Hands-on training practices and their contribution to crop production skills of learners in Alicia Vocational School

This study determined the contribution of hands-on training practices to the crop production skills of learners in Alicia Vocational School. Specifically, it examined the learners’ profile, the level of hands-on training practices in terms of practical demonstration, supervised practice, learning by doing, and availability of training resources, the level of crop production skills in land preparation, planting and crop care, harvesting and post-harvest handling, the significant relationship between hands-on training practices and crop production skills, and the instructional enhancement inputs that may be proposed based on the findings. The study employed a descriptive-correlational research design involving Grade 11 and Grade 12 learners enrolled in Agricultural Crop Production NC II. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire that underwent expert validation and reliability testing. Frequency, percentage, weighted mean, Pearson Product-Moment Correlation, and Multiple Regression Analysis were utilized to analyze the data at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that the respondents perceived the implementation of hands-on training practices to be at a high level and likewise demonstrated a high level of crop production skills. The results further indicated a significant positive relationship between hands-on training practices and learners’ crop production skills. Practical demonstration, supervised practice, learning by doing, and the availability of training resources were identified as significant contributors to learners’ competency development. Based on these findings, instructional enhancement inputs were proposed to strengthen the implementation of Agricultural Crop Production NC II. The study concluded that effective hands-on training significantly enhances learners’ technical competencies, work readiness, and preparedness for agricultural employment and national certification.