Navigating Transitions: Challenges in the Employability of the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education Graduates

Authors

Lorena D. Galate ORCID icon for Lorena D. Galate

College of Education, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University Mid La Union Campus (Philippines)

Ronie Rose A. Abuan ORCID icon for Ronie Rose A. Abuan

College of Education, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University Mid La Union Campus (Philippines)

Anne Claire O. Nopueto ORCID icon for Anne Claire O. Nopueto

College of Education, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University Mid La Union Campus (Philippines)

Saira D. Cuison ORCID icon for Saira D. Cuison

College of Education, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University Mid La Union Campus (Philippines)

Jun C. Mabalo ORCID icon for Jun C. Mabalo

College of Education, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University Mid La Union Campus (Philippines)

Dr. Cedric Anthony E. Ochoco ORCID icon for Dr. Cedric Anthony E. Ochoco

College of Education, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University Mid La Union Campus (Philippines)

Dr. Oscar O. Ancheta Jr. ORCID icon for Dr. Oscar O. Ancheta Jr.

College of Education, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University Mid La Union Campus (Philippines)

Dannah Mae P. Marzan ORCID icon for Dannah Mae P. Marzan

College of Education, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University Mid La Union Campus (Philippines)

Article Information

DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS.2026.10200164

Subject Category: Education

Volume/Issue: 10/2 | Page No: 2172-2179

Publication Timeline

Submitted: 2026-02-08

Accepted: 2026-02-14

Published: 2026-02-27

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the employability challenges faced by BECEd graduates, with a particular emphasis on their job readiness and the connection between their academic training and workplace requirements. It looks into essential competencies, experiential learning, and systemic barrier, especially within the Philippine context to offer insights that can enhance curriculum development, support systems, and employment outcomes in early childhood education.This study investigates the challenges in employability of early childhood education (ECE) graduates is crucial for ensuring the quality of early childhood programs and fostering the development of young children. Research shows that ECE graduates encounter various challenges regarding their employability and perceived readiness, which affect their transition into the workforce. Studies investigate these challenges focusing on the alignment between academic training and workplace demands.

Keywords

Bachelor of early childhood education graduates Strengths and Weaknesses of graduates Teachers

Downloads

References

1. Ancheta Jr, Oscar & Casem, Remalyn. (2024). Navigating Educational Crossroads:An In-Depth Analysis of the Indigenous Peoples Education (IPED) Program in Santol, La Union, Philippines. Volume 9. 977. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Bahr, T. Integrating making in early childhood education. How teachers’ technology-related competencies make a difference. Int J Technol Des Educ (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-025-10032-z [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84(2), 191–215. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.84.2.191 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2022). Thematic analysis. In H. Cooper, P. M. Camic, D. L. Long, psychology (Vol. 2, pp. 57-71). American Psychological Association.https://doi.org/10.1037/13620-004 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Boyd, W., & Lawley, M. (2009). Graduates’ perceptions of the impact of their university experiences on their development of employability attributes. Education + Training, 51(4), 282–293. https://doi.org/10.1108/00400910910964890 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Bhattacherjee, A. (2024). Survey research: Questionnaire surveys. Social Science Research: Principles, Methods, and Practices. Retrieved from Work and Human Services/Shttps://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Soocial_Science_Research__Principles_Methods_and_Practices_(Bhattacherjee)/09%3A_Survey_Research/9.02%3A_Questionnaire_Surveys [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Cesa, R. M., Dela Cruz, J. M., & Santiago, M. A. (2025). Pre-service teachers’ perception of readiness following internship experience. Multidisciplinary Research Journal,5(2),4560.https://www.multiresearchjournal.com/arclist/list-2025.5.2/id-4193 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Knight, P. T., & Yorke, M. (2003). Employability and good learning in higher education. Teaching in Higher Education, 8(1), 3–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/1356251032000052294 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Paris, D., & Winn, M. T. (2021). Humanizing pedagogies in early childhood education: A culturally responsive approach to teaching young learners. Early Childhood Education Journal, 49(4), 567–580. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Philippine Institute for Development Studies. (2019). Issues and challenges in early childhood care and development in the Philippines. PIDS Policy Notes No. 2019-07. https://pids.gov.ph/publications/6902 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Philippine Business for Education. (2025, July 7). Education crisis persists, graduates-employment gap widens. INQUIRER.net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2079302/ pbed-education-crisis-persists-as-graduates-employment-gap-widens [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Pool, L. D., & Sewell, P. (2007). The key to employability: Developing a practical model of graduate employability. Education + Training, 49(4), 277–289.https://doi.org/10.1108/00400910710754435 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Teflpedia contributors. (2024, April 30). Criterion sampling. Teflpedia. May 8, 2025, from https://teflpedia.com/index.php?title=Criterion_sampling&oldid=136006 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Teijeiro, Mercedes; Rungo, Paolo; Freire, M. (2013). Graduate competencies and employability: The impact of matching firms’ needs and personal attainments. Economics of Education Review, 34(C), 286–295. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econedurev.2013.01.003 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Vibert, A., Dunlop, J., & Pung, D. (2021). Explanatory sequential mixed methods: A guide for researchers. Publisher. https://www.researchgate.net/pu [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

Metrics

Views & Downloads

Similar Articles