Chapter 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND
Introduction
A nation’s economy runs on the knowledge and skills of its people. The requirements for skills evolve with external investment, technological advances and globalization. To keep pace with changes, people need to acquire skills to be productive and earn a living and all of these can be achieved through education. Education is the most important mechanism for the empowerment of people for their socio-economic, political, and technological development. The learning environment of higher education institutions must take cognizance of this in structuring their course programs. For the purpose of quality assurance of course programs, higher education institutions can contribute meaningfully by applying the principles of tracer study to create sustainable learning empowerment environment for the continuous professional development of past students. While many higher education institutions provide training to a variety of clients, most forget them as soon as they graduate and leave the institution’s environment with no means to contact them. Employability upon graduation an over the long term is, understandably, the major priority for the vast majority of our University students. Over the past decades or so the University has increasingly offered a wide spectrum of higher education courses that provide students with the necessary tools enabling them to develop their employability skills, to heighten their awareness of these skills and to improve their ability to articulate them. These skills, once acquired, of course need to be honed throughout one’s working life, being put into practice not only in job searching and during interviews but also in personal development planning and in making the most of work experience opportunities. There is no doubt that a student’s lifelong learning perspective. This is based on equity of access and should be seen as opportunity for individual development allowing all those capable of benefitting from higher education to integrate better into the global knowledge society. With the steady increase in the number of college graduates, employment opportunities for students have become very competitive. Most universities have the policy to strengthen existing linkages and to create new bridges with the world of work. In line with the mission of University of La Salette, one of the institutions that offer high standard quality education that makes every student competent in every aspect not only domestically but also globally, recognized for its commitment to innovative programs in addressing society’s challenges, the College of Hotel and Restaurant Management will evaluate how its graduates have paired in their employment scene after graduation. This tracer study will be taken to have in mind the period when a certain institution of learning conducts consistent intervals of time to expose into the field and follow their past graduates to find out what trainings do they have received and learned from them, how best they think the institution who trained them will be able to help them be fit and qualified from their acquired knowledge and abilities through the new trends and innovations of the new courses program that includes the school-based professional development to live up to the expectation of the continuously developing technological and scientific working environment and employment demands. So in this, it is necessary for every institution that provides trainings to have a useful and functional tracer study. In general, tracer study is a field based study action research activity and it is a study to trace graduates of higher education institute through a reliable and dynamic system in order to determine this path of movement. It is used to the impact of the assistance to project beneficiaries in terms of employment rate and skills utilization rate (National Statistical Coordination Board). Information to be generated include employment rate absorption, competency and skills utilization rate, income levels, average lengths of jobs search, course for which graduates have better landed jobs, reasons for unemployment, and not joining the labor force. Tracer study constitute one form of empirical study which can be considered as appropriate means of evaluating he results of the education and training provided at a given institution. Therefore, the researchers will come up a good and well-furnished output to help the institution particularly the Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management students for them to be globally competitive and skillful in the world of Hospitality industry.
Background of the Study The University of La Salette is a Catholic Institution with a high standard education located in Santiago City, Isabela, Philippines. It is known for being one of the top performing schools in the region. It was founded by the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette on June, 1951. Upon the arrival of the missionaries, they started opening schools with high institution of learning and it made possible for the poor and less fortunate students in the province to acquire college education. The main compound of the University of La Salette is situated in Santiago City with an extension campus in Silang, Cavite, Philippines. Its operations comprise the vast Southern Isabela province with extension offices in various towns. Today, the University of La Salette stands with pride and humility in serving the youth of Santiago City and the entire region. It continues to be an institution of higher learning and it goes on upgrading, updating, improving, and strengthening all areas of its operations in following academic excellence, Christian formation, leadership and service. University of La Salette unceasingly offers and provides high standard and quality education that gives an opportunity for self-fulfillment, development, and actualization. And everyone is called to continue to live by heart and mind the message of Our Lady of La Salette and to make her message known to all people for conversion, prayer, and zeal and have a Christ-centered life and live life to its fullest (John 10:10). This tracer study of the University of La Salette- Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management Graduates of S.Y. 2011-2012 to 2013-2014 is conducted to have significant and meaningful feedback and to reunite the graduates to their alma mater. The researchers are conducting this study to trace the ULS-BSHRM Graduates of S.Y. 2011-2012 to 2013-2014 to know their demographic and employment information as respondents. The researchers will try and strive to make a proof that the University of La Salette- Hotel and Restaurant Management Program is effectively and efficiently contributing to the nation’s economy, specifically in the hospitality industry.
Conceptual Framework The INPUT of the profile of the BSHRM graduates of the University of La Salette S.Y. 2011-2012 to 2013-2014 in terms of age, gender, civil status, year graduated, highest educational attainment, position, company name, and number of years on the job or employment data. The PROCESS load consists of the Survey- Questionnaire and Unstructured Interview. For the OUTPUT, fully equipped future Hotel and Restaurant Management graduates batch S.Y. 2011-2012 to 2013-2014 will be determined and verified, moreover, the output of this tracer study shall put into view the employment status of the BSHRM graduates of the University for the previous years, whether, they had been successful on their chosen field of specialization or not.
Process
Process
Input
Input
Figure 1. The Paradigm of the Study
Figure 1. The Paradigm of the Study
Feedback
Feedback
Improvements advances of the academic preparation given to the BSHRM students Provide fully equipped and good employment status of the future BSHRM graduates of the University of La Salette
Improvements advances of the academic preparation given to the BSHRM students Provide fully equipped and good employment status of the future BSHRM graduates of the University of La Salette
Data Analysis of the Tracer Study of the graduates of the BSHRM batch 2011-2012 to 2013-2014 will be gathered through: a) Survey Questionnaire b) Unstructured Interview
Data Analysis of the Tracer Study of the graduates of the BSHRM batch 2011-2012 to 2013-2014 will be gathered through: c) Survey Questionnaire d) Unstructured Interview
Profile of the BSHRM graduates of the University of La Salette S.Y. 2011-2012 to 2013-2014 in terms of: * Age * Gender * Civil Status * Year Graduated * Highest Educational Attainment * Position * Company Name * Number of Years on the Job
Employment Data
Profile of the BSHRM graduates of the University of La Salette S.Y. 2011-2012 to 2013-2014 in terms of: * Age * Gender * Civil Status * Year Graduated * Highest Educational Attainment * Position * Company Name * Number of Years on the Job
Employment Data
Output
Output
Objectives of the Study It is necessary to set down objectives that needs to be considered in the conduct of a tracer study, thus, it aims * To determine the employment opportunities of the BSHRM graduates * To find the status of employment of BSHRM graduates * To determine and analyze the effectiveness and efficiency of the University to produce high quality and well-equipped graduates on their chosen field of specialization * To develop and improve program of study and instructional methodologies in meeting with pass out graduates in line with the latest trends and innovations and practices in Hotel and Restaurant Industry
Statement of the Problem This study is an assessment of University of La Salette graduates of Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management for the past three (3) years school year 2011-2012 to 2013-2014. It gives opportunity to the researchers to seek and find out where the graduates are; if they’re employed and their employment status and if they’re successful in their chosen career and it aims to know the suggestions for changes from the respondents themselves in order to give better preparation among the BSHRM educands. Specifically, this study seeks to answer seek the following: 1. What is the personal profile of the respondents in terms of: 2.1. Age 2.2. Gender 2.3. Civil Status 2.4. Year Graduated 2.5. Highest Educational Attainment 2.6. Position 2.7. Company Name 2.8. Number of Years 2. How long did the respondents wait before their first job? 3. Do the respondents apply the training course acquired from the College of Hotel and Restaurant Management of ULS? 4. What are the recommendations and suggestions to improve the quality rendered by the College of Hotel and Restaurant Management?
Significance of the Study This study is very significant and important to the University of La Salette, generally and specifically the school administrator, faculty, students as well as the researchers.
For the School Administrators. The study will be significant basis for initiating and implementing improvement plans its academic curriculum, as it will provide information about the graduate chosen career.
For the Faculty. This will help the teachers to upgrade the standards by continuously uplifting the minds of the student to be competitive, excel in their respective areas of specialization by cultivating and advancing academically skilled student who will take active participation in the globally competitive world for service and international development acquired in the university.
For the Students. The study will serve as their motivation to study harder in pursuing their goals to become successful graduates by their chosen field.
For the Researchers. The findings of this study will be useful to the researcher to help them to become quality Hotel and Restaurant Management graduates.
For the Future Researchers. This study will serve as reference to the researcher for their future studies.
Basic Assumption * This study assumes that the graduates of BSHRM S.Y. 2011-2012 to 2013-2014 are reassured to be employed at their expertise as hoteliers, restaurateurs, and managers; the graduates had achieved success in looking for their desired job and became effective and efficient in it; and the employability rate of the graduates is high. * This study assumes that the University’s curriculum in the College of Hotel and Restaurant program is a globally-ready that makes the graduates in BSHRM employable.
Scope and Delimitation This is a tracer study that involves the profile of the graduates-respondents, employment data and suggested changes to be made to make the University of La Salette-BSHRM students competitive in real world. The respondents involve in the study is limited to one hundred fifty (150) selected graduates of University of La Salette- Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management from school year 2011-2012, 2012-2013, to 2013-2014. Each respondent are given same questionnaire to answer and direct interview through phone call and social networking sites.
Definition of Terms Employee. A person who is hired to provide services to a company on a regular basis in exchange for compensation and who does not provide these services as part of an independent business. (http://www.investorwords.com/1696/employee.html) Graduate. A person who has received a degree or diploma on completing a course of study as in university, college, or school. (http://www.dictionary.reference.com/browse/graduate) Hotel and Restaurant Management. Refers to professional supervision techniques used in the hospitality sector. With hotel restaurant management skills, one is able to achieve the best services. These can include hotel management, financial statement, marketing, front office or front of house, food and, beverage management, catering, and maintenance. (http://www.ask.com/question/meaning-of-hotel-restaurant-management) Job. A group of homogeneous tasks related by similarity of functions. When performed by an employee in an exchange for pay, a job consists of duties, responsibilities, and tasks (performance elements) that are (1) defined and specific, and (2) can be accomplished, quantified, measured, and rated. (http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/job.html) Management. Management in business and organizations is the function that coordinates the efforts of people to accomplish goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively. Management comprises planning, organizing, staffing, leading or directing, and controlling an organization or initiative to accomplish a goal. (http://www.ask.com/) Salary. Part of a compensation package that employers provide to employees in exchange for performing specified services. (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-salary.htm) Tracer. Inquiry initiated to trace a piece of information to its originating document, or to locate a delayed or lost shipment from the point of its origin, by following its paper trail (audit trail) through every successive point where another data entry are documented. (http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/tracer.html) Tracer Study. The follow up of graduates of higher education or institutes that aims to evaluate ones progress up to the time he or she gets a job. This study assesses the availability and quality of graduates. University of La Salette. A Catholic and non-profit educational institution of higher learning owned and manage by the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette, that aims to produce competent graduates equipped with Christian Values.
Chapter 2
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES The review of related literature and studies guide the readers and researchers to further point out the answers to the various research questions established by the researchers and to find relevant justifications to the findings and observations taken into consideration in the investigation.
Related Literature Local Literature Today’s challenging economic situation means that it is no longer sufficient for a new graduate to have knowledge of an academic subject; increasingly it is necessary for students to gain skills which will enhance their prospects of employment. Hence, Higher Education Institutions must be responsive to these changes. Historically, academic institutions have tended to serve as institutions for moral and intellectual developmental as well as centers of civilization. With rapid economic development, they are now more utilitarian with emphasis of professional training. Their prime task is to ensure that education and training are market driven and responsive to the changing needs of the various sectors of the economy. In connection with this, Mercado (2004) mentioned the initiative of the Commission on Higher Education in the Philippines to spearhead the conduct GTS among the selected Higher Education Institutions in order to obtain data that would show if HEI’s are offering courses or programs that produce graduates to meet the needs of industry and society. Likewise, through GTS, HEI’s would be able to align their efforts with the manpower needs of industry (CHED CMO #38, s.2006, 11, s.1999). But, the estimated figures from the National Statistics Office (2010) showed the Philippines’ employment rate at 92.7%, unemployment rate at 7.3% and underemployment rate at 19.7%. With the new batches of graduates, these figures will surely change either for the better or for the worse. Lim (2000) offered a definition of the under underemployed in his paper which says, “Officially, the underemployment is defined as the employed people wanting more work”. Also, the Department of Labor, Philippines cautioned that unemployment is demoralizing. To feel unwanted and not to be able to make any contribution to society lowers man’s morale and makes him lose self-respect. Ironically, unemployment is what plagues millions of people in world today. It has hounded political leaderships out of power as it had acidly tested the mettle of the best development planners. Certainly, unemployment is present in any society, whatever its economic system and stage of development are. But its manifestations are no more precise and its effects more telling than on than on the poor developing nations. So much as that unemployment has emerged as the most striking system of underdevelopment. Moreover, as indicated in the President GMA’s 10 Point Legacy Program (2005), employment in the Philippines is largely labor-supply driven as persons who cannot find jobs in the formal market end up creating their own employment or looking for jobs overseas. Thus, Boaduo (2009) further emphasized that education is the most important mechanism for the empowerment of people for their socio-economic, political and technological development. It is for this reason that graduates should have the necessary knowledge and skills afforded to them by their respective educational institutions to make them competitive and eventually excel in their fields. Foreign Literature According to Kumar (1991), tracer studies are recommended to be carried at least a year after students have graduated. He also emphasized that in an ideal situation, the target graduates should not be too long on the job as to achieve an effective tracer feedback since it is often difficult to remember courses taken up to 10 years previously. Besides, reasons such as those who have changed addresses, changed jobs or gone overseas may make it difficult in tracing the graduates as explained by Zainab (2004). Furthermore, he said that a number of those located or reached were not willing to participate. Curran & Greenwald (2006) stressed that if graduates want an opportunity to get their feet in the door and prove themselves, they will have to redefine for their future employer what they have really learned after four years. Meanwhile, Wylie (2003) opined that graduates typically express open-mindedness and willingness to learn and try new ideas, that seasoned candidates, can sometimes have trouble with. They have an eagerness to prove themselves, which can spur an entire organization on to the next level. They are prepared for change, and embrace it, and are not jaded by past experiences in the industry as more seasoned professionals can be. Nor, are they set in the ways things should be done, s this is entirely new experience for them.
Local Studies Faced with these challenges of putting Philippines in the growing international tourism market, educational institutions have to strengthen its competitiveness in order to produce graduates worthy of employment. Notable finding of a tracer study by Celis and Felicen (2011), this research revealed that majority of Tourism graduates or 76. 74% landed a job related to their course, with a three-month waiting period. However, the research recommended a strong program for enhancement in communications skills for the students to be prepared as front liners in tourism industry. Further, that the university has to put up job consultation office to intensify its program on graduates’ employability. The studies of Menez and Ylagan (2011) whose findings revealed that there is a high demand for job opportunities of BS HRM and that the graduates of the said program immediately find employment along their field of specialization. In the light of the mandate that ULS has to provide a challenging relevant curriculum on the fulfillment of its mission, it is imperative for CBA-HRM to examine its curriculum to facilitate more effective learning among HRM students and thus better respond to the needs of tourism and hospitality industry. On the other hand, in the tracer study conducted by Ramirez et.al. (2009), the greater percentage of the respondents landed on the first job related to their course completed; obtained their first jobs within 6 months; have stayed in their first job almost more than one year and low salary is the number one reason who left their first job. Cueto (2013) on his study yielded that majority of the HRM graduates are professionals working as rank and file in HRM establishments. Salaries and benefits play a big role in staying or leaving their first job. Human relation skills and communication skills are deemed to be the most useful competencies learned by the graduates from LPU; perseverance was the highest work value for the respondents. Languages play an important role in in their work while professional subjects are relevant for job placement and the faculty member’s communication and mastery skills proved the most important in terms of school-related factors in terms of faculty and instruction. Foreign Studies A tracer study by Blasko (2002) looked at the pattern of possession of five key skills among graduates from seven countries. Skills considered in the study are oral and written communication skills, computer skills, ability to work in a team, problem solving, learning abilities/ reflective thinking, and assessing one’s own work. In the data, it revealed that computing skills are generally perceived as least important skill to be acquired in the UK and in six other European countries, communication skills and improving own performances were considered as the most important by the respondents in all the countries. The Tertiary EDUCATION Commission (TEC) of Mauritius (2009) conducted two tracer studies, some of the findings included that; more graduates were able to find work in 2008 than 1996, with full-time employment rising from 83.1% to 87.9% over the period., while the unemployment rate dropped concurrently from 5.3% to 1.9%; the level of underemployment amongst University of Mauritius Degree graduates, as reflected in the percentage of jobs requiring less than a degree, increased from 8.7% in 1996 to 20.9% in 2008; degree graduates were found to be more mobile in the labour market, with two thirds of respondents in the 2008. Study having occupied more than one job within the last five years, compared with 57 % in 1996, and both studies revealed that Engineering, Science and Agriculture graduates were less satisfied (with their University) than Social Studies& Humanities and Management graduates.
A TRACER STUDY OF THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HOTEL AND RESTAURANT MANAGEMENT GRADUATES OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF LA SALETTE FROM S.Y. 2011-2012 TO 2013-2014
_________________
An Action Research
Presented to
The Faculty of the College of Business Administration
University of La Salette
Santiago City
_________________
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HOTEL AND RESTAURANT MANAGEMENT
________________
by
Mimi Pearl Galiza
Christian Paul Gamatan
Marie Shayne Javier
Alber Meneses
Christopher Don Samonte
August 2014 