OFW Opportunities: 7 Most In-Demand Jobs Abroad Today
Working overseas or seeking employment abroad has become a significant part of the Filipino experience.
Countless Filipinos leave their home country and ventured beyond their homeland to find work opportunities in various countries worldwide for decades to give their families back home better opportunities and better life.
This phenomenon, often called overseas employment or being an overseas Filipino worker (OFW), is driven by multiple factors and motivations.
Getting a higher income for one’s family and career advancements are the most common reasons why Filipinos want to work abroad. Our workers are offered lower compensation for the same job and services in another country.
Many countries open their doors to Filipinos as they are known for their hard work. Filipino workers are also dedicated and adaptable nature.
Earning a higher salary, developing professional skills, gaining personal and career growth, and enjoying travel opportunities are some of the benefits of working overseas.
One question remains: What kinds of jobs can one go for and ensure that goals can be achieved outside their homeland? Here are seven in-demand jobs abroad for Filipinos today.
Engineering Fields
Civil, electrical, and mechanical engineers are top tier skills that are highly in demand. Infrastructurally sound countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Canada have stable economies and are at the forefront of groundbreaking architecture.
That makes these best countries as choices for engineers looking for work abroad.
Filipino engineers are known for their strong technical skills and flexibility. Working as an overseas engineer propels an individual forward with higher salaries, exposure to various cultures, personal and career growth, and travel opportunities.
Qualifications include a bachelor’s degree and professional license or certification in engineering, relevant experience in engineering projects, familiarity with industry-specific software, and English proficiency.
Information Technology (IT)
The Philippines is a hub for IT talents, producing a steady stream of skilled programmers, software developers, and specialists.
With the increasing importance of data and technology in various industries, Filipino information technology professionals are sought after worldwide, especially in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.
Those interested in pursuing an overseas career in IT need a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related fields, relevant certifications in programs such as Cisco, CompTIA, or Microsoft, proficiency in programming languages, strong problem-solving skills, and English proficiency.
Food and Hospitality
Bartending, being a host, concierge staff, and wait staff, restaurant management, and culinary and baking work offer great job opportunities overseas.
Countries like the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and the United Kingdom are looking for staff and employees in food and hospitality to accommodate their local patrons and tourism demand.
Skills in food and hospitality not only increase chances of working abroad but also provide lifelong skills that may be beneficial in future pursuits.
Interested individuals may train at schools and vocational centers or attain hands-on experience through internships.
Overseas employment in food and hospitality comprises English proficiency, a bachelor’s degree in culinary, hospitality management, or any related field, and relevant work experience and certification in food handling and safety.
Healthcare
Many overseas healthcare institutions and providers still need to fill positions, especially as they are still reeling from the lingering impact of the worldwide pandemic.
Nurses, doctors, physical therapists, pharmacists, and other professionals are highly needed abroad, especially in countries currently dealing with staff shortages.
The chances of getting a significantly paying overseas healthcare job are higher if the persons applying have a specialization and extensive work experience.
They must also be proficient in English, have a medical-related bachelor’s degree, professional license, and certifications in basic life support and advanced cardiac life support.
Countries with increased demand for professionals include the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East.
General Work and Manufacturing
Overseas employment in housekeeping, domestic helper, driving, and general work are also sought after. Many manufacturing companies, especially electronics, automotive, and clothing, need a larger workforce and factory workers to complement demand.
Caregiving and domestic help positions are also increasing in many developed countries as support the well being of older and disabled people becomes much more needed.
Canada, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore seek Filipinos with high physical resilience for extended work hours, a minimum of vocational training or certification, and English proficiency.
Teaching
Filipinos are renowned excellent English speakers and are highly competent, making their skills and work ethic desirable for teaching positions overseas.
Most of those in the academic field in the country have manage to pass the LET and LPT Licensure Exam, making them all the more highly qualified teaching personnel. or One can gain employment teaching English in at least 80 countries with accredited certifications.
Teachers are highly in demand in Japan, South Korea, China, and Indonesia, which identify English as their second language.
A job abroad may be secured through a bachelor’s degree in education, a professional teaching license, and development certifications such as Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
Labor and Construction
Labor and construction work can generate high income in certain countries. New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, and the Middle East are actively looking for welders, plumbers, machine operators, riggers, pipe fitters, electricians, and related workers.
Filipino labor workers and skilled tradespeople gain overseas employment in countries with robust construction and infrastructure development projects.
Their expertise, work ethic, and adaptability make them valuable assets in these industries, harnessed from vocational training or certifications in welding, plumbing, or carpentry and knowledge and experience of safety regulations and practices.
Those aspiring to work abroad may find a job ideal for their goals. The demand for Filipino workers abroad remains substantial across diverse industries, thanks to their exceptional skills, adaptability, and English proficiency.
Skills development, gaining the necessary experience, or even enrolling in schools and training centers could help get the desired job. To know more about countries with high demand for Filipino workers, click here.
Besides career fulfillment and providing for one’s family, buying a house is also one of the dreams for many Filipinos, especially OFWs. Camella offers expertly crafted homes catering to every Filipino family’s lifestyle and needs.
Whether a young professional or a parent dreaming of buying a home, Camella has a home that is just right for them and their families.
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