Title: Competencies of Agribusiness Graduates Sought by Agribusiness Key Players in Bicol
Region
Introduction
Industry trends brought by globalization, technology and people suggest pressures to improve
educational programs in order that graduates may be able to adjust to new circumstances in the
workforce. In the agribusiness sector, developing an effective curriculum program for agribusiness
requires an assessment of the changing needs and perceptions of the prospective workforce. This study
sought to provide benchmark data on the required core competencies of agribusiness graduates for use in
CBSUA curriculum. Additional input was sought on the future growth areas that would likely affect the
future preparation of agribusiness graduates.
Statement of the Problem
This study aimed to identify the required core competencies of agribusiness graduates for use in
CBSUA agribusiness curriculum.
Specifically, the study aimed to answer the following:
1. What knowledge, skills, and attitudes agribusiness key players believed should be used to guide
agribusiness instructional efforts in CBSUA?
2. What knowledge, skills, and attributes agribusiness alumni believed should be used to guide
agribusiness instructional efforts in CBSUA?
3. What agribusiness competencies are developed by agribusiness course in CBSUA?
4. What are the major trends that will affect the future preparation of agribusiness course graduates
in the region?
5. What are the differences in the perception of the agribusiness key players, alumni and CBSUA on
the competencies of agribusiness graduates and perceptions of how major trends will affect them?
Objectives:
Generally, this study will determine the competencies of agribusiness graduates for use of
CBSUA curriculum and as required by key-players in Bicol region.
1. To determine what knowledge, skills, and attitudes agribusiness key players believed should be
used to guide agribusiness instructional efforts in CBSUA.
2. To determine what knowledge, skills, and attitudes agribusiness alumni believed should be used
to guide agribusiness instructional efforts in CBSUA.
3. To know what agribusiness competencies are developed by agribusiness course in CBSUA.
4. To analyze what are the major trends that will affect the future preparation of agribusiness
graduates in the region.
5. To determine what are the differences in the perception of the agribusiness key players, alumni,
and CBSUA on the competencies of agribusiness graduates and perceptions of how major trends
will affect them.
Scope and Limitation of the Study
The study focused on respondents within the Bicol region. The competency factors determined
were knowledge, skills and attitude. Such factors were considered to be significant contributors to the
development of an effective curriculum that is responsive to the needs of the labor market. The sudy
concentrated on the knowledge, skills, and attitude of both job-bound agribusiness graduates and those
who are bound for entrepreneurship.
Significance of the Study
The results of this study may benefit the following stakeholders and key players of the
agribusiness sector:
CBSUA Policy-makers. The expected output of the study will provide a bird’s eye view of the quality of
graduates to be produced. In this manner, this may serve as benchmark in reviewing and revising the
agribusiness curriculum of the University.
Employers. The demand side of human resource may use this study in determining what skills to expect
from agribusiness graduates. This could serve as their basis for hiring and their guide in developing the
career paths of their manpower.
Faculty. Serving as instruments in developing the competencies of the students, the faculty may find this
useful in devising ways of how the subjects can effectively build up the required competencies required
by industry employers and agribusiness sector itself.
CHED. As the authority in the formulation of academic policies in the tertiary level, the CHED may find
the study useful in setting standards for business-related courses in higher education particularly
agribusiness. This study may help in determining the core subjects in the curriculum that need to be
changed, added, or removed in response to the changing needs of the agribusiness sector. The
modification or inclusion of job-related studies in the curriculum could be used as a policy matter of the
commission.
Academe Industry. The study may be used by other colleges and universities offering agribusiness or
business-related course in evaluating their existing curriculum. The end results of this study may also
serve as a guide for academicians who intend to come up with a competency research to their respective
fields.
Students. The findings of this study may guide the students to become responsive to the trends in human
resource requirements of the different industries in the agribusiness sector. Moreover, they will become
aware of the knowledge, skills and attitude needed to be as competitive as other agribusiness graduate in
other universities. In this way, this may help them prepare for the kind of training that will be provided by
the college.
Definition of Terms
Academe refers to sector that provides formal education. It is the supply side of manpower. It
specifically refers to colleges and universities.
Agribusiness is a field of study that deals with all operations involved in a farm or agricultural
enterprise. It is commonly referred as a business course applied to agricultural commodities and its by-
products.
Agribusiness alumni are agribusiness graduates of Central Bicol state University of Agriculture.
Attitude is the underlying characteristics that a person expresses.
Competency refers to knowledge, skills, and attitude possessed by an individual relevant for an
occupation.
Core competencies are the generic competencies of an individual, which can be applied in a
number of settings.
Faculty refers to agribusiness teachers or educators.
Graduate is a person who has completed a course in a CHED-accredited college or university.
Knowledge refers to the technical competency or information that allows a person to perform an act or
job.