Job Placement Challenges of Philippine TVET Graduates

Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) plays a crucial role in providing individuals for the job market, particularly as global educational trends place greater importance on employability and hands-on, skills-oriented education. However, many TVET graduates in the Philippines struggle to find stable jobs. This situation highlights the deeper challenges, specifically in the ability of the graduate to find a job after graduation. It places their experiences in the broader context of the diverse global trends in higher education and employer-specific job qualifications and demands. Using a quantitative method and convenience sampling techniques, the study investigates how the graduates' competencies fit industry demands, institutional assistance's influence, and the effect of economic challenges on their ideal career, considering the role of their field of study, geographical location and English proficiency. The issues underlying deeper challenges are particularly relevant when helping graduates secure jobs. This study explores the factors affecting the job placement of Bachelor of Technical-Vocational Teacher Education (BTVTEd) graduates. Significant challenges have been identified, including the belief that fresh graduates lack experience, financial problems, and the limited networking possibilities provided by institutions. These challenges require that TVET programs adapt to remain relevant in the fast-changing job market. Strengthening collaboration in the industry, improving on-the-job (ojt) training, and deepening career assistance services are essential actions in this field. The findings are particularly relevant to BTVTEd programs in economically developing regions, and the study's primary limitation is its reliance on graduate self-perceptions, underscoring the need for future research that incorporates employer and government perspectives.