CHAPTER 1 THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction Employability is an individuals ability to gain employment. Since chances of getting a job are influenced by factors such as the state of the labor market, credentials, knowledge, skills and work experiences, its not just about the achievements written down on resume or the ratings printed on credentials that lead to employability of every graduate. Employability is a dynamic quality that changes over time, depending on the circumstances you find yourself in, your skills at adapting to new situations and making the most of opportunities, and your personal development. Employability enables you to drive your career forward and respond to changing conditions along the way. It isnt just about what youve done; its also about your approach in getting wherever you want to go. (www.targetjobs.co.uk/news)

The number of jobless worldwide reached nearly 212 million in 2009 following an unprecedented increase of 34 million compared to 2007, as a result of the global crisis, according to International Labour Organization (ILO Global Employment Trends Annual Report). (www.ilo.org). In the Philippines, the unemployment rate in 2009 only increased slightly to 7.5 percent (Wirth, 2010). In the UNESCO National Education Report Strategy (UNESS Annual Report 2009) 3.6 million Filipinos are unemployed in the year 2008, where males comprised the 63% and females composed the remaining 37% of the unemployed sector. The National Capital Region registered the highest unemployment rate at 10.6% -a phenomenon caused by the migration of the rural residents to Metro Manila. The migration from rural to urban areas is precipitated by the lack of employment and income opportunities in the rural areas, particularly

in the poorest provinces. Across educational group, college undergraduates and college graduates comprised 22% and 19% respectively of the 3.6 million jobless. Given the high percentage of unemployed who reached college level, the issue of the educated unemployed remains a rich area for study in education. The labor situation indicates that the educated unemployed possess skills but do not match the available job requirements. Saint Marys University is a CICM catholic educational institution committed to nurturing competent, creative and community-supportive Christian disciples in harmony with other believers. With its mission of relentlessly pursuing quality and excellence for local and global relevance and responsiveness, Saint Marys University has done a very great and outstanding job of producing and molding proficient graduates in the field of Commerce and other fields of specialization. The institution has achieved milestone development in shaping Marians having accredited Level III for Undergraduate Programs, and Level II for Graduate Programs by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU), designated by Commission on Higher Education as Sub-Center of Development for Business and Industry on February 25, 1997 and ranked Very Good in Business Education by Evaluation of Graduate Education in the Philippines (EGEP) by Commission on Higher Education on October 5, 2004 (www.smu.edu.ph). With these achievements, it has constantly addressed the changing demands of business industry though educational eligibility and competence.

Commerce graduates have to be equipped not only with fundamental skills and knowledge but more importantly, they have to be prepared to develop their potentials in the business world. There is a need for researchers to study the skills, trainings, knowledge and characteristics necessary for commerce graduates of Saint Marys University to meet the qualifications dictated by the demand of the business industry nowadays. This study aims to find out what skills, knowledge, trainings and characteristics have to be possessed and developed

for business transactions and operations and suggests certain strategies on how to improve such education and trainings.

Theoretical Framework

Figure 1.1

Desired Characteristics Desired Knowledge Desired Skills

Name and Address of the Company Position Sector of the Company

Desired Trainings

Problems and Difficulties

Summary, Findings, Conclusion and Recommendations

Determinants of the Employability of Saint Marys University Bachelor of Science in Business Administrationmajor in Marketing Management Graduates as perceived by OJT partners of SMU in Nueva Vizcaya

Statement of the Problem This research is purposely designed to find out the attitudes desired by employers during job interviews, skills and abilities, attitudes and characteristics, knowledge, and trainings of Saint Marys University Business Administration-Major in Marketing and Management graduates that are needed for employability. It also aimed to provide a big picture of the problems and issues encountered by graduates and what implications do these factors have on academic programs.

More specifically, the study seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What is the profile of the OJT Partner in terms of: a. Name and Address of the Company b. Position c. Sector/Department of the Company 2. What are the determinants of the Employability of Saint Marys University Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-major in Marketing Management Graduates when grouped according to: a. Attitudes desired by employers during job interview b. Skills and abilities c. Attitudes and characteristics d. General knowledge e. Trainings

3. What implications to the improvement of academic programs being offered by Saint Marys University can be drawn from this study?

4. Is there a difference on the determinants of the Employability of Saint Marys University Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-major in Marketing Management Graduates as perceived by the OJT Partner when grouped according to: a. Name and Address of the Company b. Position c. Sector/Department of the Company

5. What are the recommendations in order to improve the determinants of employability of Saint Marys University Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-major in Marketing Management Graduates?

Suggested Statement of the Hypothesis There is no significant difference on the determinants of the Employability of Saint Marys University Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-major in Marketing Management Graduates as perceived by the OJT Partner when grouped according to:

a. Name and Address of the Company b. Position c. Sector/Department of the Company

Scope and Delimitations

This study limits its scope to the investigation of the determinants of the employability of Saint Marys University Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-Major in Marketing Management graduates as perceived OJT partners of Saint Marys University. The respondents of the study were primarily any representative from the OJT partners of Saint Marys University in Nueva Vizcaya. Since there are only a few partners, the researchers considered the whole population.

Significance of the Study

This study hopes to provide information about the qualities, skills and talents, attitudes, trainings and personalities of Saint Marys University Business Administration-Major in Marketing Management graduates necessary for their employment. It also gives a portrait of problems and difficulties encountered by Marketing Management graduates of this institution.

Administration It will help them find out the qualities, skills and talents, attitudes, trainings and personalities necessary for the employment of Marketing Management graduates. Thus, it will promote the administration system in molding and providing globally competitive professionals in the future and at the same time upgrading the quality of education and trainings, seminars and values in Saint Marys University. Students It will provide information regarding the qualities, skills and talents, attitudes, trainings and personalities desired by employers. With this information, students can be more aware of the scenario in applying for a job in the future.