EMPLOYABILITY AND PRODUCTIVITY OFAGRICULTURE GRADUATES OF STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES IN CENTRAL LUZON PHILIPPINES

The study aimed to investigate the employability and productivity of agriculture graduates of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in Central Luzon, Philippines. The agricultural state colleges and universities include Central Luzon State University in Nueva Ecija, Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology in Nueva Ecija, Pampanga Agricultural College in Pampanga, Bulacan Agricultural State College in Bulacan, Bataan Peninsula State University in Bataan and Ramon Magsaysay Technological University in Zambales This research study made use of descriptive design which examines information without introducing changes in the study variables. Additionally, it is quantitative in nature aimed at determining the relationship between the study variables in the study. A questionnaire was used as the main instrument in gathering data. A total of four hundred seventeen (417) respondents were selected from the graduates of selected SUCs in Region III. The study revealed that more than three-fourth of the respondents (76.26) secured an employment after graduation. Employment status revealed that only 38.00 percent carries a regular status while 33.20 percent have a temporary or casual status and 28.80 percent have contractual status. A great number of the respondents are found to have been working in private companies. With regard to the monthly gross income of the respondents, 44.65% of the respondents are receiving a monthly income of P5, 000 to P 9,999 while 29.25% divulged to have been receiving more than P10, 000 and above and 26.10% are earning P4, 999 and below. The findings of the study revealed that among the respondents, 44.80% are reported to have received promotions. These agriculture graduates were deemed responsible and highly productive. On the other hand, more than half of the respondents (55.20%) revealed that they have not yet experienced receiving any promotions. The data showed statistically positive results in the perceived job performance of the respondents. It can be inferred based on the findings of the study that the respondents have a positive perception of their performance at work that 40.25% rated themselves as very satisfactory, 32.70% considered themselves to be outstanding at work, and 27.50 believed to have rendered satisfactory job performance. Out of the three hundred eighteen (318) employed respondents, one hundred seventeen (117) or 36.79% had one year work experience; one hundred three (103) or 32.39% had two (2) years of work tenure; and ninety-eight (98) or 30.82% had been employed for three (3) years.