MANILA: Fifty eight overseas Filipino workers have completed the pilot KAALAMAN Scholarship Program, a joint effort of the Department of Migrant Workers and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to help returning OFWs rebuild their careers in the Philippines. The graduation was held at the TESDA Auditorium in Taguig City on May 12, 2026.
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Training That Goes Beyond a Certificate
The program is not only about finishing a course. For many OFWs, returning home means facing a hard question: “What work can I do next?”
DMW Undersecretary Felicitas Bay said the KAALAMAN Program gives OFWs “real pathways” toward quality employment opportunities. This means the training is meant to help workers move into jobs or livelihood options that can support their families after years of working overseas.
What Courses Did the OFWs Complete?
The OFW scholars trained in specialized fields that match real workplace needs. These included Paramedics, Emergency Medical Service, Emergency Vehicle Operator Course, and Caregiving.
These skills may help graduates apply for local jobs in health care, emergency response, caregiving, and related services. They may also support OFWs who still plan to work abroad again, but with stronger qualifications and better job options.
Most Scholars Came From the Middle East
According to DMW, 165 OFWs enrolled in the scholarship program, while 146 successfully completed it. The 58 graduates were part of the first batch.
Many of the scholars came from the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia. Others came from Hong Kong and other areas in Asia and the Pacific. This shows the program is reaching workers from common OFW destinations where many Filipinos spend years away from home.
A Safer Landing After Working Abroad
The KAALAMAN Scholarship Program is the main training part of DMW’s wider KAALAMAN Program. This larger effort also covers financial literacy, entrepreneurship support, skills enhancement, and preparation for other income sources.
For returning OFWs, this matters because reintegration is not always easy. Savings can run out. Job options may feel limited. Some workers may also need to shift careers after years in one type of overseas work.
Through DMW and TESDA, the government is trying to give returning OFWs a more practical path forward: learn a marketable skill, prepare for work or business, and build a stable life back home.
Why OFW Families Should Watch This Program
For OFWs planning to come home soon, KAALAMAN is worth monitoring. Skills training can help turn overseas experience into a new career path in the Philippines.
The program also sends a clear message: reintegration should not start only when an OFW has already returned. It should begin early, with training, planning, and support that can help workers come home with more confidence.
