Filipinos have long been recognized globally for our world-class talents and skills, as well as our exceptional qualities of resilience, adaptability, and strong work ethic. Despite the opportunities available in the Philippines, Filipinos remain attracted by the chance to earn more money and enjoy better living conditions overseas especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of the most resilient and in-demand industries worldwide is engineering. With the pandemic acting as a driving force for faster engineering research and development, numerous work opportunities continue to open for Filipino engineers who want to pursue engineering jobs abroad. This comes with promising advantages, including migration prospects for engineering professionals in Canada and Australia.
When applying for a work visa abroad, you'll often be required to take the IELTS test. The IELTS can be intimidating for Filipinos, but IDP is here to help by providing you with __IELTS tips and review materials__.
Here are 6 popular countries to apply for Filipino engineers:
1. Canada
Canada has a strong demand for skilled professionals and offers promising opportunities for Filipino engineers looking to work abroad. Filipino engineers can easily feel at home because of Canada’s welcoming environment, makes it possible for them to showcase their expertise and help contribute to the country's thriving engineering sector. In addition to civil engineering jobs in Canada, other in-demand career opportunities include those working in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, software engineering and others.
Salaries in the engineering industry usually ranges between $60,000 to $147,000 or more annually, and usually varies depending on qualifications, skills, and work experience. Moreover, Canada promotes inclusive immigration policies and programs. One of which is the Express Entry system which makes obtaining work permits and permanent residency more accessible for Filipino engineers. Read through the immigration requirements, specifically if your visa stream requires minimum IELTS test to work in Canada.
2. Australia
Australia a culturally diverse nation that is home to over 25 million people. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, migrant arrivals increased to around 395,000 in the years 2021-2022. Because of Australia's various opportunities, strong economy, and growing demand for engineering skills, the country became a leading study, work, and migration destination for Filipino engineers, as well as those in other professions.
Australia offers many options and great compensation for those who are in civil, electrical, mechanical, software, chemical engineering and other engineering industries including construction, mining, manufacturing, and energy. The average salary of civil engineers in Australia, for example, ranges from $90,000 to $110,000 per year. Filipinos who would like to migrate and pursue engineering work in Australia must have your skills formally assessed by applying for your migration skills assessment and taking the Competency Demonstration Report Pathway at Engineers Australia. You should also meet certain qualifications and requirements, including the minimum IELTS score to pass the assessment and work in Australia as an Engineer.
3. New Zealand
New Zealand is famous for its picturesque scenery, world-class education standards, and vibrant multicultural society. But apart from being a great place to live in, it's also a great place to work. New Zealand has opened its doors to Filipinos and other skilled migrant workers offering plenty of job opportunities in various industries such as engineering, information and communication technology and medicine.
To work as an engineer in New Zealand either permanently or temporarily, you will need to apply for a work visa where you'll be asked to meet certain qualifications and submit your skilled employment work experience, qualify with IELTS, and other requirements. You must also be registered as a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) and have your competencies assessed against an internationally recognized standard.
4. United Arab Emirates (UAE)
UAE has been regarded globally because of its revolutionary modern infrastructures, highly acclaimed events, and tourist attractions. After pioneering some of the world's significant projects such as the world's tallest building Burj Khalifa, the Burj Al Arab, and the Palm Islands. With the overwhelming growth of construction and infrastructure industries, careers in engineering are definitely among the best paying and in-demand jobs in UAE.
For Filipino engineers who want to know how to apply for engineering jobs in UAE, you can start by looking for job openings through government and private job portals, check jobs posted on professional networking websites such as LinkedIn, or you can send your CV to licensed recruitment agencies in the UAE. After your successful application, remember that you are still required to get a work permit and get an engineering license from the Society of Engineers.
5. Singapore
Singapore is a popular destination for Filipinos due to it close proximity from the Philippines. Aside from attracting tourists with its historical landmarks, wide variety of cuisines, and well-developed infrastructures, Singapore also offers numerous job opportunities for Filipinos who are looking into working abroad.
Engineering jobs in Singapore for Filipinos are plenty, and you can proceed to apply directly through the company’s website, through a job-seeking platform, or through an agency. Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower requires a valid pass or work visa depending on the position you are applying for.
6. United Kingdom (UK)
The United Kingdom is one of the leading study destinations for Filipino international students who want to study engineering abroad. With the country being home to world-class engineering companies such as Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems, it is no surprise that the United Kingdom is also a popular destination for Filipino engineers looking to boost their career overseas.
If you are looking for engineering jobs in the UK, there are a lot of options available with the engineering sector accounting for 25% of the total working economy and employing around 8 million individuals in engineering-related roles. It is also important to note that an IELTS test is required for UK Visa and Immigration if you want to work in the United Kingdom. The IELTS score you need will vary depending on your occupation, so check the UK Government visa checklist to see which visa and IELTS for UKVI test apply to you.
Be an engineer abroad, take IELTS with IDP
Regardless of which country you apply to as an engineer, IDP is here to provide support through our IELTS preparation materials and webinars featuring IELTS experts.
You can also download the IELTS by IDP app on your devices and get free preparation materials and exclusive IELTS preparation tips for Filipinos.
Take the IELTS test for your visa application with IDP IELTS, book your test now!