Online education and ETEEAP empower OFWs to gain recognized degrees that match their professional experience, and unlock better global career opportunities and higher income.
Key Takeaways
- Online education helps OFWs upgrade qualifications without leaving their jobs abroad.
- Higher education leads to better pay, job security, and career advancement opportunities.
- Programs like ETEEAP allow experienced OFWs to convert work experience into a college degree.
Even for experienced professionals, education remains a powerful tool for career growth. Many Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) already have years of hands-on experience, but without formal credentials, opportunities can still be limited. Enrolling in an online school in the Philippines for OFWs allows them to gain recognized qualifications while continuing to work, helping them stay competitive in the global job market.
The Growing Number of Filipinos Working Abroad
Year after year, many Filipino workers head abroad in the search for greener pastures and in the hopes of providing their families back home with better futures. These modern-day heroes sacrifice so much – having to spend time away with their families, being in a foreign country all by themselves, and competing for jobs with a host of other nationalities.
In 2024, figures show that about 2.47 million Filipinos left the country to work abroad, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. This means that, on average, nearly 6,800 Filipinos leave the country each day to take up contract jobs. Many of the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are college undergraduates, holders of certificate courses, and high school graduates.
Common Jobs and Challenges Faced by OFWs
Most Overseas Filipino Workers, especially the ones who choose to work in Asia, specifically the Middle East, are associate professionals, trades and craft workers, sales and service workers, technicians, service and sales workers, and those in elementary occupations.
While Filipinos are known for our diligence and work ethics, this is often not enough to be hired by many companies. OFWs often lose out jobs to their foreign competitors because we aren’t as educated as them. Sad as it is, it is industry knowledge that Filipino professionals and tradespeople are not considered at par with our foreign counterparts, and if ever OFWs do manage to secure the job, they are underemployed or underpaid.
The main reason for OFWs’ non-competitiveness? Lack of education and experience.
It was only in 2015 that our educational system was reformed to address this concern, adding two more years to our previous 10-year education system. The Philippines was the last country in the ASEAN, and one of only three countries in the world, to still keep the 10-year system. This late reform means that our OFWs only have 10 years of primary and secondary education. Those who opted to continue on to college to obtain their bachelor’s degrees have an additional four more years but are still two years short as compared to the current global standard.
The Benefits of Online Schools for OFWs
The good news is that there are many courses available these days to help them earn the units and education they need to compete with their foreign counterparts. While they are doing their best to earn money to feed their families, hard work is not enough. If they want to level up their career and increase their market value, they need to make themselves more competitive. The best way to do this is by investing in higher education, such as earning a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, or even higher.
Enrolling in an online school in the Philippines for OFWs is an excellent idea because of:
More (and Better) Opportunities
Some overseas jobs require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree. Other companies want to bring onboard people who have a master’s degree or Ph.D. By continuing your education, you can open doors that lead to new and better opportunities for your career. You’ll have better chances of landing a top-level position when you’re a degree holder.
Higher Earning Potential
Postsecondary degrees, including bachelor’s and master’s, can boost your chances of getting higher pay. According to a Pew Research study, the pay gap between high school and college graduates is widening. This is true both here and abroad. Filipinos with higher education degrees typically earn significantly more than those with only a high school diploma. The median salary for high school graduates is roughly 50–60% of what college-educated workers make domestically, reflecting a similar pattern to global trends but within the local wage context.
Better Job Security
Obtaining a college or master’s degree can make you look more valuable to your employer. When the going gets tough for your company, you’re less likely to suffer from job cuts if you have a postsecondary degree. For instance, during economic downturns, college-educated workers tend to experience less job loss than those with less education. The unemployment rate among people who have a doctoral degree was 1.5% compared to 6.5% for people who have less than a high school diploma.
Better Employment Benefits
Many jobs that require individuals to earn postsecondary education have more or better perks. Benefits, such as travel incentives and premium health care plans, are not typically available for high school level jobs. For example, the growing demand for Filipino healthcare workers abroad, especially nurses, has led to better wages and benefits in countries like Saudi Arabia, the UK, and Germany.
Getting an Online Degree Abroad is Possible with OEd
Given those benefits, you might be wondering: is there an online school for OFWs in the Philippines?
If you’re an OFW who is interested in enriching your education, you’ll be glad to know that you don’t need to leave your overseas job and attend classes in a traditional university to earn a degree. AMA University Online Education (AMAOEd) is an online university in the Philippines that offers OFWs with a wide range of Bachelor’s Degrees, Continuous Learning, and Short Online Course to make them more globally competitive. You may enroll at AMA University Online Education (AMA OEd) to further your education. As the first full-service online school in the Philippines, we take pride in providing high-quality and affordable online college.
We have a complete online learning platform that allows Filipino workers overseas to get bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees anytime, anywhere. We developed this platform to provide OFWs with alternative learning options.
We have several Bachelor’s Degrees available including Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, and Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in English.
We also have Master’s and Doctorate Degrees available for those looking to continue their education even further. Some of the courses we offer include Master in Business Administration, Master of Arts in Computer Education, and Doctor in Information Technology.
Best of all, online schools allow OFWs to partake in any of these classes at anytime, anywhere. Because they are conducted online, they can start whenever it is most convenient for them and can take classes and exams whenever their schedule permits it. This means that they don’t have to let go of their current job just to enroll in classes!
We believe that education is a right. Factors, such as time, financial capacity, and location, should not limit or prevent an individual from getting a degree. Our aim as an online school is to make learning opportunities available to everyone. It includes providing online learning for OFWs to help them achieve their higher education (and career) goals.
ETEEAP: A Faster Way for OFWs to Earn a Degree
For OFWs with years of work experience, the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program or ETEEAP Program offers a practical pathway to earning a college degree.
ETEEAP allows qualified individuals to convert their professional experience into academic credits. Instead of starting from scratch, OFWs can complete their degree faster by demonstrating competencies gained from real-world work.
This program is especially beneficial for:
- Long-time workers without a college diploma
- Skilled professionals seeking career advancement
- OFWs aiming to meet international qualification standards
By combining experience with formal education, especially at an online school for OFWs, ETEEAP helps Filipinos become more competitive globally—without sacrificing their current employment.
Offering a Range of Online Bachelor Degree Programs
We provide a roster of online college degree programs for OFWs. These are a few:
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – This degree provides you with a deep understanding and knowledge of computer science and information and communications technology (ICT).
Bachelor of Science in Accountancy – You’ll acquire the practical and theoretical skills necessary to become a globally competitive accountant, bookkeeper, or auditor with this degree.
Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in English – If you have a passion for teaching English to foreigners, you may choose this degree. You’ll get the skills you need to teach this language effectively in high school.
Providing Various Continuing Learning Courses
Our online school for Filipinos working abroad also offers online masters and doctorate programs. A few of them are:
Master in Business Administration – We designed our MBA program to educate young professionals who have minimal work experience for managerial leadership.
Master of Arts in Computer Education – With this advanced degree, you can teach aspiring educators on how to integrate software and other technologies into their learning activity.
Doctorate in Information Technology – Taking this Ph.D. degree can help you advance your career as a top-level executive or manager in the IT sector.
Why Choose Us Over Other Online Schools
Here are good reasons to pick our online school over other similar educational institutions in the country:
Our tuition rates are reasonable. You don’t have to spend a lot of your hard-earned money to earn an online degree.
You will learn from the highly respected professors of OEd.
Once you’re enrolled, you don’t have to pay a single centavo to access and download our learning materials.
If you have any inquiries about our online school in the Philippines for OFWs, check out our FAQ page or fill out our contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can OFWs study online even with shifting work schedules?
Yes. Online programs are designed to be flexible, allowing OFWs to study anytime based on their availability.
2. Is an online degree recognized internationally?
Yes. Online degrees are generally recognized by employers around the world.
3. How long does it take to complete a degree through ETEEAP?
It depends on your experience, but many complete their degree within 1 to 2 years.
4. What courses are most in-demand for OFWs?
IT, healthcare, business management, and education-related programs are among the most in-demand globally.
5. Do OFWs need to return to the Philippines to enroll?
No. Enrollment and classes can typically be completed fully online.