The Sectoral and Skills Mismatch between the Senior High School Program and the Top In-Demand Jobs and Projected In-demand Jobs in the Province of Cebu, Philippines

Abstract

This study aims to decipher whether the senior high school tracks, academic strands, and the Technical Vocational and Livelihood (TVL) specializations offered in the different congressional districts in the Province of Cebu match with the needs and demands of the local jobs and industries. In order to determine if there is a match or a mismatch, the study compares the top-5 in-demand jobs of 2017 and top 5 projected in-demand jobs (2018-2022) in the identified districts with the top 5 senior high school tracks, academic strands, and top 5  Technical-Vocational and Livelihood (TVL)  specializations offered using descriptive survey method. The study finds that there exists a sectoral or district mismatch because most of the senior high school tracks specifically the TLV strands do not match with the most in-demand and projected in-demand jobs per district. A skills mismatch also exists particularly the skills gap or the skills deficit because the skills of the senior high school tracks and TVL strands offered in the different districts do not match with the skills needed or required by the most in-demand and projected in-demand jobs of these districts. The study concludes that the existence of sectoral or district mismatch and the skills mismatch is due to the fact that most senior high school tracks and strands that are offered in the different congressional districts of the province of Cebu are not in accordance with the most in-demand and projected in-demand jobs of the districts. Hence, the study recommends that there should be close coordination among stakeholders in order to address the skills gap in the province of Cebu. Also, there is a need to offer senior high school tracks, strands and TVL specializations that address or respond to the skills needed by the most in-demand jobs and projected in-demand jobs in every district.  Finally, there has to be a periodic close monitoring on the job-skills mismatch in every district of the province through research and evaluation.