Formación investigativa y desarrollo de competencias laborales en graduados universitarios

Introduction: Research training is a fundamental part of university education because it contributes to the development of skills that can be transferred to the workplace. Objective: Determine the relationship between research training and the development of job competencies in university graduates. Method: A quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional, and correlational study was conducted. They were graduates of the Basic Education program at the State University of Milagro, in the 2025-2026 period. To evaluate the variables and their dimensions, two self-perception instruments were used. The statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS, employing descriptive statistics, normality tests, and the Spearman correlation test. Results: The overall mean of research training was 2.877, and job competencies had a mean of 2.970. A positive, moderate, and statistically significant correlation was found between both variables (ρ = 0.466; p < 0.001). The strongest association demonstrated by methodological knowledge was with digital competencies (ρ = 0.50), while information management was primarily linked to work-life balance (ρ = 0.47). Discussion: The obtained results confirm the need to incorporate research experiences aimed at the development of professional, digital, and autonomous learning competencies. Conclusions: The relationship between research training and job competencies becomes evident. As a practical contribution, an eight-week program was developed, consisting of 16 sessions, aimed at strengthening research skills and their transfer to professional performance.