Correlation Analysis of the General Weighted Average and On-The -Job Training Grades of the Computer Engineering of the University of Mindanao

Abstract

For years, the preparedness of students to enter the employment world has been affected due to the misalignment of academic skills and industry-related skills. This study explores the correlation between the general weighted average (GWA) and the on-the-job training (OJT) grades of the Computer Engineering graduates of the University of Mindanao from the Academic Year 2017-2018 to 2021-2022. The GWA and OJT grades of ninety-eight student records, representing the total number of graduates from 2018 to 2022, were logically adopted for analysis in this study to establish the relationship between academic achievement and practical skills performance. The GWA of the students shows a fair rating, with an average of 82.10%, while their OJT grades average 92.33%, indicating a very good rating. Additionally, the test for a significant relationship between the two variables yielded a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.255, indicating a weak but positive relationship. With a p-value of 0011, the result suggests that the observed correlation is statistically significant and unlikely to occur due to chance. It can be inferred that there is a weak positive correlation between Academic Performance and students' OJT grades, suggesting that other factors likely contribute more significantly to Academic Performance. To correlate students' academic performance (GWA) with their OJT grades, it is recommended that the OJT evaluation parameters be reviewed to include the specific skills applied that are directly relevant to students' subjects, such as programming, hardware design, networking, and basic cybersecurity.