GAP ANALYSIS BETWEEN

EMPLOYMENT AND THE SKILLS

IN TECHNICAL/VOCATIONAL

PROGRAMS TAUGHT IN

SPED INSTITUTIONS

FOR THE YEAR 2012

Rationale

The public is already aware with the existence of special children or generally those persons with disabilities. Special Education (SpEd) Centers have been built for them and SpEd teachers are teaching them with the accessible resources and materials necessary for them to learn. But does everybody know where will they be going after they finish their Special Education program?

Through this study, people will be made aware of the integration of these persons with disabilities within the locality of Cebu Province.

This will give them better views about the capacity of persons with disabilities and their ability to contribute in our economy.

PWDs, too, have the same dignity and rights to become productive like anybody else.

This ideal could be further intensified through redirecting the attention of the people to their abilities instead of their stereotyped disabilities.

Statement of the Problem

The theory of Functionalism states that a modern economy depends for its prosperity on using human capital, its workers and skills, in order to maintain a social body. Persons with disabilities are among the members of a social body, and hence, also contribute to the economy – one of which is through employment. In lieu to this, the challenges that persons with disabilities face in the course of employment in Cebu province for the year 2012 is aimed to be viewed through this research work.

This study aims to answer the following questions:

1. What are the skills taught in vocational training institutions for persons with disabilities?

2. What are the skills required in the different companies within Cebu province that employ persons with disabilities?

3. What are the challenges met by the PWDs in the course of employment?

Research Design Descriptive research was used in conducting this study in which it utilized both the quantitative and qualitative research.

Quantitative research uses numerical analysis while qualitative research on the other hand uses systematic subjective approach in describing data. The technique used in gathering data is Survey, which is a fact-finding study with adequate and accurate interpretation.

Research EnvironmentCebu Province

Research Respondents3 SPED Institutions and 50 employed PWDs (Random Sampling)

Methodology

Research Instruments checklist, inventory, interview questionnaire

Data Gathering ProceduresA. Preliminary Data Gathering Procedure

Letters were sent to SPED Institutions and the different government agencies

B. Actual Gathering Procedure

The researchers went to the offices, gathered documents, conducted informal interviews and observations.

Findings

G.I.S.

Challenges of PWDs towards Employment:

Competition with the regular applicants

Efficiency issues at work

Good communication skills

Discrimination

Sense of responsibility of PWDs towards work

Conclusion

PWDs in the Cebu province are integrated in the field of work. The technical/vocational programs offered by SPED institutions have provided skills necessary for PWDs to earn a job.

Computer skills are very important in teaching PWDs since computer related jobs provide more employment opportunities for them.

The factors that served as barriers in the integration of PWDs in the work force are the following:

competition with the regular applicants,

efficiency issues,

good communication skills,

discrimination; and

sense of responsibility of PWDs towards their work

Recommendation

To address the employment of PWDs the researchers recommend the following:

SPED Institutions should look into the trends in employment and if possible collaboration from schools, government agencies and employers in tracking the integration of PWDs in the work force.

Utilization of modified communication techniques that suits the exceptionality of the PWDs in order for them to communicate well and perform better in their job.

Similar researchers should be conducted in neighboring provinces to see the integration of PWDs in terms of employment, as a result to successful SPED programs.

PWDs should be given the chance to be employed, given that they were able to meet the requirements for a certain position.