Enrollment Trends and Influencing Factors in the Maritime Program at CELTECH College: Basis for Enhancing Student Recruitment and Retention Strategies
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21683542Keywords:
maritime education, enrollment trends, student recruitment, student retention, institutional reputation, CELTECH CollegeAbstract
This study examined enrollment trends and factors influencing student recruitment and retention in the Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation and Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering programs at CELTECH College in Olongapo City. A quantitative descriptive-correlational design was used with 276 first- to third-year maritime students selected through stratified random sampling from a population of 888. Data were gathered through a content-validated survey questionnaire with excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = .90) and analyzed using frequency, percentage, weighted mean, analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation. Most respondents were 18 years old or younger (30.07%), male (85.15%), first-year students (43.12%), enrolled in Marine Transportation (61.96%), and financially supported by their families (98.19%). Enrollment trends were rated Strongly Agree for course popularity (M = 3.34), guaranteed career pathway (M = 3.40), and maritime industry growth (M = 3.44). Institutional reputation (M = 3.37), promotional activities (M = 3.38), and student satisfaction (M = 3.39) exerted strong influence. The source ANOVA table reported differences in enrollment trends by age, year level, and program, while other profile variables were not significant. Enrollment trends and influencing factors had a strong positive relationship (r = .719, p < .001). The source contains inconsistent statistical reporting regarding gender differences in perceptions of influencing factors; this result requires verification. The CELTECH Student Engagement, Partnership, and Outreach Intervention Plan was developed to strengthen guidance counseling, school partnerships, work immersion, digital promotion, inclusion, recruitment, and retention.
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