Influencing Factors of Employment Competitiveness in Relation to The Effects on Compensation of Higher Vocational Graduates Serving Regional Rail Transit Sectors

Studying can give you an advantage in your future career but to apply for a job that specify that one must a graduate, one must more likely be competing against others who have the same or similar academic qualifications and or preparation. Therefore, it is one’s employability, the type of skills, abilities and personal qualities that a job applicant must possess could make one a stand out. This study explored the influencing factors of employment competitiveness in relation to the effects on compensation of higher vocational graduates serving regional rail transit sectors. It used a validated high reliability questionnaire in collecting data from 310 graduate respondents, employing comparative-correlational methods. The findings revealed that the following factors, namely professional cognition, occupational planning factor, work factor, hobbies and interest, working attitude and abilities, educational background and professional setting, professional learning practical ability, student cadre experience are influential in their employment competitiveness. Moreover, the personal profiles of the respondents were found significant in their assessments of employment competitiveness. Similarly, the domains of compensation factors showed great extent of effect among employment competitiveness among graduates of rail transit higher vocational schools consisted of: negotiate of salary and benefits, additional responsibilities, develop new skills and qualification, and advocacy for fair compensation practices. A strong correlation results signifies a strong positive and significant relationship between factors of employment competitiveness and domains of effect factors on compensation. These findings are bases for developing career programs for schools in ensuring the future of rail transit graduates for immediate employment.