Employment demand for civil engineers. Implications to curriculum improvement

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page

Approval Sheet

Acknowledgment

Dedication

Abstract

Table of Contents

Chapter One - INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Statement of the Problem
Objectives of the Study
Significance of the Study
Scope and Limitations
Theoretical Framework
Conceptual Framework
Paradigm
Hypothesis
Definition of Terms

Chapter Two - REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES
Related Literatures
Related Studies
Similarities and Differences 40

Chapter Three - METHODOLOGY
Locale of the Study
The Respondents
The Variables and Their Measures
Research Design
Research Instruments
Scoring and Interpretation
Population and Sampling
Validation of Research Instrument
Data Gathering Procedures
Statistical Treatment of Data

Chapter Four Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation of the Data
Profile of the Civil Engineer-Respondents
Employment Demand for Civil Engineers as Perceived By themselves and by their Immediate Supervisors
Test of Difference Between the Perceptions of the
Civil Engineer-Respondents and their Immediate
Supervisors on Employment demand for Civil Engineers
Test of Relationship Between Civil Engineer-Respondents Profile and their Employment Demands
Status of the Civil Engineering of the University of Eastern Philippines in terms of Curriculum and Instruction

Chapter Five Summary, Conclusions, Implications and Recommendations Summary Conclusions and Implications
Recommendations

BIBLIOGRAPHY

APPENDICES

Letter to the Respondents

Questionnaire for Civil Engineer-Respondents

Questionnaire for Immediate Supervisor

Questionnaire for the Status of Civil Engineering Curriculum

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This piece of work was completed through the efforts of a team of people. The researcher would like to thank them all for dedication, commitment, and zeal they had in the realization of this study.

Dr. Myrna A. Poso, his thesis adviser, for her encouragement, expertise and for extending her immeasurable professional assistance and support from visualization up to the realization of this research endeavor.

Prof. Chona Froilan, Chair of the Graduate School, for her persistence in encouraging the researcher to finish this manuscript.

Panel of examiners, Dr. Luisito P. Muncada, Prof. Roberto C. Gudio, Prof. Nida A. Pulga, and Prof. Jocelyn P. Igdon for their time and effort extended in giving constructive criticism and sharing useful knowledge that enhanced the purpose of this undertaking.

Prof. Emma L. Legatub, his statistician, for her assistance in the manipulation and statistical analysis of data.

His friends Rica, Rhea, Geof, Jojo, Oliver, Lhel, Virgel, Gigi, Jimel, Ted, Baron and Dondon for believing and encouraging him in completing this research.

To the engineers in DPWH, PEO and NIA, special mention to Engrs. Gonzales, Sally Alegre, Buen Poso and Ched for their generous assistance in gathering the data from all the respondents all over the second district of Northern Samar.

Joan and Jeremiah Ezekiel, his source of strength, for their unfading love, understanding and inspiration that gave the researcher the courage in finishing this study.

The Almighty God, for giving hin wisdom and discernment in living life to its fullest.

DEDICATION

The Almighty God; for giving me the gift of life..

Joan and Jeremiah Ezekiel, my God's given gift; for making my worldly existence meaningful..

Tatay and Nanay; for raising me to be a courageous person.. Jena & Oliver, Aay & Joy, and the kids; for adding color to my life..

This valuable undertaking is humbly dedicated.

Jimmy

ABSTRACT

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This study was conducted to determine the employment demand for civil engineers and its implications to curriculum improvement.

Specifically, this study aimed to know the profile of the civil engineer-respondents in terms of age, sex, eligibility, status of employment, number of trainings/seminars attended, number of years of experience, and highest educational attainment; to know the employment demand for civil engineers, who are UEP graduates, in terms of communication skills, computer skills, managerial skills, technical expertise, environmental awareness, linkages with other agencies and keeping abreast with new technologies as perceived by themselves and by their immediate supervisors. The study also assessed the relationship between the profile of the civil engineer-respondents and their employment demand. The difference of the perceptions of the civil engineer-respondents and their immediate supervisors on employment demands were also looked into.

This study employed descriptive-correlational method of research involving two groups of respondents, the 55 civil engineer-respondents and the 15 immediate supervisors. Three sets of questionnaire were utilized to gather information needed in this study. First set was on the profile of the civil engineer-respondents and perception on employment demand. The second set was on the perception of the immediate supervisor on the employment demand. The third set of the questionnaire that was utilized in gathering information on the status of civil engineering program was the AACUP instrument. The data gathered where analyzed and interpreted using, frequency counts and percentages, mean, t- test and chi-square.

As regards to the profile of the respondents, majority of the respondents were males and 34 - 37 years old. As to eligibility, all passed the Licensure Examination for Civil Engineer, others had passed the following national examinations, Civil Service Professional Examination, Civil Service Sub-Professional Examination, Master Plumber Licensure Examination, and Licensure Examination for Teachers. As regards to the category of employment, majority was in contractual basis, and few were employed in permanent and casual basis. As to the position of the respondents, they are working in the jobs related to the field of civil engineering and only few work on assignment not related to civil engineering.

As to trainings/seminars attended, most attended 1-3 trainings/seminars.

Most of the respondents have 7 years and above of experience and majority are degree holders, only few pursue post graduate studies.

The civil engineers perceived on employment demand as moderately needed, ranking as first is managerial skills while communication skills was observed to be the lowest. The immediate supervisors perceived on employment demand as much needed, wherein keeping abreast with new technologies is the highest and communication skills was perceived to be the lowest.

There is no significant difference on the employment demand of civil engineers between civil engineer-respondents and immediate supervisors in terms of communication skills, computer skills and technical expertise, while there is significant difference on the employment demand of civil engineers between civil engineer­respondents and immediate supervisors in terms of managerial skills, environmental awareness, linkages with other agencies and keeping abreast with new technologies.

The findings further revealed that there is no significant relationship between the respondents' employment demand in terms of communication skills, computer skills, technical expertise, linkages with other agencies and keeping abreast with new technologies to their age, sex, eligibility, status of employment, years of experience, training/seminars attended and highest educational attainment while training/seminars attended and years of experience were found to have significant relationship with employment demand of the respondents in terms of managerial skills and environmental awareness.

As regards to the status of the civil engineering curriculum in the University of Eastern Philippines in terms of Curriculum and Instruction, graduation requirements got the highest mean of 3.30 interpreted as good while Administrative Support for Effective Instruction got the lowest mean of 2.80 interpreted as good. In summary, the area mean was 3.03 interpreted as good.

LIST OF TABLES

1 Profile of the Civil Engineer-Respondents

2 Employment Demand for Civil Engineers as perceived by themselves and by their Immediate Supervisors

3 Test of Difference between the Perceptions of the Civil Engineer-Respondents and their Immediate Supervisors on Employment Demand for Civil Engineers

4a Test of Relationship between the Civil Engineer­Respondents' Profile and Employment Demand for Civil Engineers in terms of Communication Skills

4b Test of Relationship between the Civil Engineer­Respondents' Profile and Employment Demand for Civil Engineers in terms of Computer Skills

4c Test of Relationship between the Civil Engineer­Respondents' Profile and Employment Demand for Civil Engineers in terms of Managerial Skills

4d Test of Relationship between the Civil Engineer­Respondents' Profile and Employment Demand for Civil Engineers in terms of Technical Expertise

4e Test of Relationship between the Civil Engineer­Respondents' Profile and Employment Demand for Civil Engineers in terms of Environmental Awareness

4f Test of Relationship between the Civil Engineer­Respondents' Profile and Employment Demand for Civil Engineers in terms of Linkages with other Agencies

4g Test of Relationship between the Civil Engineer­Respondents' Profile and Employment Demand for Civil Engineers in terms of Keeping Abreast with New Technologies

5 Status of Civil Engineering in terms of Curriculum and Instruction

LIST OF FIGURES

1 The schematic diagram on the relationship between the independent and dependent variables

2 A graph showing the employment demand for civil engineers as perceived by themselves and their immediate supervisors

Chapter 1 – INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

One of the most important development challenges that confronts the Philippines today is the need to provide jobs to the currently unemployed and underemployed members of the labor force as well as to the new graduates who join the labor force every year. Accordingly, employment promotion should remain a high priority in our country’s development efforts.

Employment in the case of the Philippines where there is a large supply of labor is basically determined by demand for labor. Employment has generally increased over the 1990 - 1996 period, growing at an annual rate of 3.7 percent or an average increment of 833 thousand a year. Driven by the strong growth in the economy, total employment in 1996 registered a respectable growth rate of 5.9 percent or an increment of 1.5 million employed persons over the level registered a year ago, the highest registered over the past nine (9) years. This translates to 27.186 million employed persons or employment rate of 91.4percent.While the increase in the level of employment indicates a positive development, this was not accompanied by a corresponding improvement in the average weekly hours of work. Data showed that the average weekly hours worked during the period under review declined slightly, from 42.0 hours in 1995 to 41.2hours in 1996¹.

Employment for civil engineers is always instrumental to modern civilization. They design and build roads, bridges, dams, buildings, and other things that make up modern civilization. Today, they are more important than ever because society depends on science and technology to keep it running and become more progressive.

In like manner, the employment for civil engineers is being enforced by the Republic Act No. 544, an act to regulate the practice of civil engineering in the Philippines which shall be known as “Civil Engineering Law”. The practice of civil engineering within the meaning and intent of this Act shall embrace services in the form of consultation, design, preparation of plans, specifications, estimates, erection, installation and supervision of the construction of streets, bridges, highways, railroads, airports and hangars, port works, canals, river and shore improvements, lighthouses, and dry docks; buildings, fixed structures for irrigation, flood protection, drainage, water supply and sewerage works; demolition of permanent structures; and tunnels.

In this connection, civil engineers can choose from a broad range of opportunities in industry and consulting practice as well as research and development in firms in which civil engineers often participate as owners or partners. Employment can be found among a wide variety of industrial, governmental, construction and private consulting organizations. Likewise, civil engineers may work in many different settings, ranging from quiet, modern offices to job sites in remote areas. They may work with other professional and technical personnel on temporary project teams. Many civil engineers work in city, province, and national government. Others work in engineering consulting firms or as independent consultants. Some engineers work for construction companies and few teach or as designers for school buildings in colleges or universities, either full or part time.

However, many challenges face the Filipino civil engineer. At the global level, he has to consider with rapid technological growth and the increasing interdependence among nations. At national level, he has to deal with public disappointment brought about, among other things, by the poor operating quality and even visual image of several major infrastructure projects, whose financial integrity has been trained by corruption. Likewise, the slow pace of public and private investment in infrastructure equates to untold lost opportunities and thousands ofjobs in the construction sector².

Civil Engineering graduates are evaluated through the licensure examination for civil engineers, which is administered by the Philippine Regulatory Commission. Upon passing the licensure examination, they become qualified for civil engineering professional practice. However, there are many factors which influence the well being of civil engineering profession which a new civil engineer may encounter problems on job market. These are: quality of CE students and graduates; availability of advancement in knowledge and skills, availability of standards of practice; professional concerns in fees and salaries; intrusion of foreign engineers and consulting firms and the lack of government will to provide sufficient opportunities for the local engineers to grow even as they are recognized in many countries and recruited to work therein; and the lack of public awareness of the vital role in nation building that the civil engineer brings through expertise in transportation systems, water supply and distribution systems and in private and public buildings³.

In this world that is fast changing because of the onset of modernization, the civil engineering profession should recognize that there should be shift in educational emphasis to meet the demand of time. Institutions must re-analyze their present curriculum about the kind of civil engineer that must be produced. Likewise, problems on the growing gap between the theory and practice, overlapping of courses, computer literacy, and language proficiency should be considered as push factors for revision of the current civil engineering education curriculum an urgent undertaking.

In line with this, excellent preparation for a career in civil engineering should come from a balance between classroom education and practical experience. Civil engineering curriculum should consider the demand of time which identifies the demand of employment. The rapid growth of technology affects the demand of employment for civil engineers. As the civil engineering profession is becoming dependent on the new innovation, modification and intrusion brought by the rapid change in technology, it has been observed that the new civil engineers are facing difficulties in coping up the new trends and practices in the actual civil engineering practices. Most construction firms, consulting firms, and management group engaged in construction business are dependent with the new trend of engineering practices with the aid of computer software such as Computer Aided Drafting, STAAD, MathCAD, SAP, MS Project, Micro Station, All Plan Engineering, Project Planner Primavera, etc., which is utilized in the skills of a civil engineer in estimating, designing, planning, and supervising of building construction projects. In this regard, growing gap between classroom and actual practices are becoming noticeable since the current curriculum could not supply the demand of time on employment, as the new civil engineers are facing employment dilemma brought by this innovations and rapid growth of technology.

Likewise, the researcher personally encountered such problems and had been employed in some places abroad have used various programs concerning with this new technologies being used in the current trends in the actual civil engineering practices. This prompted the researcher to determine the employment demand for civil engineers particularly in the local place to identify some factors which influenced the skills of a civil engineer. The researcher strongly believed that the findings of this study play a vital role in the updating and upgrading of the civil engineering curriculum to keep abreast with the fast changing civil engineering practice.

Statement of the Problem

This study determined the employment demand for civil engineers in the University of Eastern Philippines and its implications to curriculum improvement.

Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions:

1. What is the profile of the Civil Engineer-respondents in terms of:

a. sex
b. age
c. eligibility
d. status of employment
e. number of years of experience; and
f. trainings / seminars
g. highest educational attainment

2. What is the perception of the civil engineer-respondents and their Immediate Supervisors as to the employment demand of civil engineers, in terms of?

a. communication skills
b. computer skills
c. managerial skills
d. technical expertise
e. environmental awareness
f. linkaging with other agencies
g. keeping abreast with new technologies

3. Is there any significant relationship between the profile of the civil engineers and the perceived demands on their employment?
4. Is there any significant difference between the civil engineers and immediate supervisors on the perceived demands of employment on civil engineers?
5. What is the status of the present civil engineering curriculum of the University of Eastern Philippines in terms of curriculum and instruction?
6. What implications can be drawn for curriculum improvement?

Objectives of the Study

This study aimed to find out the employment demand for civil engineers and its implications to Curriculum Improvement.

Specifically, it tried:

1. To determine the profile of the civil engineer-respondents in terms of:

a. sex
b. age
c. eligibility
d. status of employment
e. number of years of experience; and
f. trainings / seminars
g. highest educational attainment

2. To know the perception of the civil engineer-respondents and their Immediate Supervisors as to the employment demand of civil engineers, in terms of:

a. communication skills
b. computer skills
c. managerial skills
d. technical expertise
e. environmental awareness
f. linkaging with other agencies
g. keeping abreast with new technologies

3. To know if there is significant relationship between the profile of the civil engineers and the perceived demands on their employment.
4. To know if there is significant difference between the civil engineers and immediate supervisors on the perceived demands of employment on civil engineers.
5. To know the status of the present civil engineering curriculum of the University of Eastern Philippines in terms of curriculum and instruction.
6. To know the implications that can be drawn for curriculum improvement.

Significance of the Study

Every research undertaking is anchored upon the goal of unveiling yet another relevant contribution to the body of knowledge.

The result of this study is helpful to policy-makers for this may serve as guide in policy formulation geared towards the enhancement and upliftment of engineering curriculum in their attempt to produce competent and quality graduates and global civil engineers as well.

Commission on Higher Education. This study will help them prepare the basic subjects needed for civil engineering curriculum based from the current demand for employment.

Professional Regulation Commission. This study will help them on the assessment of civil engineering graduates especially on the type of examination relevant to the current civil engineering practices.

Departement of Public Works and Highways. This study will give them awareness on the current engineering practices as to technological advancement needed by the civil engineers.

Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE). This study will help the institution in the preparation of activities that would supplement the need of the civil engineers to cope up with the advancement in technology.

Administrators. The findings of this study will serve as eye­openers to strengthen, update and revise the present engineering curriculum in order to meet and cope with the demands of employment.

Policy Makers. This will help them formulate policies for employment based from the current demand of the engineering practices.

Human Resource and Management Office. This study will give them awareness on the factors needed for employment based from current demand of the society.

Instructors/Professors. This study provides them insights and awareness on how to meet the demands of the industry by modifying their methods of teaching, and upgrading their instructional materials.

Researchers. Results of this study will provide them information and knowledge for the enhancement of their competencies to face the challenges in meeting the demands of employment in the field of civil engineering profession.

Local Government Unit. This will give them awareness on the basic factors needed for employment based from the current skills needed for the civil engineers.

Construction Firms. This study will give them awareness on the latest updates on employment based from the demand of the current trend for engineering practices.

Civil Engineers. This study will help them cope up with the needs of time specifically in meeting the demands for employment.

Engineering Students. This study will give them awareness on the needed skills to be competent.

Scope and Limitation

This study was focused on the employment demand for Civil Engineers and its implications to curriculum improvement.

The respondents were the registered civil engineers working in Catarman and second district of Northern Samar, who are graduates of the University of Eastern Philippines, and immediate supervisors of industries/companies hiring civil engineers. Catarman was included in this study in order to maximize the number of respondents since most of the companies and government agencies hiring civil engineers are located in this municipality which is the capital town ofNorthern Samar.

The study assessed the present civil engineering curriculum in terms of curriculum and instruction of the University of Eastern Philippines, being the sole state university in the province, based on the standards set by the Accrediting Agency for Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP). The assessment was for accredited level 1 status of accreditation with a grand mean not less than 3.0 and none among the areas is rated less than 2.5.

The researcher was and had not been trained for accreditation. This is one limitation of the study. However, he was guided by his adviser who is an accredited AACCUP accreditor. Another limitation of this study is the exclusion of University of Eastern Philippines Laoang campus, which also offers civil engineering program for the reason that their pioneering batch have just graduated since the program was only offered in SY 2003-2004. experience, and adjustment having as it aims at every stage and added capacity for growth.”⁴ Dewey’s theory is again quoted in the book of Brubacher stating that: The educational process has no end beyond itself; it is its own end.” To understand the line better, Dewey simplified the statement further through his famous syllogism, saying: “Education is all one with life, that life is growth, and therefore education is growth”⁵. This theory is utilized in the present study in finding various factors on employment as basis for the improvement of the civil engineering program in terms of curriculum and instruction believing that education for engineering is continuous especially in finding solutions and alternatives for the current problems encountered in the engineering industry.

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This study utilized also the theory of the Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget that intellectual ability is qualitatively different at different ages and that children need interaction with the environment to gain intellectual competency has influenced all of education and psychology. This new concept of intelligence affected the design of learning environments for young children and the development of mathematics and science programs⁶. The hierarchical theory developed by the American educator Robert Gagne could be used also in this study that some types of learning are prerequisites to other kinds of learning. His research has been fruitfully used in determining the sequence of instruction⁷. This theory finds significance in conducting this study on the improvement of civil engineering program for education is continuous process dependent on the different stages of learning based from the current trend in the civil engineering practices.

Conceptual Framework

This research is based on the idea that the ultimate measure of the effectiveness of an engineering course is felt when graduates after passing the board examination landed a job in line with his expertise. It is in this stage that we can measure the effectiveness of a certain curriculum that molds the student during his college years as to global standard.

The respondents of this study were the registered civil engineers who are UEP graduates and heads of companies/industries hiring civil engineers and they were asked on the perception as to the employment demands of the civil engineering profession. It further assumed that personal factors such as age, sex, eligibility, status of employment, number of years of experience, trainings/seminars attended and highest educational attainment affect the demands of employment for civil engineers in terms of communication skills, computer skills, managerial skills, technical expertise, environmental awareness, linkages with other agencies and keeping abreast with new technologies .

The status of the civil engineering program of the University of Eastern Philippines was evaluated using the AACCUP instrument and the findings form part of the study’s analysis.

To reinforce this concept, a paradigm is shown.

Paradigm

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

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Figure 1. The schematic diagram on the relationship between the independent and dependent variables.

Null Hypotheses

1. There is no significant difference between the civil engineer and the immediate supervisor on the perception of employment demands for civil engineers.
2. There is no significant relationship between the civil engineer profile and their perception on the employment demands of civil engineers.

Definition of Terms

For easy understanding of some terms used in this study, the following are defined conceptually and operationally.

AACUP (Accrediting Agency for Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines). Operationally it is an agency on accreditation to oversee an independent judgment of the curricular programs of SUC’s whether they substantially achieves their objectives and is generally equal in quality to comparable institutions.

Age. Conceptually it is defined as time of life (usually defined in years) at which some particular qualification or power arises⁸. Operationally it refers to the age or length of time of existence of the respondents.

Communication Skills. Conceptually it refers to the ability of conveying information⁹. Operationally refers to the ability of the respondents to communicate in oral, written and computer language.

Computer Skills. Conceptually the term is defined as the ability to use electronic device that accepts, processes, stores, and outputs data at high speeds according to programmed instructions¹⁰. Operationally it is the ability of the respondents to properly operate, manipulate and program computers.

Curriculum. Conceptually it is defined as the educational objectives that are applicable to a specific academic area or area of study¹¹. Operationally it refers to the civil engineering program to include the observance of the minimum requirements of the civil engineering program, consistency of the courses offered, participative efforts of all concerned in the evaluation, development and revisions of the curriculum.

Curriculum Improvement. Conceptually it is defined as the improvement of the integrated course of academic studies¹². Operationally it refers to the improvement of academic subjects for engineering course.

Eligibility. Conceptually it defined as the quality or state of being qualified to get something that matches up to a set of requirements¹³. Operationally it refers to the Civil Engineering Licensure Examination and other National Examination administered by the Philippine Regulation Commission and Civil Service Commission, which the respondents passed.

Employment. Conceptually it is defined as the state of being employed or having a job¹⁴. Operationally it refers to the position of the respondents as consultant, manager, project supervisor, estimator, designer, or other related jobs. It also refers to whether the respondents are employed in private or government¹⁵.

Employment Demand. Operationally it refers to the factors for the demand of employment in terms of communication skills, computer skills, managerial skills, technical expertise, environmental awareness, linkaging with other agencies and keeping abreast with new technologies

Environmental Awareness. Conceptually it refers to the knowledge and information that the respondents have regarding the impact generated by the projects on the environment¹⁶. Operationally it refers the ability of the respondents to conduct environmental impact assessment, conservation and economics on projects.

Experience. Conceptually it is defined as the accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from direct participation in events or activities¹⁷. Operationally it refers to the number of years the respondents have worked as engineers.

Immediate Supervisor. Conceptually it refers to the head of the civil engineer respondent.

Linkages with other agencies. Conceptually it refers to the networking done by the school with other industries to familiarize with the new trends along civil engineering practice¹⁸. Operationally it refers to the ability of the respondents to have connection with enterprises, agencies and private firms.

Managerial Skills. Conceptually and operationally it refers to the capacity of the respondents to lead and manage time utilizing financial and resources management¹⁹.

MathCAD. Operationally it is defined as computer software used as supplement for structural analysis.

MSPROJECT. Operationally it is defined as computer software used for the preparation of construction schedules.

Profile. Conceptually it is defined as an analysis (often in graphical form) representing the extent to which something exhibits various characteristics²⁰. Operationally it refers to the year graduated, eligibility, status of employment, number of years of experience and trainings/seminars of the respondents.

STAAD(Structural Analysis Aided Design). Conceptually and operationally it is defined as an analysis and design software package for structural engineering²¹.

SAPlStructura! Analysis Program). Conceptually and operationally it is defined as stand-alone finite-element-based structural program for the analysis and design of civil structures²².

Sex. Conceptually it is defined either of the two categories (male or female) into which most organisms are divided22²³. Operationally it refers to the gender of the respondents either male or female.

Technical Skills. Conceptually and operationally it refers to the capacity of the respondents to work along construction projects²⁴.

Training/seminar. Conceptually it is defined as any meeting for an exchange of ideas. Operationally it refers to the number of trainings/seminars the respondents attended whether local or foreign.

Variables. Conceptually it is defined as something that is likely to vary or something that is subject to variation²⁵. Operationally it refers to the personal profile of the respondents and their perception on employment demand.

CHAPTER II – REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES RELATED LITERATURE

Employment Demand

It is not the fiscal deficit that is our most urgent problem. With 10 million Filipinos looking for work, it’s the jobs deficit that should be worrying the government most. To say so is not to take anything away from the seriousness of the fiscal crisis. Make no mistakes the growing deficit is an imminent threat to the economy. It must be dealt with resolutely. But it is important to keep the right perspective, lest we repeat the mistakes—ours as well as other’s—of the recent past. Lest we win the battle, but lose the war. That we are facing high and rising unemployment has an important implication in searching for solutions to our fiscal woes, the employment goal must take primary consideration. The government’s top priority now is to protect jobs and livelihoods. It should avoid destroying them; it must continue creating them. From this perspective, government’s solution to the fiscal crisis is wanting. We argue that its tax-cum-spending-cut approach to the fiscal problem threatens jobs and livelihood. Moreover, the government adamantly refuses to see the key culprit, and ignores a solution that is staring it in the face, namely, higher import tariffs. To begin with, there is no getting around the fact that raising taxes and slashing government spending dampen aggregate demand and threaten employment. The most likely to pass of the proposed measures that can make a hollow on the deficit are also the most dangerous to growth and employment. However each measure may be individually justified, they have one thing in common: they all reduce total demand in the economy. It should be pointed out that raising taxes involves more than moving purchasing power from firms and households to the government sector. Given that interest payments constitute a growing share of government expenditures, higher taxes to pay for the debt represent a drain on aggregate demand²⁶.

Many challenges face the Filipino civil engineer. At the global level, he has to reckon with rapid technological growth and the increasing interdependence among nations. At national level, he has to deal with public disappointment brought about, among other things, by the poor operating quality and even visual image of several major infrastructure projects, whose financial integrity has been trained by corruption. Likewise, the slow pace of public and private investment in infrastructure equates to untold lost opportunities and thousands of jobs in the construction sector²⁷.

We brought down most barriers to free trade, and even the provision of services is now being liberalized under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). Hence, the stiffer competition in our home markets from foreign engineering firms is to be expected. Science and technological advances are the order of the day, and to remain relevant and competitive, our engineering profession must likewise move fast-forward. At home, our engineers are being criticized for fiascoes such as the collapse of buildings during calamities, and even billboard structures during typhoons. It is evident that each and every Filipino civil engineer must improve his competence and standards of practice to maintain public respect as well as to succeed in global competition²⁸.

Civil Engineering Education

At present, civil engineering education in the Philippines has faced insurmountable odds of vulnerability brought about by global competitiveness. With the strong commitment to the advancement of the civil engineering profession, the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) of the Philippines is incessantly perpetuating its noble objectives focusing on upgrading civil engineering education through the advocacy of establishing a forum of civil engineering educators. It advances and implements dynamic program that would ultimately be beneficial not only to its members but also to the upcoming civil engineers. This article outlines the strategic plans that PICE has evolved to nurture, hone and enhance civil engineering education. The assertive endeavor of the institute on the improvement of civil engineering profession has marked a distinctive approach to ensure better quality of civil engineering education. The institute with its overwhelming endeavor hopes to contribute academic significance to civil engineering profession in the Philippines²⁹.

The long-term upgrade desired starts with quality education for which the ultimate objective is to bring forth quality civil engineers. The process and environment within which the objective may be achieved is such that the desirable outcome will not materialize within five or ten years. Nevertheless, the work, even if a slow and arduous one, is a path needed to be taken. Some issues are worth expanding upon³⁰:

1. Curriculum. Probably this issue finds many current civil engineers easily identifying with, this being a major component of the basic civil education system. It may not be the only one but it deserves very serious thought and study and also the gathering of more empirical data. Fortunately, there is some work already done towards revising the curriculum. We are informed this is underway with the Commission of Higher Education (CHED)-sponsored revision of the CE curriculum, where the PICE is represented. On the other hand, the College of Fellows (COF) has identified certain subjects which have been neglected or lacking in emphasis. They are: (a) communication skills training including little more humanities; (b) non - technical skills or basic understanding of business and management; and (3) more depth in materials science knowledge in the light of technological advances rapidly occurring. Noting that the engineering curriculum was expanded to five years many years ago, there should be space for the knowledge and skills subjects just mentioned; perhaps certain specialty subjects can be somewhat reduced, or making them electives, or and making them available at the graduate level.
2. Parallel to concerns on the curriculum and its content is the lack, of quality teachers. The main reason has always been the economics and financial angles of this vocation. In the author’s days in college, most of his teachers were practitioners themselves, majority employed in government or large corporations; rarely then in consulting or private practice. This situations is probably only slightly different now, given that the financial returns for teaching is still comparatively less than employment or consulting practice. Thus we have the situation where the majority of our teachers are in it on a part time basis merely a way of supplementing their incomes from elsewhere employment.
3. But the most serious deficiency in the educational system, for the engineering professions, which, is not limited to our profession, is the lack of resources for full adequate education. Laboratories and libraries are two of the most important resources to an engineering education. And not many schools do have enough of them.
4. Concerns about the quality of entering students have also been raised. This is also within the backdrop of national concerns on quality education in the lower levels especially in science and math, and also English. Fortunately the national leaders both in government and the private sector have recognized this and there are action plans in place to address this particular problem.

Communication Skills

Communication skills are essential for an engineer who aspires to carry out his/her professional practice in the global arena. Engineering communication skills basically constitutes several core elements such as the fluency in the English language and the fundamentals of visual communication. English has become the ascendant language internationally, being the most widespread. This will influence the language of communication between professionals internationally. In this age of globalization, the number of international projects is increasing, and cross cultural communication and collaboration is on the rise; this is particularly so for the now international practice of engineering.³¹

Computer Skills

Technology is impacting on the skill requirements of other civil engineers. Computer-aided design (CAD) now allows them to effectively and efficiently produce and present three-dimensional designs. Turnover among civil engineers is low. Most are employed full-time as consultants and this is likely to continue over the next three to five years, although there may be more opportunities for part-time contract work. Civil engineering is a male-dominated industry, but this is likely to change as there has been an increase in the number of female graduates.³²

[...]

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¹ Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics, Department of Labor and Employment, http://www.manila-online.net/bles.

² Ramos, Fidel V.,” A Strategic Plan for the PICE: Helping to Build our Nation”, 32nd National Convention, Iloilo City. 2006, p. 6.

³ Abola, Antonio A., “Defining a Future for the Filipino Civil Engineer”, 32nd PICE National Convention, Iloilo City, 2006, p. 5.

⁴ Dewey, John, “Democracy and Education”, (New York: Macmillan Company, 1914),p. 61.

⁵ Brubacher, John S., “Modern Philosophies of Education”, 4th Edition, (New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1978), p. 47.

⁶ Gagne, Robert, “General Psychological and Sociological Foundation of Education”, (Prentice-Hall Inc., NewJersey, 1989), p. 71.

⁷ Ibid

⁸ Carter V. Good, Dictionary of Education (New York; Me Graw Hill Book Company, 1959)

⁹ Funk and Wagnails, Standard Disk Dictionary, Vol. 1, Harper and Row Publisher Inc.,1993 p. 55

¹⁰ Ibid

¹¹ The Cyclopedic Education Dictionary (New York: Macmillan Company, 1998),

¹² The Cyclopedic Education Dictionary (New York: Macmillan Company, 1998), p. 117.

¹³ Stephen P. Robbins, Organizational Behavior, 4th Edition (Prentice Hall, New Jersey, 1979) p.576

¹⁴ Ibid

¹⁵ PICE, Manual of Professional Practice for Civil Engineers, Third Edition, 2005.

¹⁶ Ibid.

¹⁷ Funk and Wagnails, Standard Disk Dictionary. Vol. 1, (Harper and Row Publisher Inc.,1993) p. 86

¹⁸ PICE, Manual of Professional Practice for Civil Engineers, Third Edition, 2005

¹⁹ Fajardo, Max B. Jr., Construction Management, Second Edition, ( Quezon City, 5138 Trading, 2000), p. 21.

²⁰ The Cyclopedic Education Dictionary (New York: Macmillan Company, 1998), p. 71.

²¹ Research Engineers, Interntional Division of Net Guru, Inc. Published July, 2005, p 5.

²² Computers and Structures, Inc. 1995 University Avenue Berkeley, California 94704 USA

²³ The Cyclopedic Education Dictionary (New York: Macmillan Company, 1998), p. 71.

²⁴ PICE, Manual of Professional Practice for Civil Engineers, Third Edition, 2005.

²⁵ Funk and Wagnails, Standard Disk Dictionary. Vol. 1, Harper and Row Publisher Inc.,1993) p. 211

²⁶ Pascual, Clarence, “Our Most Urgent Problem - The Jobs Deficit”, www.Google.com

²⁷ Ramos, Fidel V.,” A Strategic Plan for the PICE: Helping to Build our Nation”, 32nd National Convention, Iloilo City. 2006, p. 6.

²⁸ Ibid.

²⁹ Terante, Danilo C., “The Role of Civil Engineers Towards A Strong Republic”, 28th PICE National Convention, Manila, 2002, p. 35.

³⁰ Abola, Antonio A., Defining A Future For The Filipino Civil Engineer, 32nd PICE National Convention, Iloilo City, 2006. p. 11.

³¹ Riemer, Marc J., English and Communication Skills for the Global Engineer, Global Journal of Engineering, Vol. 6, No. 1, published in Australia, p. 37.

³² Kaihanga Metarahi, Civil Engineer. March 31,2002