Socioeconomic Determinants of Unemployment and Skills Mismatch in A Rural Coastal Community: Basis for A Proposed Technical Livelihood Program

This study examined the socioeconomic determinants of unemployment and skills mismatch in a rural coastal community as the basis for a proposed technical livelihood program in automotive, electrical, and electronics technologies. Using a descriptive–correlational design, data were collected from 60 working-age residents through a validated survey instrument with high internal consistency. Descriptive statistics and inferential analyses were employed to assess demographic profiles, employment patterns, technical competencies, barriers to training access, and predictors of unemployment and readiness for skills development. Results indicated high prevalence of seasonal employment (43.3%) and unemployment (28.3%), with most households earning below ₱10,000 monthly. Respondents demonstrated consistently low competency across automotive, electrical, and electronics skills, with weighted means ranging from 1.99 to 2.02 (“Less Skilled”). Financial constraints, scheduling conflicts, limited instructor availability, and lack of awareness emerged as moderate barriers to training participation. Chi-square tests showed no significant association between education, age, gender, and skills mismatch, while logistic and multiple regression analyses identified household income as the sole significant predictor of unemployment risk and readiness for training. The findings suggest that unemployment and skills mismatch are structurally driven rather than attributable to individual characteristics alone. Based on these results, the study proposes the ANILAO Program, a community-based, competency-aligned technical livelihood initiative designed to improve employability, support entrepreneurship, and enhance economic resilience in underserved rural contexts.