COMPETENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY AS THRESHOLD TO

Abstract

Title Competency and Productivity as Threshold to Marketability of Dualtech

Center Graduates

Researcher Marvin P. Adolfo

Adviser Professor Ana Liza M. Ragos

School Adamson University

No. of Pages 165

Year October 2006

Degree Master of Science in Management Engineering

This study assessed the relationship between competency and productivity as threshold to

marketability of Dualtech Center graduates. The subjects of the study were two hundred ninety

nine workers (299) employed from three (3) types of manufacturing industries namely: Food and

consumer products, cars and automotive parts, and electronics and semiconductor companies.

The study utilized the descriptive method of research to describe the relationship between factors

of competency and factors of productivity of workers who are technical vocational graduates of

Dualtech Center. Researcher-made questionnaire was used as data gathering instruments for the

study and some documents were also utilized to gather additional information relevant to the

study. The content of the questionnaire was evaluated on appropriateness, clarity of language and

content. A reliability test was conducted using Cronbach’s Alpha which resulted in a reliability

coefficient of 0.9330. The data were statistically treated using percentage, frequency, weighted

mean and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation.

 The employer respondents perceived that there is a significant relationship between

competency and productivity. In the same manner, that each factors of competency manifested

significant relationship in terms of the factors of productivity and obtained a satisfactory rating.

Thus, the null hypothesis that there is no significant relationship between competency and

productivity as a threshold to marketability of graduates is rejected.

Based on the findings of this study, majority of the workers are young with regular

appointment mostly assigned as production technicians in the Calabarzon area and who receive a

monthly salary above the minimum wage. Dualtech Center has fulfilled its mission in shaping

the young and marginalized sector in the society to become future workers in the industry and

useful citizen to the country. In terms of relationship between competency and productivity as a

threshold to marketability of the worker, it can be concluded that the employer-respondents

perceived both factors as significant at a certain degree such that, Technical Knowledge,

Communications Skills, Work Attitude and Personal Qualities are necessary for a worker to

become marketable that will lead him to a career that is in line with his field of study. The

findings imply that 2-year vocational course graduates are capable to find gainful employment as

workers in the shop floor level in any kind of industry. Strengthening the academic-linkages is

necessary in order that the graduates of Dualtech Center will be marketably preferred more than

the graduates of other vocational schools in terms of employment.

Based on the findings and the conclusions of this study, it is offered that top management

should review its present linkages with its partner-companies that will include a career

development program for the workers to ensure lifetime employability and continuous

marketability of the graduates. More than technical skills, the importance of a good working

attitude as a basis for competency should be inculcated in the minds of the students of Dualtech
Center as primarily important to their would-be employers in terms of marketability. It is

recommended that seminars on values formation should focus on concern for work, diligence

and discipline. It is recommended that the Employment Office of Dualtech Center maximize its

linkage with the graduates who are employed in non-partner companies. Maintaining constant

communication with them in terms of new openings that are available make the graduates as the

extended marketing arm of the school. This will help expand the existing marketability program

of Dualtech Center. The weakness found by the employer-respondents on the communication

skills aspect of the workers can best be addressed in terms of practical use of the language. It is

recommended that the students be exposed to conversational use of the language in the subjects

being taught. It is recommended for top management to include entrepreneur skills in its present

program that may help expand the marketability potential of the graduates in order to make them

self made managers on their own other than becoming mere workers in the industry. It is

recommended that the redesigned quality manpower program be tested by top management to

one batch of enrollees that will serve as a pilot group for purpose of evaluating whether

competency and productivity of the workers improve marketability. This research can be

replicated by future researchers to validate its findings by setting additional variables and

criteria.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
Title Page ………………………………………………. i
Approval Sheet ………………………………………………. ii
Dedication ………………………………………………. iii
Acknowledgement ………………………………………………. iv
Abstract ………………………………………………. vi
Table of Contents ………………………………………………. ix
List of Tables ………………………………………………. xi
List of Figures ………………………………………………. xiii
List of Appendices ………………………………………………. xiv

CHAPTER

1. THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction 1

Historical Background of the Study 3

Conceptual Framework 6

Statement of the Problem 11

Hypothesis 12

Significance of the Study 12

Scope and Delimitations of the Study 13

Definition of Terms 14

2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

Local Literature 17

Foreign Literature 20

Local Studies 23

Foreign Studies 27

Relevance to the Present Study 30

 3. METHOD AND PROCEDURE

Method of Research 32

Sample and Sampling Technique 32

Research Instrument 35

Data Gathering Procedure 37

Statistical Treatment of Data 37

4. PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

OF DATA 40

5. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND

RECOMMENDATIONS

Summary of Findings 85

Conclusions 97

Recommendations 98

BIBLIOGRAPHY 100
APPENDICES 107
 LIST OF TABLES

TABLE Page

1 Frequency and Percentage Distribution of Workers' Age 40

2 Frequency and Percentage Distribution of Workers'

Location of Present Job 42

3 Frequency and Percentage Distribution of Workers'

Department Assignment 43

4 Frequency and Percentage Distribution of Workers' Position 45

5 Frequency and Percentage Distribution of Workers' Employment Status 47

6 Frequency and Percentage Distribution of Workers' Monthly Salary 48

7 Frequency and Percentage Distribution of Workers'

Academic Grade Performance 50

8 Employer-Respondents' Satisfaction on the Extent of the Competency

of their Workers in Terms of Technical Knowledge 52

9 Employer- Respondents' Satisfaction on the Extent of the Competency

of their Workers in Terms of Communication Skills 54

10 Employer-Respondents' Satisfaction on the Extent of the Competency

of their Workers in Terms of Work Attitude 56

11 Employer-Respondents' Satisfaction on the Extent of the Competency

of their Workers in Terms of Personal Qualities 58

12 Employer-Respondents' Satisfaction on the Extent of the

Competency of their Workers 60
13 Workers' Productivity in Terms of Waiting Time for Employment 64

14 Workers' Productivity in Terms of Salary 66

15 Workers' Productivity in Terms of Promotion 68

16 Workers' Productivity in Terms of Employment Opportunities 70

17 Relationship Between the Competency and Productivity of the

Dualtech Center Graduates 73
 LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE Page

1 Research Paradigm 10

2 Percentage Distribution of Workers' Age 41

3 Percentage Distribution of Workers' Location of Present Job 42

4 Percentage Distribution of Workers' Department Assignment 44

5 Percentage Distribution of Workers' Position in the

Current Employment 46

6 Percentage Distribution of Workers' Employment Status 47

7 Percentage Distribution of Workers' Monthly Salary 49

8 Percentage Distribution of Workers’ Academic Grade Performance 51

9 Percentage Distribution of Workers’ Productivity in Terms of

Waiting for Employment 65

10 Percentage Distribution of Workers’ Productivity in Terms of Salary 67

11 Percentage Distribution of Workers’ Productivity in Terms of Promotion 69

12 Percentage Distribution of Workers’ Productivity in Terms of

Employment Opportunities 71
 LIST OF APPENDICES

APPENDIX Page

A National Wages and Productivity Commission 108

Wage Order Numbers NCR-12b

National Wages and Productivity Commission 109

Wage Order Numbers IVA-11

B Permission to from the Dean of Graduates School to 110

Conduct Research

C Certification of Research Conducted from the Respondents 111

D Reliability Analysis Scale 150

E Survey Questionnaire 151

F Statistical Base Data 155