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.