As the sages say, “the most appropriate time for you to consider pursuing a new job or career advancement is when you feel that your present position does not have much to offer and is not all that challenging.”
Interestingly, the UAE has a wealth of career opportunities where certifications,
obtained through institutes offering out-of- school skills training and higher
education courses, are honored in the employment scene.
Currently there are hundreds of such companies, not to mention a program that
the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi has just recently started getting off the
ground.
Bright days ahead
Indeed! Bright days ahead for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) planning on a
career growth.
Now, OFWs don’t have to go back home for their competency certification
from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to
get a promotion at work and climb up the employment ladder.
The Philippine Embassy, through the Philippine Overseas Labor Office
(POLO), has linked up with a private company for the first-ever, TESDA-
accredited competency assessment center in Abu Dhabi.
Credentials of OFWs who made it are expected to be recognized by the UAE
National Qualification Authority (NQA) by way of a memorandum of
understanding (MOU) with the embassy.
The embassy is also working to have a TESDA training center opened this year,
enabling OFWs to level up with new skill certifications and obtain their NQA-
honored certification as well.
‘Di na uuwi’
“Sa skills upgrading, hindi na sila uuwi sa Pilipinas para ma-assess,” Labor
Attaché Ophelia Almenario told The Filipino Times in a phone interview from
Abu Dhabi. A TESDA assessment entitles OFWs who passed it to what is
called a National Certification 2 (NC 2), which puts them in the category of
skilled worker, Almenario explained.
Covered by the competency assessment are OFWs employed in certain skills
specified by TESDA or have acquired any of those skills. (Please see box 2)
The UAE government, by virtue of the MOU which is seen to be signed soon,
will be duty-bound to recognize the OFW’s NC 2 through the NQA, meaning
the OFWs will as well be acknowledged as skilled workers in the country,
according to Almenario.
“In effect, by increasing OFWs’ credibility and employability, upgrading skills
competence and boosting their credentials…, the TESDA certificates will soon
be honored by the UAE’s National Qualification Authority,” Almenario said in
a signed official letter to The Filipino Times.
The TESDA certification qualifies the OFW to undergo training and also
become trainors and/or assessors in their respective skills for other OFWs
looking to be certified through the same review process.
Meantime, opening a TESDA training center for OFWs looking to obtain new
skills “is our aim within the year,” Almenario said. “Sayang naman kasi, in-
assess mo, tapos gustong mag-upgrade sa ibang skills (pero walang venue),” she
said.
Hidden value
Asst. Labor Attaché Jay Jasper Javines said there are “added values” to having a
TESDA certification recognized by NQA.
Among them is that the TESDA-certified OFW becomes listed with the UAE
Ministries of Foreign Affairs, (MOFA) and Labor (MOL), which, among others,
spares them from a “ministerial ban” should they opt out of an employment
contract.
The TESDA certification, Javines added, corresponds with the red ribbon
required from skilled OFWs.
“Skilled na sila. Majority or almost 50 percent ng OFWs natin ay di dumadaan
sa MOFA. Ang skilled worker, may red ribbon, dadaan sa MOFA,” Javines
said.
“At dahil skilled sila,” he added, “di sila basta-basta maba-ban.”
Javines explained that MOL can impose a “ministerial ban” on a low- or non-
skilled OFW who decides not to finish the employment contract and has given
the required 30-day notice even if the employer signs a “No Objection
Certification” or NOC.
Processing fee
The POLO-OWWA is working on having the TESDA certification free of
charge, at least for the first batch, which, as of press time, was numbering 30.
Ron Bartolome, POLO-OWWA welfare officer, said a proposal to have the
agency shoulder the TESDA fee has been forwarded to OWWA Administrator
Hans Leo J. Cacdac for review.
He explained that with only one company tapped to do the skills assessment
prior to TESDA certification, questions about proper bidding processes could be
raised.
“Baka sagutin ng POLO-OWWA yung fee,” said Bartolome. “Kaso,” he added,
“solo palang yung kumpanya.”
The link up with the TESDA-accredited assessment center, Orient Management
Consulting and Training, was consummated on Jan. 12, 2017. (By Jojo Dass)
In this case, what you could do is keep your eyes open for higher level
positions with your current employer.
Keep reading the classifieds for jobs listings. Keep polishing your CV. Keep an
eye on training opportunities for a shift in your profession or a promotion at
your current work.
This, Human Resource specialists say, is how one grows professionally
___ quote ni Vagelyn
https://www.thebalance.com/improving-career- development-4058289
http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/189022/careers_and_job_hunting/t
ips_to_improve_your_career_advancement_opportunities.html
You may have noticed that a majority of the people switch careers make
somewhere around six to ten career adjustments. This is the main reason
that you need to identify career advancement opportunities. You should
make it a point to be certain that your employer is conscious of the fact that
you are looking for career advancement.
The most appropriate time for you to consider pursuing a new job is when
you feel that your present position does not have much to offer and is not
all that challenging. In this case, what you could do is keep your eyes open
for higher level positions with your current employer.
Unfortunately, if there are no career advancement opportunities in your
current place of work, you could start by trying to find a new job
somewhere else.
Here are a few ways to search out new career opportunities:
Take On More Tasks or Extra Work
One of the best ways to make it clear that you're looking for more
responsibilities is by taking on more tasks or extra work and lending your
hand to other groups, or departments. This is a good way to show how
committed you are to achieving the goals of the company. When it's time to
dole out the promotions, your name will be among the first mentioned.
Sit Down and Have a Talk with Your Boss
You must take the initiative to have an important, straightforward
discussion regarding your career advancement with your boss. You have to
be your own best advocate. You should emphasize your desire to meet the
firm's objectives as well as your own individual ones.
Look for a trusted mentor and counselor for career guidance, either inside
or outside the company; research confirms that they have an impact on a
lot of promotions.
Build On Your Social Skills
You must make an effort to build up your social skills like being outgoing
and forthcoming. Additionally, being a powerful and clear communicator
with exceptional listening skills plays an important part in gaining the
respect of your colleagues and boss as well. Having these skills help you in
promoting yourself and advertising your abilities by making people aware
of your skills on the job and your achievements.
When it comes to career opportunities, only one person can create them –
you.
Well when it comes to career advancement, in my own opinion, everything must come first from within you. Your
personality needs to be sharpened first adn you should be able to sell yourself. Be innovative ,expand your
network and start building your reputation. When you do all these things which are within your control you will
surely be noticed and get that career advancement. I don't personally believe in certifications or education, I don't
have those in my profession, I never had those HR Certfications but I have all the passion at work which made
me to where I am right now.
