Investigating the Relationships Among The Forced Shift to Remote Learning, Employability and Work Readiness of Recent College Graduates

Abstract

Abstract Since the Covid-19 crisis manifested, it has drastically changed educational landscapes worldwide, with the Philippines grappling with digital disparities exacerbating inequality. Current studies mainly explore the immediate impact of enforced remote learning on academic performance and practical skills. However, there is an underexplored area concerning the effect on recent college graduates' employability and work readiness. This study aims to address this gap, focusing on the Philippines context. Valid responses from 131 recent college graduates were analyzed, revealing that the shift to remote learning significantly contributed to perceived employability (R2 = 0.458) and work readiness (R2 = 0.441). However, when examining the demographic profile, findings reported that it did not substantially influence these outcomes in the hierarchical regression model. This study broadens our understanding of the pandemic's far-reaching implications on higher education outcomes.