The in-demand college courses in the Philippines

     The Philippines is a developing country with a fast growing economy. In fact, we are the second fastest growing economy in the world next to China according to economists. But despite of that, many are still jobless, a number of people are still unemployed. Job mismatch is one reason experts believe to be the cause of what seems to be an eternal problem in our country.

     Job or skills mismatch is the gap between individual's job skills and the demands of the market. For example, there are ten thousand nursing students who graduated this year, but hospitals or health institutions who really need nurses, offer only one hundred vacant positions for them. Obviously, it is not enough to accommodate these graduates who wants to work as a nurse.  As a result, some of them turn to Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)  for a job. They work in companies not even related to their courses. Some work in drugstores or pharmacies.

      To avoid this phenomena, the Philippine government actually released its lists of in-demand courses for this school year. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) released on March 25, 2014 the official list of in-demand and priority college courses for A.Y. 2014-2015 and A.Y. 2017-2018.

The official list of in-demand college courses for 2014-2018:

1. Agriculture and Related Fields (15%)

• Agro-Forestry
• Veterinatry Medicine
• Agricultural Engineering
• Agribusiness/Management
• Agricultural Entrepreneurship
• Agricultural Technology
• Agriculture
• Fisheries
• BS Food Technology
• Agricultural Economics

2. Engineering (15%)

• Mechanical
• Electronics
• Communication
• Metallurgical/Mining
• Computer
• Biomedical
• Chemical
• Geodetic
• Electrical
• Meteorological
• Mining
• Goelogical
• Sanitary Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Electronics and Communication Engineering
• Petroleum Engineering
• Bio Chemical Engineering

3. Science and Math (13%)

• BS Mathematics
• BS Physics
• BS Biology
• BS Chemistry
• BS Marine Biology/Science
• BS Applied Physics
• BS Geology
• BS Earth Science
• BS Applied Mathematics
• BS Statistics/Applied Statistics
• Atmospheric Science
• Environmental Science

4. Information Technology (10%)

• Information Technology and Computing Studies
• Multimedia
• Animation
• Programming
• Computer Science
• Information System Management
• Bachelor in Library Science & Information System Major in System Analysis

5. Teacher Education major in (10%)

• Mathematics
• Science
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Reading
• English
• Educational Media/Technology
• Special Education (SPED)
• Human Kinetics
• Physical Education and Sports Science
• Bachelor of Physical Education major in School PE
• Early Childhood Education
• Environmental Planning (for teachers)
• MAPEH
• Music Education
• Art Education
• Health Education

6. Health Sciences (10%)

• Pharmacy
• Radiology Technology
• Medical Technology
• Physical Therapy
• BS Nutrition

7. Arts and Humanities (5%)

• Creative and Performing Arts
• BS Religious Education
• BS Philosophy
• BS Theology

8. Social and Behavioral Sciences (5%)

• BS Psychology
• BS Social Work
• Human Development
• Guidance and Counseling

9. Business Administration and Related Courses (5%)

• BS Accountancy
• Business Data Outsourcing
• Business Process Outsourcing
• Construction Management
• Tourism

10. Architecture (5%)

• BS Architecture
• Landscape Architecture
• Interior Design
• Environmental Planning
• Fine Arts
• Urban Planning

11. Maritime (2%)

• BS Marine Transportation

12. Communication (2%)

• BA Communication
• BA Journalism
• BA Broadcasting
• BS Development Communication

13. Others (to be determined by each Regional Office)

Photo Credit: localpulse.net

Source: ched.gov.ph