Effectiveness of industry-based internships on the technical competency of electronics technology students

This study evaluated the effectiveness of industry-based internships in enhancing the technical competency of Electronics Technology Senior High School students. It specifically examined students’ levels of competency before and after immersion in terms of knowledge, skills, and work attitude, as well as their perceptions of internship effectiveness and the challenges they encountered. The study employed a descriptive-evaluative design involving 36 Electronics Technology students enrolled in a public Senior High School under the Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) track in Ligao City during School Year 2025–2026. Data were gathered through competency assessments and survey instruments focusing on pre- and post-internship performance, perceived effectiveness, and encountered challenges.
Results showed that students had a moderate level of technical competency before internship and demonstrated improvement after immersion in knowledge, skills, and work attitude. The internship program was perceived as highly effective in preparing students for workplace demands, although challenges such as limited hands-on experience, difficulty adapting to industry standards, and gaps between school-based training and actual workplace practices were identified. Based on these findings, a Competency-Based Industry Internship Enhancement Program (CBIIEP) was developed to address competency gaps and enhance industry readiness through structured immersion activities. 
It was concluded that industry-based internships significantly improve student technical competency and work readiness. However, targeted enhancement strategies are necessary to maximize learning outcomes. The study recommends strengthening pre-immersion training, improving school-industry partnerships, enhancing monitoring systems, and institutionalizing the CBIIEP to ensure continuous improvement of Electronics Technology education and better preparation of learners for employment.