Abstract: This study explored the impact of the Special Training for Employment Program (STEP) implemented by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on the graduates of Dumalag Vocational Technical School (DVTS) from 2021 to 2023. Employing the explanatory sequential design, this study provided a comprehensive understanding of the program’s impact. The descriptive method was used for the quantitative aspect, while a phenomenological approach was applied to gather and analyze qualitative data through in-depth interview. The participants included 75 STEP graduates selected using total population sampling, all of whom met the criteria of having completed the program within the specified timeframe. The frequency, percentage, and the mean were the statistical tools used to analyze and interpret the gathered data. Findings revealed that the majority of respondents were female, aged between 26 to 35 years old, with most belonging to low-income households earning between ₱5,001 to ₱10,000 monthly. A significant number were college graduates, primarily employed in the private sector, and many came from farming or fishing backgrounds. The quantitative data indicated that the overall impact of STEP was rated “High,” with productivity scoring the highest among measured variables. Qualitative analysis identified six key themes reflecting the skills developed through the program: knowledge generation, skill development, business startup, honing skills, income generation, and emotional growth. Benefits highlighted by the graduates included hands-on experience, emotional empowerment, financial independence, and enhanced job security. Despite these positive outcomes, the study also uncovered several challenges, including the lack of tools and materials during training, high startup costs, inadequate publicity of the program, and difficulties in learning technical skills. The study concludes that STEP plays a crucial role in empowering individuals through technical and vocational education, especially those from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. It recommends enhanced resource allocation, expanded support services, and strengthened partnerships to further improve the program’s reach, effectiveness, and long-term impact on graduates’ lives.

Keywords: STEP Program, Technical-Vocational Education, Graduate Outcomes

| DOI: 10.17148/IARJSET.2025.12618