Skilled workers still in demand in the US

CEBU, Philippines - Although the unemployment rate in the United States is still on its highest level, it does not mean that the “American dream” of most Filipinos is threatened and shut-off momentarily, in fact, America still needs skilled workers.

According to economist Nicolas Kwan, the head for Standard Chartered Bank research (East), employment demand in the U.S. is still growing.

“People who have the skills are still needed,” said Kwan adding that big companies in the United States are still looking for competitive people.

Filipinos with their renowned ability of resilience and strong “fighting spirit” can be a good competitive advantage which companies are looking for specifically in the struggling economic environment in the US.

While there are industries that are badly affected by still recovering global recession, some industries have also sustained their growth, such as those in the medical, technology and other fields.

One of the indicators is the sustained remittance volume of Filipinos at the height of the global recession. This means, that there were only few Filipinos who were affected by the cutting of jobs, and recession effects to their employment abroad.

Kwan said employment opportunity in American is still promising especially for skilled Filipino workers.

On the other hand, while US and Europe are still struggling, people have yet to see the opportunity that the Asian region is offering, as it is considered as the emerging economy in the world.

He said people have to see that the world now is being seen in two parts—the slow growing part (industrial world—US, Europe, Japan), and the emerging part (developing countries, like Asia, including the Philippines.)

“The world is different now since the crisis broke,” said Kwan. Asia on the other hand, is contributing 40 percent of the world’s growth, which is one-third of the world’s GDP.

In the United States, the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are lagging behind, while big companies are still sustaining their operations, and growing respectably.

Today, there are at least eight million unemployed workforces in the United States. This means that in every six workforce—one has no job. About 600 thousand Americans are now actively looking for job.

Although it is still attractive for Filipinos to find ‘greener pastures” in industrialized countries like US and Europe the future however is changing within the medium and long term, he emphasized.

The opportunities now are directed to the Asian region, wherein “multi-speed” recovery is happening. Thus, employment opportunities may still look good in the United States, but Filipinos also have to consider the promising opportunities that Asia will be offering the short and long term.

He said Asia recovered too well, compared to US and Europe. “Many of us [Asian countries] didn’t fall into recession including the Philippines,” Kwan said.

Kwan said what sustained Asia during the global economic crash, is the active market within the region, wherein 90 percent of Asia’s growth is fueled by its own market. – THE FREEMAN