Competency Model for Programming Courses in Information Technology Education (ITE) Programs from Industry Perspective: A Delphi Method

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a competency model for software development courses in ITE programs as perceived by the IT industry in the Philippines in the new normal. A review of previous studies revealed existing software engineering competency models being referenced by the IT industry along with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) General Education Curriculum (GEC) being referenced by the academe. However, things drastically changed during this global pandemic which may have affected these current standards. Thus, this study aimed to determine the current competency needs in the IT industry in the new normal in relation to the programming courses being offered by the ITE programs in the Philippines; A mixed method three-round Delphi technique was used to solicit a unified expert opinion from the point of view of nine (9) IT industry experts in the Philippines. Twenty-three (23) technical skills and eleven (11) soft skills were extracted from online interviews using thematic analysis. Out of 23 technical skills, nineteen (19) have consensus. The findings produced a competency model for software development courses in the new normal consisting of must-have technical skills, game-changer technical skills, and must-have soft skills. The must-have technical skills include Web Development, Cyber Security, Cloud Computing, Agile Project Management, Mobile Development, and DevOps. The game changer technical skills include Data Science and Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, the Internet of Things, and Research and Development. And the must-have soft skills include Communication skills, Results-Oriented, and Collaboration skills.