Improving Employability through a Tracer Study on the Graduates of Don Bosco Training Center - Borongan Inc.

The Employability of the graduates reflects the training that an institution offers to the graduates as well as to the industries. The higher employment that an institution gives the better it is. This research traces the employability of the graduates of the Don Bosco Training Center - Borongan Inc., The study utilizes a descriptive and quantitative survey method. A modified questionnaire of the Graduate Tracer Study of BiH Germany with a written permission was used to collect data from 160 graduates of DBTC - Borongan Inc batch 2017-2021 using stratified simple random sampling technique. Descriptive statistics of percentages was used to analyze the data collected. Furthermore, the Slovin's formula with the 0.05 margin of error was utilized in order to get the number of samples. The result of the number of samples using the Slovin's formula is 156. Results revealed a gradual balance of gender in DBTC-Borongan Inc with 55% male and 45% female; among the 160 respondents, 78 (48.8%) are employed. Many of the graduates had short training, 1-3 months (46.3%). No wonder then that the highest length of time to land a job is 53 (64.6%). Padrino System played a very important role in landing a job. In fact, some of the employed graduates landed a job because of relations (24 or 30.8%). Findings show that the shorter training in the training center offers the longer time for the graduates to land a job. More than half of the employed belong to the below minimum wage because many of them are hired by private enterprises.

Employed youth in February 2022 worked on an average of 38.0 hours per week, higher than the average 37.2 hours a week reported in the same month of 2021 (PSA, 2022).
In the Eastern Visayas Region, the unemployment rate stood at 7.6% in October 2021 or about 146 thousand unemployed persons out of the total labor force of the region. This figure was 1.5% higher than the 6.1% unemployment rate recorded in July 2021. This was also higher by 2.3% compared with the 5.3% unemployment rate in the same period in 2020. In 2021, the highest unemployment rate of 7.6% occurred in January and October, while the lowest was noted in April at 5% (PSA, 2022).
The Don Bosco Training Center-Borongan Inc., (DBTC -Borongan Inc.) educates and evangelizes the poor young people of Easter Samar. It offers vocational courses under the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) Accreditation. Most of the students in the institution belong to the lower bracket of society. Many of them could not go to college due to financial constraints. This is practically the mission of the school to help the youth find a job so that they could help their respective families in particular and society in general.
This mission is rooted and promulgated in their Constitutions and Regulations which state: that a Salesian school should be for poorer people: this should be reflected in its setting, its culture, its curriculum, and its choice of students. Services to meet local needs should be provided, such as courses for cultural and professional training, literacy and remedial programmes, scholarships, and other initiatives (Constitutions and Regulations,14). Included in the services, is to help the graduates find a job (Attard, 2014).
The Institution has been serving the Province of Eastern Samar for the past 25 years and has produced skilled graduates both locally and internationally. The Institution has been helping the growth of the economy of the Province of Eastern Samar in many ways. However, with the passing of time, the Institution realizes that the unemployment rate of the graduates is slowly increasing. Hence, the researcher would like to conduct a tracer study so as to improve the employment rate of the graduates. This study will determine the desired information as to what is happening to our new graduates in particular their socio-biographic characteristics and their job search and employment as they embrace the field of work.
In addition, this tracer study will also provide valuable and reliable information for evaluating the results of education and training facilitated by the trainers and thereby will serve as a basis for future planning activities especially when it comes to curriculum revision and implementation.
It is for the above purpose that a tracer study on the graduates of Don Bosco Training Center-Borongan Inc. is done. The graduates included in this survey are the DBTC -Borongan Inc. graduates particularly batch 2017 to 2021 from the three courses: Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Motorcycle/Small Engine Servicing (MSES), Computer System Servicing (CSS).

Statement of the Problem
This study aims to improve the employability of the graduates of Don Bosco Training Center -Borongan Inc., Brgy. Taboc, Borongan City.

Significance of the Study
The research is significant for the following groups of stakeholders: FIS TVIs: The research aims at developing the training program of FIS TVIs. Training Director: The research provides data for training director in evaluating the employability of the graduates of Don Bosco Training Center -Borongan Inc. Trainers: The research makes the trainers aware of their contribution in the employability of the graduates and provides added impetus in their efforts to work hard in molding the young people to become useful citizen. Trainees: The research serves as a guide in improving the employability of the graduates which will enhance the training experience of the trainees. Graduates: The research serves as an evaluation of the quality of the instructions given by the institution.
Other Researchers: The research contributes data that measures the employability of the graduates of Don Bosco Training Center -Borongan Inc., Brgy. Taboc, Borongan City.

Scope and Delimitation of the Study
This study was limited to the graduates of Don Bosco Training Center -Borongan Inc, specifically batch 2017-2021. This study was conducted specifically in the Province of Eastern Samar through an online survey.

Review of Related Literature
The following review of related literature confirms that a tracer study is a big help for schools.
The purpose of education is to enable the society to have a command of knowledge, skills and values for achieving the country's vision of attaining the status of fully developed nation in terms of economic development, social justice and spiritual, moral and ethical strength, towards creating a society that is united, democratic, liberal and dynamic (Abu Bakar et al., 2009). In that regard, the Don Bosco Training Center-Borongan Inc., seeks among other things to deliver training and Christian values that meet the standard of the industry, thus making DBTC -Borongan Inc., graduates employable; and to provide quality instruction and training to school leavers to enhance their opportunities for employment. However, according to Lopez-Acevedo (2003), when rising demand for skills is not met by supply, the result is a persistent shortage of skilled labour and constrained growth. The root of the shortage of skilled labour can be traced to persistence of antiquated and unresponsive training mechanisms vocational and technical systems are not providing new entrants with appropriate skills.
The Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) who are priests and brothers are continuing the mission of St. John Bosco to educate and evangelize the poor young people by providing them skills and training. The Don Bosco Training Center-Borongan Inc., is one of the eight (8) Technical Vocational Institutes (TVIs) of the Philippine South Province (FIS). For the past 25 years, DBTC -Borongan Inc. has been producing technical and skilled graduates in Eastern Samar. However, there are no studies and empirical data that could trace the graduates so as to improve the training, partnership with the industries, services and curriculum of the institution.
The Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) who are assigned here in DBTC -Borongan Inc., observed and believed that indeed the training system is indeed declining and thereby not helping the graduates land a job which is the very mission of the institution: pro Deo et Patria (for God and for the country). This requires that the Technical Director and the Industry Liaison Officer (ILO) should understand and work hard that linkages and partnerships with other institutions and industries are deemed necessary in order to develop future skills and career development policies so as to produce employable graduates.
To ascertain the improvement of employment of the graduates, tracer studies are necessary. Tracer studies are generally defined as surveys of graduates from institutions of higher education and are often seen as an important tool for institutional development especially when the world of work is changing rapidly. From information provided by tracer studies, the higher education institutions can get systematic feedback from their former students. The institutions can know the whereabouts of their graduates; their working conditions and their retrospective assessment of their course of study might stimulate the curricular debate and could be also very interesting for the current or later students (Schomburg, 2003).
In addition, tracer Studies provide quantitative-structural data on employment and career, the character of work and related competencies and information on the professional orientation and experiences of their graduates (Millington, 2008). Guzman et al (2008) advocated for the use of a graduate tracer study as an appropriate tool in determining institutional capability in preparing graduates to meet the demands of the workplace. The graduate tracer studies involve the determination of graduates in the job search mode, lead time and employment condition, where the knowledge acquired in schools are used to work, in promotions, and job satisfaction.
These studies were conducted in higher education but they are also applicable in the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) which DBTC -Borongan Inc., is one of them.

Conceptual Framework
The researcher applied the General Systems Theory of Ludwig von Bertalanffy to show how the variables are related to the study (See Figure 1).
According to Littlejohn and Foss (2008), the basic idea of input, process and output in groups has influenced how most researchers over the years modified the original model. The researcher focused on the factors that affect the group (input), what happens within the group (process), and the results (output).
The input-process-output (IPO) model provides the general concept of the study for the guide and direction.
Using this modified IPO model, input refers to the action of the researcher in terms of communicating or reaching out to the graduates of each batch, another input was the actual response of the graduates to participate in the survey. These inputs underwent certain processes to properly assess the results. These processes were specifically: data encoding, analyzing, and interpretation. Lastly, for the output, the researcher would be able to know the status of the employability of the graduates. Above all, since this is the first time to conduct this kind of research, the researcher would be able to produce a reliable Tracer Study of the employability of the Don Bosco Training Center-Borongan Inc., graduates batch 2017 to 2021.

Research Methodology
This study presents the research design, locale of the study, respondents, sampling technique, research instruments, data collection, and analysis.

Research Design
This study used a Descriptive and Quantitative survey method. An adapted standard questionnaire of BiH, Germany was sent to the Facebook messenger via group chat of the graduates of Don Bosco Training Center -Borongan Inc., particularly batch 2017 to 2021 so as to know the socio-biographic profile and the status of their employability after their training in the Institution.

Locale of the Study
This study was conducted among the graduates of Don Bosco Training Center-Borongan Inc, Brgy Taboc, Borongan City. Don Bosco Training Center -Borongan Inc., offers the following courses: Computer Servicing System (CSS), Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), and Motor/Small Engine Servicing (MSES) to out-ofschool youths, from 18 to 24 years, with the aim of providing them skills for gainful employment. Don Bosco Training Center -Borongan Inc., was awarded by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) as the Best Training Center in the area whose beneficiaries are high school dropouts with the possibility of a high school equivalency designed for out-of-school youth.

Respondents of the Study
The respondents of this study were the graduates of DBTC -Borongan Inc., specifically batch 2017 to 2021. Their status of employability will be assessed in terms of their socio-biographic characteristics, job search and employment.
The table below presents the distribution of respondents for the study.

Sampling Procedure
There were 255 total population of graduates from 2017 to 2021 at the Don Bosco Training Center -Borongan Inc. Data were obtained by locating the names, contact numbers, addresses, and email addresses of the graduates in the list provided by the DBTC admin Office through the Registrar and ILO. The researcher used an online survey through Google forms, links were sent via Gmail and social media platforms such as Facebook and messenger. The researcher made a follow up on the contact addresses of all graduates to update their address details due to possible change of addresses and contacts. Those graduates who were not reached were not considered as respondents in this research.
Based on the tracing methods described above, the researcher utilized the stratified simple random sampling in which the researcher considered the percentage of retrieval of questionnaires and representations of the identified number of graduates in the three different courses. From the total population of graduates, the researcher sent an online survey questionnaire through the group chat of the graduates whose active members were 160 graduates that made up 62.74% from the total population.
In measuring the number of sample in this study, the researcher used Slovin's formula with standard error 5% or 0.05. The total respondents of this research was 160 that which consist of the following courses: 106 or ( The total sample is 156. The number of respondents is bigger than the total sample.

Research Instruments
The research instrument that was utilized by the researcher to get the needed information was the standard Graduate Tracer Study (GTS) developed by BiH (2018), Germany. This instrument is used with written permission from the researchers.
The questionnaire will be divided into 2 parts.  The first part measured the socio-biographic characteristics of the graduates.  The second part measured the job search and employment of the respondents.
To get the frequency counts and percentage, the following statistical tools were utilized: 1. Frequency counts (F). To describe the distribution of samples among the concepts that are under investigation. 2. Percentage (P). To compare two magnitudes to determine their relationship using the formula % = (N ÷ S) × 100 Where: N = number of responses following under a particular item/category S = the total number of subject respondents % = the percentage IJIRMPS Volume 11, Issue 1, (January-February 2023) E-ISSN: 2349-7300

Data Collection Procedure
A survey questionnaire was posted on the Facebook page of the institution and to the chat group of the corresponding graduates. The graduates from 2017 to 2021 were asked to answer the questionnaire online. The result was gathered, tallied, and tabulated according to the items checked by the respondents. Data were then subjected to a statistical method to get the desired objectives of this research.

Analysis of Data
The nature of data to be obtained from this study is both quantitative and descriptive. Quantitative data, which is mainly from the adapted standard questionnaires, was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). A code was placed next to a word or group of words that would mention these key variables of investigation. Output from the analysis was presented in tabular form and descriptive statements where appropriate.

Ethical Consideration
The objectives of the research were sent to the respondents via messenger group chat who would then decide on whether they want to participate or not. The respondents were assured that all information collected would be treated in confidence and only used for the purpose of this study

Results and Discussion
This chapter presents, analyzes, and interprets the result of the online survey conducted on the DBTC-Borongan Inc., graduates particularly batch 2017 to 2021.
Below are the findings, analysis, and interpretation of the data.  In terms of the batches, there are 63 (39.4%) respondents from batch 2021, 32 (20%) from batch 2019, 27 (16.9%) from batch 2020, 18 (11.3%) from batch 2017, and 20 (12.5%) from batch 2018 who participated in the survey. This indicates that those who are activate in social media are those who recently graduated from the institution. Thus, the school should establish a system or a database of information to keep the graduates in contact so that it is easy to communicate when there is hiring or employment offered to the graduates.
When it comes to the age of the respondents, ages 24-26 and 21-23 got the highest rate 49 (30.6%) and 48 (30%) respectively. This indicates that most of the respondents are senior high school graduates and college-level (ages 21-23). On the other hand, those who belong to ages 24 to 26 indicate that their training in the school is an additional qualification. In fact, there are 21 (13.1%) who are 30 years old and above which means that these respondents are professionals. In fact, the school offers night classes for CSS students. Most of the students are government employees. For the duration of the training, there are 74 (46.3%) of the respondents stayed 1-3 months in the school. This shows that many of the respondents took the short course of the school which is CSS NC II. This indicates that computer literacy is significant and relevant in today's generation.
For the gender, there are 88 (55%) males who took the online survey compared to females who garnered 72 (45%) of the total respondents. This indicates that males are prompt and diligent in answering the survey and perhaps they are working in their respective work places while females are perhaps working at home.
The percentages of single and married respondents are 142 (80.8%) and 18 (11.3%) respectively. This shows that there are more single persons who are willing to take technical courses than married persons. It also indicates that those who are single persons have more time to answer the survey. In short, they are more active in social media than married persons.
For the educational attainment of the parents of the respondents, mothers seem to have higher educational attainment than fathers. There are 24 (15%) mothers who graduated from college and there are 13 (8.12%) fathers who finished their college degree. But for the vocational graduates, there are only 7 (4.37%) fathers who are graduates of vocational courses and there are 6 (3.75%) mothers who are graduates of vocational courses. This datum indicates that fathers being the breadwinner of the families have to work hard, educated and qualified in order to provide the needs of the family.
For the employment of the respondents, there are 78 (48.8%) who are employed, and there are 82 (51.3%) who are unemployed of the 160 (100%) respondents. Almost half of the respondents are employed. This indicates the employment rate of the graduates is fair. This may also indicate that most of the graduates are affected by the pandemic where jobs are scarce. Thus, the school should work hard in order to increase the employment rate of the graduates. (4.9%) who did fit for the job. This may indicate that their qualification is not fitting for the job. Thus, qualification is still necessary for employment. This table shows that there are 57 (69.5%) respondents whose jobs are related to their course and there are 25 (30.5%) respondents whose jobs are not related to their course. This percentage indicates that the courses they took are useful in their jobs. However, there is also a big percentage whose jobs are not related to their course. This data shows that employment in the Province of Eastern Samar does not need course qualification but relation (see table above). Thus, connection with people is important in job placement. This table shows means find a job. Among the 78 respondents who are employed, the most frequented means to land a job is Relations (parents, relatives, friends) which garnered 24 (30.8%) The second is Public Advertisement which got 23 (29. 5%). And the lowest is the assistance by the Training Center through the Liaison officer which garnered 1 (1.3%). This table indicates that Relations (parents, relative, friends) plays a very important role in landing a job. In the Philippines nepotism is a connection which we call "Compadre System "in terms of economic and employment. Nepotism happens in the Philippine government, when you favour or promote your relatives to a higher position so they can also do what you did to others. (Nepotism In The Philippines).
Padrino system in the industries works in the Philippines. Padrino system also known as Palakasan or Patronage system in the culture of the Philippines is a system where Filipinos engage in illegal activities in pursuit of their own interests. Some are driven through nepotism (favors due to family affiliations) or cryonism (favors due to friendship) or even "utang na loob" (favors due to debt of gratitude) as opposed to merit or qualifications (https://poligovpadrino.wordpress.com/2014/08/17/padrino-system/).
Thus, one has to have a 'backer' or padrino so that he or she will be hired. Many times 'Political eligibility' (another term they use for padrino system) is used when there is an interview which means that person is being referred by a politician or by a government official.  This table shows the gross monthly earnings of the first job of the respondents. There are 28 (35.9%) respondents who have a gross monthly earning of 5,000 to less than 10,000 in their first job after graduation. This gross monthly earning belongs to the below minimum wage. According to Department Of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 8, the minimum wage now is 320 pesos.
(https://nwpc.dole.gov.ph/regionandwages/region-viii-eastern-visayas/) There are 14 (17.9%) who received below 5,000 for their monthly gross. These two ratings indicate that the industry in the Province of Eastern Samar offers below minimum wage. However, there are 9 (11.5%) who get the minimum wage.

Summary, Findings, Conclusion, Recommendations
This chapter presents the summary, findings, conclusion and recommendations of the study. The summary presents the synthesis of the study. The findings are based on the socio-biographic profile and the status of employability of the respondents. The conclusion is based on the findings of the study. The recommendations are based on the analysis of the findings.

Summary
The Don Bosco Training Center -Borongan Inc., is one of the Technical Vocational Institutes (TVIs) of the Philippine South Province (FIS) that has been operating in the Province of Eastern Samar for the past 25 years. Many of the graduates have worked and some are still working in different industries, companies, and institutions, both in the government and in the private sectors. Some of them also have their own businesses and shops. Also, some have ventured to work outside the Philippines. Their skills and competencies have brought them to where they are right now.
Considering that employment is part of the educational system in the FIS TVIs, the Don Bosco Training Center -Borongan Inc. strengthens its resolve to help the graduates land a job through the help of the ILO office and through the different platforms of social media.
In view of this thought, the main purpose of this study is to improve the employment of the graduates through a tracer study.
Specifically, this study seeks to answer the following questions: 1. What are the socio-biographic details of the graduates in terms of the following characteristics? 1.

Findings
The following are the findings of the study: 1. Based on the results, the socio-biographic profile of the respondents is as follows: 1.1. There are 106 (66.3%) CSS trainees, 39 (24.4%) SMAW trainees, and 15 (9.4%) MSES trainees of the 160 (100%) respondents who participated in the survey. 1.2. In terms of batches, there are 63 (39.4%) respondents from batch 2021, 32 (20%) from batch 2019, 27 (16.9%) from batch 2020, 18 (11.3%) from batch 2017, and 20 (12.5%) from batch 2018 who participated in the survey. 1.3. When it comes to the age of the respondents, ages 24-26 got the highest rate 49 (30%). 1.4. For the duration of the training, there are 74 (46.3%) of the respondents stayed 1-3 months in the school. 1.5. For the gender, there are 88 (55%) males who took the online survey compared to females who garnered 72 (45%) of the respondents. 1.6. The percentages of single and married respondents are 142 (88.8%) and 18 (11.3%) respectively. 1.7. For the educational attainment of the parents of the respondents, mothers seem to have higher educational attainment than fathers. There are 24 (15%) mothers who graduated from college and there are 13 (8.12%) fathers who finished their college degree. 2. As to the status of the graduates' employability, the following are the results.
2.1. There are 78 (48.8%) who are employed and 82 (51.3%) who are unemployed of the 160 (100%) respondents. 2.2. Out of 82 (100%) respondents who are unemployed, there are 39 (47.6%) of them who pursue their studies. There are 21 (25.6%) who are still looking for employment. 2.3. There are 57 (69.5%) respondents whose jobs are related to their course and there are 25 (30.5%) respondents whose jobs are not related to their course. 2.4. Among the 78 (100%) respondents who are employed, there are 24 (30.8%) who find their jobs through their relations. The second highest rate is Public Advertisements which is 23 (29.5%). 2.5. For the gross monthly earning of the first job of the respondents, there are 28 (35.9%) respondents who got 5,000 to less than 10,000 in their first job after graduation. 2.6. For the duration of the time before the graduates land their first job, it takes more than a year before the 39 (50%) respondents got their first job.