A Study on the Employability of Fresh Air Transportation Graduates: Alignment of Academic Learnings with the Skills Demanded By the Philippine Aviation Industry

Abstract

The goal of this research paper was to assess the level of academic training in the relevant skills and competencies in the Philippine aviation industry to measure the employability of BS Air Transportation Graduates and how they were equipped and prepared for the labor market. As the aviation industry continued to evolve, the expectations for newly hired personnel also became more specialized. This created the need to have academic programs that not only provided a solid theoretical base but also practical skills appropriate to the industry that would enable students to excel in the industry. This alignment was significant in knowing the level of preparedness of the graduates to meet the challenges of their future careers in the aviation industry. To address the objectives of the study, the researchers employed a mixed-methods approach that combined quantitative survey data with qualitative interviews. A descriptive and correlational research design was applied to examine the relationship between academic preparation and the employability of graduates. Purposive sampling was used to gather responses from thirty (30) recent graduates of the BS Air Transportation program. In addition, interviews with two (2) instructors and one (1) graduate respondent were conducted to gain deeper insight into the strengths and gaps of the current academic training. The quantitative data were analyzed using weighted mean, percentage, and one-way ANOVA, while the qualitative responses were analyzed through thematic analysis to gain deeper insights into the experiences and perspectives of the interviewees. The findings indicate how academic learning contributes to the employability of BS Air Transportation graduates in the aviation sector and identify areas where curriculum enhancement may further improve industry readiness. After all, the study was intended to offer information that could be used to improve the current curriculum, improve the relationships between schools and the aviation industry, and the training and competitiveness of the future aviation workers.