields such as
business, education, information technology, and hospitality
management. ISCC offers TVET programs that prepares students to
have employable skills/competencies at every academic year level for
them to be competitive in the different industries, either locally or
globally.
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The success of the program in turning out graduates who can find
jobs right away and make a significant contribution to the socio-
economic advancement of the area is still up to debate. A thorough
assessment of the TVET programs outcomes is necessary to close
these gaps and provide guidance for improved policies and progress.
These gaps include knowledge gaps; skills gaps; and performance
gaps. Roundtable Learning (2024) stressed that knowledge gap occurs
when an employee doesn’t know the information needed to complete
task in their role. A skills gap on the other hand, is more tactile,
meaning the skill set of an employee doesn’t align with the skills
needed to perform their job while performance gap is difference
between how an employee is expected to perform and how they
actually perform.
TVET Journal (2024), stressed that one of the key benefits of TVET is
its ability to help fill the enumerated gaps in the current job market.
TVET can help address these by providing students with the practical,
relevant skills and training they need to succeed in specific careers.
Many TVET programs are designed in collaboration with local
employers; so they can be tailored to meet the specific needs of the
job market. This ensures that students are learning the skills that are
most in demand and that they are well-prepared to enter the workforce
upon graduation.
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In addition, TVET also offers a more practical, hands-on approach to
learning that can be particularly appealing to some students. Rather
than spending years in a classroom learning theory, TVET students
have the opportunity to learn through doing, by working on real-world
projects and gaining hands-on experience in their chosen fields.
This type of experiential learning can be a valuable complement to
traditional academic learning and can help students develop the skills
and confidence they need to succeed in their careers.
With the aim of adding to the body of knowledge on the efficacy of
TVET in the area ad offering practical insight for improving the
College’s program quality relevance, tracer studies which follow up on
graduates to access their education experience, employment status,
and career trajectories have become an invaluable tools for evaluating
the impact of TVET programs by tracing the path of ISCC graduates
under Technical Vocational(TechVoc) programs.
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Background of the Study
In order to prepare people for the workforce, technical-vocational
education and training (TVET) programs—like those provided by Ilocos
Sur Community College under the Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA)—are essential. It is crucial to evaluate
the graduates and their influence on the local market in order to
guarantee the efficacy of these programs.
A tracer study is a type of research methodology used to monitor
graduates' development following their graduation from school or
training. Researchers can obtain important information regarding
graduates' work situation by following up with them. salary range,
contentment at work, and general professional growth.
A tracer study would shed light on the following in relation to the
TechVoc program at Ilocos Sur Community College.
Employability: The degree to which recent graduates can find
work in their profession of choice or adjacent businesses.
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Skill Relevance: The degree to which the programs' gained skills
and abilities align with the needs of the labor market.
Income and Career Advancement: The graduates' earning
potential and professional advancement.
Job Satisfaction: The degree to which graduates are content with
their current jobs.
Further Education and Training: Graduates' pursuit of further
education or training.
The institution can enhance its training methods, placement
services, and curriculum by making well-informed judgments
based on its awareness of these aspects. The study's conclusions
can also be utilized to support policies that uphold TVET
programs and highlight the importance of technical-vocational
education.
Theoretical Framework
The following theoretical frameworks will serve as the basis
for this tracer study:
Theory of Human Capital
According to this hypothesis, people spend money on education
and training in order to boost their potential for learning and
production. It is anticipated that graduates of Ilocos Sur
Community College will improve their employability and income
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by enhancing their human capital through the acquisition of
technical-vocational skills through the TESDA program.
Theory of Social Capital
The network of connections and resources that people can
access is referred to as social capital. The study will investigate
the ways in which the social capital that the college's program
has produced—such as alumni networks and business
partnerships—has impacted the career paths and general well-
being of its graduates.
Theory of Life Course
This idea highlights how life stages are interconnected and how
past experiences influence present and future events. The study
will determine the elements that have influenced the graduates'
current circumstances and goals by looking at their educational
and professional experiences.
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Framework of The Study
The following graphic shows the conceptual framework for this study
1. Input Variables (Independent Variables)
These refer to the factors affecting the graduates’ preparation and
competence in the TechVoc (TESDA) program.
o Demographic Profile:
Age
Gender
Civil status
Socioeconomic status
Educational attainment prior to TechVoc training
o Program Factors:
Type of TESDA course completed
Duration of training
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Curriculum relevance
Quality of instruction
Access to facilities and equipment
2. Process Variables (Mediating Variables)
These are the experiences and competencies acquired during the
program.
o Skills Development:
Technical skills
Soft skills (communication, teamwork, problem-solving)
Industry certification acquired (Agri Crops NC III)
o Internship/On-the-Job Training (OJT):
Duration and relevance of OJT
Industry partnerships
Mentorship received
3. Output Variables (Dependent Variables)
These refer to the outcomes or impacts of the program on the
graduates.
o Employment Status:
Employment rate (employed, unemployed, self-employed)
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Nature of employment (related or unrelated to TechVoc
course)
Job position and responsibilities
Duration of employment
o Income and Economic Benefits:
Monthly income
Job stability and promotion prospects
o Career Satisfaction:
Job satisfaction level
Alignment of job with personal and professional goals
4. Feedback Loop
Feedback from graduates and employers is critical for improving the
curriculum, instructional quality, and industry relevance of the TechVoc
(TESDA) program.
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Conceptual Framework Model
A diagram to illustrate the conceptual framework would involve:
Employment
Skills Status Feedback Loop
Demographic Development (continuous
Income and improvement
Program Internship/ Economic of the
Factor On-The-Job Benefits program)
Training
Career
Satisfaction
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Statement of the Problem
There is little genuine empirical on the result of TVET programs and
the effects on graduates, Job and career trajectories, despite the
government’s best effort to improved them through initiatives like
TESDA.
There are few studies that particularly at the experience and career
status of TechVoc graduates of Ilocos Sur Community College (ISCC)
In order to close this gap, the following is being looked into this
study:
1. What is the vocational placement and employment rate for
graduates of the ISCC TechVoc?
2. What degree of alignment exist between the TechVoc curriculum
and the actual employment requirements in the labor market?
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3. To what extent are graduates of ISCC TechVoc content with their
training education?
4. What competencies and skills did the graduates obtain and how
are they used in the workplace?
5. What training needs have companies and graduates identified?
Hypothesis
Hypothesis 1(Null Hypothesis)
The skills and knowledge required for employment in the local
labor market are not much different from those of graduates of
Ilocos Sur Community College's TechVoc programs.
Hypothesis 2(Alternative hypothesis)
The knowledge and skills that graduates of the TechVoc program
at Ilocos Sur Community College possess are very different from
what is actually required for jobs in the local labor market.
Hypothesis 3(Null Hypothesis)
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There is no discernible relationship between the graduates'
evaluation of the relevance of their TechVoc course to their present
role and their level of job satisfaction.
Hypothesis 4(Alternative Hypothesis)
There is a substantial correlation between graduates' evaluations
of how applicable their TechVoc course was to their current role and
their level of job satisfaction.
Hypothesis 5(Null Hypothesis)
There is little variation in the employment rates of graduates
from Ilocos Sur Community College's different TechVoc programs.
Hypothesis 6 (Alternative Hypothesis)
Graduates of the different TechVoc programs offered by Ilocos Sur
Community College have widely differing employment rates.
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Scope and limitation
With reference to the Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority (TESDA), the study will concentrate on the tracer study of
Ilocos Sur Community College (ISCC) alumni who finished TechVoc
programs. The employment, income, and job satisfaction of these
graduates will all be investigated in the research. Also, the connection
between the TechVoc curriculum, the learned proficiencies, and the
real work specifications will be looked at. The research, which would
encompass one or more batches of TechVoc graduates based on data
accessibility and availability, will take place in the province of Ilocos
Sur.
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The study is restricted to Ilocos Sur Community College graduates,
and its findings might not apply to other technical-vocational
institutions. Factors outside the researcher's control could have an
impact on the findings. such as shifts in the government's policies,
business trends, and economic conditions. Furthermore, the study will
be dependent on the respondents' correctness and completeness of
the data, which could induce bias. Furthermore, the study's timeline
might restrict how thoroughly the graduates' long-term job paths are
examined.
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Significance of the Study
For several reasons, the TechVoc (TESDA) programs tracer research
on graduates of Ilocos sur College is significant.
FOR ISCC: the outcome will provide useful data regarding how
its TechVoc programs produced graduates who are capable of
meeting the demand of the labor market. This information can
be utilized to strengthen industry ties, enhance career
counseling services, and enhance curriculum design.
FOR TESDA: evaluating the over-all effectiveness of the region
TechVoc program. The research will be conducted and TESDA
has the ability to identify its strengths and weaknesses and
subsequently implement the requires modification to evaluate
the quality of TVET programs throughout the nation.
FOR GRADUATES: This study will be able to identify prospects
for further skills development and professional advancement
based on the caliber and applicability of their education.
FOR INDUSTRY: The research will assist in identifying the
competencies and the sector, enabling improved connections
between career and educational option.
FOR POLICY MAKER: the research will help share the creation
of policies and initiatives meant to close the skills gap and
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improve graduate’s employability while also addressing the labor
market.
Objective of the study
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General
To ascertain Ilocos Sur Community College (ISCC) graduate’s
employment situation, salary level and job satisfaction in relation
to TechVoc (TESDA) programs.
Specific
To evaluate ISCC TechVoc graduates occupational placement
and employment rate.
To ascertain the ISCC TechVoc graduate’s income level in
accordance to their selected field of specialization.
To assess ISCC TechVoc graduate’s degree of job satisfaction.
To ascertain whether the TechVoc programs is relevant to the
real employment requirements as seen by the graduates.
To determine whatever abilities and skills graduates have gained
and how they apply them in the workplace.
Time and Place of the Study
The tracer study's data collecting will take place between February
and March of 2025. During this time, questionnaires will be given to
the chosen ISCC TechVoc graduatess from academic year 2011-2012
to academic year 2015-2016.
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The Ilocos Sur Region will be the primary location of this
investigation. concentrating on the ISCC alums; but, attempts will be
made to contact them at their present addresses if they have moved.
The researcher can make sure that data collection is done effectively
and within the allotted period by clearly defining the study's location a
Definition of Terms
General Term
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Tracer Study- An approach to research that tracks the
development of a particular group of people, in this case,
program graduates.
Graduates- Someone who has finished a training program or
course of study.
TechVoc- A form of education that emphasizes practical skills
and knowledge, technical-vocational education and training is
abbreviated as.
TESDA- The Philippine government's Technical Education Skills
Development Authority is in charge of advancing technical-
vocational education and training.
Ilocos Sur Community College- The particular educational
establishment where the graduates were enrolled.
Specific Terms
Respondent- A graduate who contributes information to the
tracer research.
Profile- A summary of the respondent's educational and
personal history, including their age, gender, courses taken, and
degree
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Employment Status- A respondent's present employment
status, including whether they are self-employed, employed,
unemployed, or planning to pursue more education.
Employment Rate- The proportion of recent graduates with
jobs.
Job Relevance- The degree to which a graduate's TechVoc
course is connected to their current position
Job Satisfaction- how content a recent graduate is with their
current position.
Skills Utilization- The degree to which a graduate can apply the
abilities and information they learned in their TechVoc course to
their present position
Challenges Encountered- Challenges or barriers graduates
encounter when looking for work or advancing their careers
Suggestions for Improvement- Graduates' suggestions for
enhancing Ilocos Sur Community College's Techvoc program
Migration- the transfer of graduates to another area for
employment or education.
Further Studies- Pursuing more training or higher education
Skill Gaps- disparities between the abilities graduates possess
and the abilities companies need.
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Review of Related Literature
Tracer studies have become an important instrument for assessing
the effectiveness of educational institutions and their programs. By
monitoring the progression of graduates after they finish their studies,
these studies offer significant insights into the relevance of academic
curricula, the job readiness of graduates, and the overall influence of
educational initiatives. This research aims to perform a tracer study on
the graduates of Ilocos Sur Community College (ISCC) who have
successfully completed the Technical Vocational Education and
Training (TVET) program administered by the Technical Education and
Skills Development Authority.
The main goals of this research are to evaluate the job status,
income levels, and skill application of graduates from ISCC-TVET.
Furthermore, this study will examine the obstacles and prospects
encountered by these graduates in the labor market, along with their
views on the quality of education and training they obtained at ISCC.
By obtaining a thorough understanding of these aspects, this research
aims to aid in enhancing TVET programs at ISCC and other comparable
institutions.
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This literature review will examine the theoretical foundations,
methodologies, and applications of tracer studies, placing special
emphasis on research conducted in the Philippines, particularly those
involving TVET graduates. It will investigate the importance of tracer
studies in assessing the efficacy of TVET programs, pinpointing
deficiencies in the existing literature, and stressing the possible
contributions of this research to the field.
Numerous research efforts have investigated the job prospects of
individuals who have completed different TechVoc (TESDA) programs.
Getting young people (ages 15 to 24) ready for the workforce is one
of the Philippines' biggest development issues. The Philippines is
experiencing high rates of dropouts, unemployment, and poor levels of
education, especially among young people. Senior high school TVET
instruction was incorporated to generate high
from TESDA, where these NCs are widely accepted as national
employment credentials and are frequently needed when hiring
qualified personnel both domestically and overseas. (Budhrani, et
al,2018).
In the Philippines, TVET schools contribute more to economic
growth. TVET to economic development in terms of employment,
earnings, skill use, and graduates' preparedness for the workforce.
Finally, there is no correlation between the employment status of
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graduates and workforce readiness in terms of knowledge, skills, and
attitude. The average monthly income of graduates in TechVoc does
not significantly differ based on geographic match or skills match, nor
does it have a significant relationship with their income (Rayan 2015).
The curriculum for grades K–12 also promises employability after
senior high school. To improve their employment after graduation,
underprivileged junior high school graduates should enroll in the
Technical Vocational Livelihood Program (TVL) courses. (Pajares et al.,
2018; Bacarra, 2016; Ismael & Mohammed, 2015). Additionally, the
Asian Development Bank (ADB, 2014 & ADB, 2015) states that funding
the TVL program could raise employee incomes and enhance job
prospects to 56%.
Not all employability skill categories are pertinent to employees'
advancement of contextual performance and success in the workplace,
according to (Abas,et.al 2016) on graduates' competency in
employability skills and job performance. Nonetheless, workers who
possess competences in particular employability skills that correspond
with their contextual behaviors will be better positioned to remain and
advance in their workplace and have an awareness of the demanding
requirements of various work environments. (Fernandez,2024).
Students in the Philippines' Senior High School (SHS) can select
a strand that will introduce them to their desired professional route,
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(Calasin, et,al 2021). Assume that one decides to enter the workforce
right away. If so, the senior high school provides a quicker route to
obtain the Technical Education and abilities Development Authority's
(TESDA) Certificate of Competencies (COCs) and National Certificate
(NC), which are used to apply for jobs in the country and abroad that
require a specific set of abilities.
Graduates with certificates are hired after graduation, according to
TESDA, and it's crucial to understand that TESDA improves their career
and helps them prevent mismatch. In less than a year, 72.8% of them
find employment in this nation after applying for a TESDA assessment;
the remaining 27.2% may have chosen to go overseas due to a lack of
options. (Ingco, et.al 2020).
A study on the state and future of technical education and its
impact on the development of labor for the industrial world was
conducted by (Concorde, 2009). He disclosed that finding work was not
a problem for technical course graduates. However, before they are
employed as normal workers in regional or national industries, they
must undergo retraining. He noted that there is a high demand in the
service group based on the output of technical education graduates,
especially in the manufacturing group employment projection or labor
market forecast (Balingbing, 2014).
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The creation of technical and vocational education and training
(TVET) was intended to help nations compete in the global economy in
light of the growing number of foreign labor market opportunities and
to guarantee that priority sectors have the critical skills they need. It
also aims to give low-income individuals who want to work but lack the
requisite education access to short-term, inexpensive education
(Madriaga, et.al 2016).
Every Filipino wants to complete their tertiary degree in order to
better their quality of life. However, in the creative profession, showing
your talents, output, and meeting deadlines is more important than the
quantity of credentials or certificates you earned in school.
Additionally, employers are willing to recruit recent high school
graduates, but most will only do so if they have successfully completed
the training phase before employing them on a full-time or regular
basis. Both the business and the employee who hopes to remain with
the company for a long time gain from this on-the-job training (Cabrera
2020).
In contrast to the rest of Asia, which is facing a shortage of
competent workers, the Philippines is in a unique situation (TESDA
2016). This indicates that the nation produces more graduates for the
industry than the majority of other nations. However, according to the
same assessment, tourism course curricula are inconsistent with
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worldwide service standards, which means that graduates frequently
find themselves in low-paying jobs (Sumaya,et.al 2023).
Information from family members or coworkers was the most common
way to find employment opportunities. 57% of respondents said their
current job was highly related to training, while 7% said it was
unrelated. The most common reason given for why a job was irrelevant
to training was the lack of opportunities for specialized work. The most
valuable skills for doing a job were thought to be communication,
problem-solving, and entrepreneurial abilities. The ability to employ
newly acquired knowledge and abilities was the most often cited factor
contributing to 57% of respondents' job satisfaction. Low pay was the
source of job unhappiness; in addition to their skills, some graduates'
interest in becoming Tech-Voc grads was the reason they were hired.
wasn't their area of expertise; instead, they engaged in employment
(Deogracias, et.al 2019).
In the Philippines, TVET produced significant results and
accomplishments, as well as the establishment of pertinent standards.
The employment of TVET graduates, the enhancement of their
industry-required skill set, and a more defined policy direction for the
nation's TVET implementation were all made possible by these
strategic efforts (Edralin,et.al 2023).
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Since the creation of the Philippine Qualification Framework,
technical education and vocational training (TVET) has been a crucial
tactic for increasing the employability of the Philippine labor force and
lessening the divide between skilled and unskilled workers as well as
between graduates who are employed and those who are not. For
Indigenous People in the Philippines, this study creates a competency-
based TVET framework or working model. In order to discover and
incorporate theoretical and culturally relevant disciplines into the
curriculum design of education and skills training for indigenous
peoples, TVET curriculum developers and policymakers will use it as an
intervention paradigm. In contrast to the current TVET program, it will
be a new framework (Gangoso, 2023).
According to TESDA, its responsibility is to guarantee the
employability of the high school graduates and youth who are not
enrolled in school through skill development. The impoverished are the
primary focus of their training initiatives. TESDA has been generating
millions of graduates annually and achieving a 63.5 percent
employment rate for the 2011–2013 timeframe. The organization
searches looking forward to a rise in its graduates' employment rate by
2015. (E.A Co,2015).
The graduates took a contract or provisional work status with an
average monthly salary ranging from Php 5,000.00 to Php 15,000.00
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less than a month after graduation and continued to do so for up to six
months. the position due to pay and benefits, and it is associated with
their course of study. After graduation, the graduates find that the
skills of critical thinking, problem-solving, effective communication,
and human interactions are highly helpful.(Pardo, et.al 2019).
According to (Gaddi,2024). Among senior high school graduates, the
most important learning competencies in SHS and the curriculum's
(performance requirements) relevance to contemporary endeavors are
highly regarded. It demonstrates that the institution's outcomes,
competencies, and standards are evident and applicable in higher
education, employment, and entrepreneurship.
Countries are under pressure to remain competitive in order to
survive due to the quick speed of globalization. As a result, human
resources can move freely across nations. Although it presents a
significant obstacle to the Filipino workforce's ability to survive in the
global economy, it also presents a number of opportunities. In order to
guarantee that there are workers of the proper caliber and quantity for
occupations that are made accessible at any given time, this challenge
drives for the ongoing growth and replenishment of workforce.It also
calls for improved technology development and labor market
intelligence. Finally, it promotes the transition of the Filipino workforce
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into one that is knowledge-based and flexible enough to adjust to
changing occupations and skill sets.(SYJUCO,2006).
According to (Viray, et.al 2020) Employers and higher education
institutions disagree on the skills and talents a graduate has to have in
order to find employment in today's more globalized environment. This
disconnect has raised a number of issues. Numerous worries have
been raised over this gab. stated that employers want graduates who
are educated rather than trained, and they want them to be well-
rounded, intelligent individuals who can apply themselves, take
responsibility, and grow in their role within the company. They also
want graduates who will fit into the position they need.
Graduates' academic preparedness gives them greater work
chances and a wider range of employment options in a fiercely
competitive global marketplace. In order to make the program more
responsive and relevant to the needs of the students and industry
standards, it is advised that the curriculum be reviewed periodically
and that professors' capabilities be continuously developed. Graduates
apply their acquired competencies, particularly in the enhanced
academic profession, to their personal and professional growth (Dela
Cruz,2022).
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No country can develop beyond the amount of money it spends on
education. Intentional investment in technical and vocational
education, which can transmit skills, technical competences, scientific
knowledge, entrepreneurship, and self-reliance, is crucial for the ideal
development that will place her on level with equals worldwide.
(Lundberg,et.al 2006).
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Chapter II
Methodology
Research Design
The Ilocos Sur Community College TechVoc programs completion
rate, employment status, income level, and work satisfaction with all
be examined in this study using descriptive-correlational research
methodology. Correlational analysis will be done to ascertain and
direction and degree of the link between variables, and descriptive
statistics will utilize to characterize the respondent and their
employment outcomes.
With this design, Quantitative data can be correlated through
surveys and analysis between variables, but no cause-and-effect
relationship can be established.
Population and locale of the Study
All Ilocos Sur Community College (ISCC) graduates who
finished TechVoc programs administered by the Technical Education
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) comprise the cohort for this
tracer research.
The study is mostly being conducted in Ilocos Sur, Philippines.
Nonetheless, attempts will be made to contact graduates who have
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moved to other areas in order to gather data. To examine the
geographic distribution of employment opportunities, the precise
places where graduates are now working will be noted.
Using a stratified random sample technique, 125 respondents
were included in this study throughout the course of five academic
years, from 2012 to 2016.
Population and Locale of the Study
Sample Distribution by Academic Year
Academic Year Number of Respondent
2011-2012 25
2012-2013 25
2013-2014 25
2014-2015 25
2015-2016 25
Data Gathering Procedure
For this project, an organized questionnaire will be the main method of
collecting data. The survey will be broken up into sections.
Part I: Respondent Profile- In this area, demographic data
including age, gender, place of residence, and educational background
will be gathered.
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Part II: Research Variables: Inquiries about employment status,
salary level, job satisfaction, curriculum relevance, and acquired skills
and competences will all be covered in this section.
Data Collection Process
1. Instrument development: The goals of the study and the literature
evaluation will guide the creation of the questionnaire. To guarantee
its validity and dependability, it will go through expert content
evaluation.
2. To find any ambiguities or inconsistencies, a small group of
respondents will complete a pilot test of the questionnaire. The results
of the pilot test will inform any necessary revisions.
3. Information collection: A variety of techniques, including will be used
to deliver the questionnaire to the chosen group of ISCC TechVoc
grads.
Online Surveys (Google Form)
Face-to-Face interviews
Mail surveys
4. Retrieval of Data: Completeness and accuracy of the gathered
questionnaires will be verified.
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Data Analysis
Quantitative Data analysis
For demographic variables (age, gender, etc.),employment status,
income level, work satisfaction, and other pertinent factors, descriptive
statistics compute frequencies, percentages, means, medians, and
standard deviations.
The Chi-Square test is used in inferential statistics to assess the
significance of differences in income levels and demographic
categories (such as age and gender) between them. The purpose of
correlation analysis is to assess the direction and strength of
relationships between variables including employment outcomes, skill
competencies, and curricular relevance. On the other hand, regression
analysis predicts employment outcomes based on a number of
predictor variables, including skills, demographic factors, and
curriculum relevance.
Qualitative Data Analysis
When analyzing qualitative data obtained from interviews and
open-ended survey questions, thematic analysis is used to find
recurring themes and patterns, whereas content analysis examines the
replies' content to pinpoint important concepts, ideas, and viewpoints.
Data presentation
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Clearly and succinctly presenting the quantitative and
qualitative findings using tables, charts, and graphs. Supporting the
findings with the relevant statistical test and p-value
Interpretation of Findings
Connect the results to the goals and questions of the study. Talk
about how the results will affect stakeholders in the industry,
policymakers, and educational institutions. Finally, identify any study
limitations and recommend topics for more research.
Ethical Consideration
The following ethical guidelines are followed in this tracer
investigation.
1. Informed Consent: Participants will receive information about the
study's goals, methods, and possible risks. Before they participate,
they will have the chance to offer their voluntary, informed consent.
2. All participant data will be kept private and confidential. Without
express agreement, personal information will not be disclosed.
3. Anonymity: To preserve participant privacy, the data will be
examined in an anonymous manner.
4. Beneficence: By offering insightful information about the efficacy
of TVET programs, the study hopes to assist participants, ISCC, and the
larger community.
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5. Non-maleficence: Every effort will be made to limit participant
harm during the study's conduct.
6. Justice: The research will guarantee that subjects receive just
and equal treatment.
The researcher will guarantee that the study is carried out in a
responsible and ethical manner by abiding by these ethical guidelines.
Data Categorization
Demographic Variables
Gender: Male, Female, Prefer not to say
Age: Categorize into age groups ( E,g, 18-24.25-30,31-35, etc.)
Location: City, Municipality
Socioeconomic Status: Low, middle, High (based on income and
educational level)
Employment Status
Employed
Self Employed
Never Employed
Income Level
Assign income brackets (below minimum wage, minimum wage
to twice the minimum pay, and above twice the minimum wage,
for example).
Job Satisfaction
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ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE – GRADUATE SCHOOL
If possible, use a Likert scale (1 being extremely unsatisfied and
5 being highly satisfied).
Curriculum Relevance
Assess the graduates' perceptions of the TecVoc curriculum's
relevance to their present jobs using a Likert scale.
Skills and Competencies
TecVoc-based categories for acquired skills (e.g., technical skills,
soft skills, industry-specific skills)
Career Paths
Sort the graduate's career path according to their present
employment (e.g., self-employed, working in a similar profession,
working in an unrelated field, or continuing their education).
GRADUATE TRACER SURVEY
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ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE – GRADUATE SCHOOL
(GTS)
A. General Information
1. Name: _______________________________________________
2. Permanent Address: ____________________________________
3. E-mail Address: ________________________________________
4. Telephone or Contact Number: ____________________________
5. Mobile Number: ________________________________________
6. Civil Status
Single Separated Widow or Widower
Married Single Parent
7. Sex
Male Female
8. Birthday
9. Region of Origin
Region I Region 5 NCR
Region 2 Region 6 CAR
Region 3 Region 7 ARMM
Region 4 Region 8 CARAGA
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10. Province: __________________________________________
11. Location
City Municipality
B. EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
12. Educational Attainment TechVoc Program)
TechVoc TVI School Year Graduated Honors or Awards
Program
Specializatio
n
12. National Assessment
Name of Examination Date Taken Result of assessment
(NC Level of Assessment)
II. EMPLOYMENT DATA
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1. Are you presently employed?
Yes No
2. If yes please answer the following:
3. What is your Current Job Title?
____________________________________________________________
4. What is the name of your current employer?
____________________________________________________________
5. How long have you been working at your current job?
Less than a month. 1 year to less than 2 years.
1 to 6 months. 2 years to less than 3 years.
7 to 11 months. 3 years to less than 4 years
Other please specify: _________
6. Monthly income on your current job?
Below Php 5,000.00.
Php 5,000.00 to less than Php 10,000.00.
Php 10,000.00 to less than Php 15,000.00.
Php 15,000.00 to less than Php 20,000.00.
Php 20,000.00 and above.
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7. If self-employed, what skills acquired in TechVoc program were you
able to apply in your work?
8. ____________________________________________Present occupational
(Example: Sales agent, Farm worker, Farm Technician, Feed Technician,
Office clerk, Chemical Technician, Farm Consultant)
______________________________________________
8. Major line of Business of the Company
Agriculture, Hunting and Forestry
Fishing
Minning and quarrying
Manufacturing
Electricity, Gas and water supply
Construction
Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles,
motor
cycle and personal and household goods.
Hotel and Restaurant
Transport storage and communication
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Financial intermediation
Real estate, renting and Business activities
Public Administration and defense: Compulsory social
security.
Education
Health and Social work.
Other community, social and personal services activities.
Private household with employed person
9. Place of work
Local Abroad
10.Is this your first job after graduating TechVoc program?
Yes No
If No proceed to question number 29
11. What are your reason’s for staying on the job? You may check (√)
more than one answers,
Salaries and benefits.
Career challenge.
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Related to special skills.
Proximity to residence.
Other reason(s) please specify: _____________________________
12.What were your reason(s) for changing job? You may check (√)
more than one answer.
Salaries and benefits.
Career challenge.
Related to special skills.
Proximity to residence.
Other reason(s) please specify: ___________________________
13.How long did you stay in your first Job?
Less than a month. 1 year to less than 2 years.
1 to 6 months. 2 years to less than 3 years.
7 to 11 months. 3 years to less than 4 years.
Other please specify: ______________
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14.How did you find your first job?
Response to an advertisement.
As walk-in applicant.
Recommended by someone
Information from friends.
Others, please specify: __________________
15.Job Level Position 15.1. First Job 15.2. Present Job
Job Level
Rank or clerical
Professional, Technical or
Supervisory
Managerial or Executive
Self Employed
16. What is your initial gross monthly earnings in your first job after
graduated In TechVoc program from ISCC?
Below Php 5,000.00.
Php 5,000.00 to less than Php 10,000.00.
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Php 10,000.00 to less than Php 15,000.00.
Php 15,000.00 to less than Php 20,000.00.
Php 20,000.00 and above.
III. Job Satisfaction
How satisfied are you with your current job?
Likert Scale
Direction: Please indicate your level of agreement with the
following statement by selecting the appropriate number on the
scale below. Please Check (√ ) 0ne answer for each statement
5 4 3 2 1
Highly Satisfied Neural Unsatisfied Extremely
Satisfied Unsatisfied
General Job satisfaction 5 4 3 2 1
1.How happy are you with your current
position overall?
2.To what extent are you happy you’re your
present professional path?
3. How satisfied are you with your current
position?
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ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE – GRADUATE SCHOOL
Job role and responsibilities 5 4 3 2 1
1. To what extent do you find your job duties
fulfilling?
2. Do you think your work makes use of your
skills and abilities?
3. How content are you with the degree of
difficulty at work?
4. Do you think your effort make a big
difference?
Work Environment 5 4 3 2 1
1.To what extent are you happy with your
workplace?
2.How pleased are you with the degree of
assistance you get from your co-worker?
3. To what extent do you find the
communication inside your company
satisfactory?
4. To what extent do you find the professional
development opportunities satisfactory?
Compensation and Benefits 5 4 3 2 1
1. To what extent do you find your pay and
benefits package satisfactory?
2. Do you think you’re getting paid fairly and
equity?
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ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE – GRADUATE SCHOOL
Work-Life Balance 5 4 3 2 1
1. To what extent do you find your work-life
satisfactory?
2. Do you think you have enough time to
devote to your family and yourself?
Leadership and Management 5 4 3 2 1
1. How pleased are you with the way your
boss leads?
2. To what extent are you happy with the
assistance you receive from your boss?
IV. Curriculum Relevance
Direction: Please indicate your level of agreement with the
following statement by selecting the appropriate number on the
scale below. Please Check(√ ) 0ne answer for each statement
1 2 3 4 5
Strongly Disagree Neural Agree Strongly
Disagree Agree
Overall Relevance 5 4 3 2 1
1. How did your program's overall curriculum
relate to your present position or professional
path?
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ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE – GRADUATE SCHOOL
Knowledge and Skills 5 4 3 2 1
1. How applicable to your current position
were the particular knowledge and abilities
you learned in your program?
2. Did you receive enough training to meet
the expectations and challenges of your
current position?
Specific Curriculum Areas 5 4 3 2 1
Core Courses
1.How applicable were your program's
foundational courses to your current position?
Elective Courses 5 4 3 2 1
1. How applicable were the elective courses
you choose to your current position?
Practical Experience
1. To what extent does your program's
practical experience-such as fieldwork,
internships, etc.-apply to your current
position?
Research and Analytical Skills 5 4 3 2 1
1. How much did your education help you
hone your analytical and research abilities,
which are applicable to your current job?
Communication and interpersonal Skills 5 4 3 2 1
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ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE – GRADUATE SCHOOL
1. How much did your training help you
improve your interpersonal and
communication skills, which are important for
your current job?
Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking 5 4 3 2 1
Skills
1. What level of problem-solving and critical
thinking skills development did your program
provide that are applicable to your current
position?
Employer Perspective 5 4 3 2 1
Employer Satisfaction
1. How pleased are you and your employer
with the knowledge and abilities you gained
from your program?
Future Implication 5 4 3 2 1
Career Advancement
1. To what extent did your program aid in
your professional development?
Entrepreneurial Ventures
1. How applicable was your curriculum in
giving you the info and abilities you needed
to launch your own business?
17. List down suggestions to further improve your qualification
curriculum
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___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Thank you for taking time out to fill-out this questionnaire,
Please return this GTS to your institution. Being one of the Alumni of
your institution, may we request you to list down the names of other
ISCC graduates under TechVoc program from academic year 2011-
2016 from your institution including their address and contact
numbers. Their participation will also be need to make this study more
meaningful and useful.
Name Address Contact Number
Please use extra sheet if needed.
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