The Top Skills in the Philippines for Employability

Find out the top skills employers in The Philippines are looking for. We take a look at some of the most in-demand hard and soft skills and how you can improve yours.

It’s been a tough time for the job market in the Philippines lately. The country fell into a recession in the middle of 2020, with COVID-19 lockdowns meaning the GDP forecast was cut sharply. However, a few recent reports suggest that there are better times to come for those looking for jobs in the country. To help you with your search, we’ve highlighted some of the top skills in the Philippines. 

As well as looking at the hard and soft skills that employers are looking for right now, we also explore some of the courses and resources you can use to improve your own skill set. 

What skills are employers in the Philippines looking for?

It’s not always easy to identify the skills that employers look for. As you might expect, a great deal of it depends on the job role, company, and industry. However, there are some good indicators that we can use to understand some of the common skills needed. 

One such example is the emerging jobs report from LinkedIn. This outlines several positions and skills that are becoming increasingly popular. We can also look at things such as market insights and skills gap data to determine some of the most in-demand skills in the Philippines. 

Here, we’ve identified some of the hard and soft skills that employers are looking for at the moment. We’ve also picked out some ways you can learn these skills. 

Hard skills 

First, let’s explore the job-specific skills that employers look for. These are the teachable and quantifiable abilities that allow people to perform certain jobs. 

Data analysis

The field of data science is rapidly developing in many different countries, including the Philippines. With businesses taking an increasingly data-driven approach, those who can collate, process, and interpret data are in high demand. 

By working on your data analysis skills, you’ll find that many job roles and career avenues open up to you. Whether it’s learning the basics of big data analytics or developing a more in-depth understanding of data analytics for business, you’re sure to stand out from the crowd. 

Software development

Development jobs are growing in the Philippines, whether it’s for front-end, back-end or full-stack developers. Having a working knowledge of software development principles is useful for a range of different careers, many of them high-paying. 

Whether it’s learning specific programming languages, such as SQL or JavaScript, or working on the fundamentals of software development, you can soon give your career a boost. 

App development 

This in-demand skill is closely linked to software development. In the increasingly digital world we live in, apps are becoming essential for businesses and consumers. If you know how to build such apps, you’re unlikely to be short of work. 

Whether you’re more focused on mobile app design, creating a great user experience, or developing apps themselves, there are many jobs in the Philippines you can apply for.  

Digital marketing 

Demand for digital marketing professionals in the Philippines continues to grow as more of the population goes online. Whether you specialise in a particular area of digital marketing or have a more general knowledge, you’ll find plenty of job opportunities in the country. 

Get started with your overall digital marketing skills, or start to find your niche with subjects such as CRM or social media. 

UI and UX 

Continuing with the theme of digital jobs, two more in-demand skills in the Philippines are UX and UI. User Interface (UI) is related to graphic design but focuses on digital visual experiences. Similarly, User Experience (UX) focuses on the overall interaction between digital product and user. 

If you’re totally new to the field of UX, you can start with our Introduction to User Experience Principles and Processes course. For a more detailed exploration of the subject, our UX Design Fundamentals ExpertTrack is worth checking out. 

Teaching 

There is always a demand for high-quality teachers, and the Philippines is no different. Recently, a teacher’s group pressured the Department of Education to hire 150,000 more teachers to help reduce class sizes. As such, those with the necessary teaching skills could find many job openings in the future. 

We have plenty of online teaching courses you can get started with, as well as more specialised ExpertTracks on subjects such as blended learning that can help you develop your skills. 

Construction 

When it comes to the skills shortage in the Philippines, there is a huge need for skilled individuals in the construction industry. The country’s ambitious infrastructure projects rely on having enough skilled workers in this area, meaning opportunities are plentiful. 

Our Step into Construction course highlights some of the routes into the industry, while we also have more specific courses on subjects such as contract management and construction quality. Such courses can help you develop skills alongside your practical knowledge. 

Sales

Another role that appears on LinkedIn’s list of emerging jobs in the Philippines is that of Sales Development Representative. These professionals help businesses connect with customers and make sales. 

We have several opportunities that can help you build your sales skills. Our microcredential on sales skills for today is a good place to start. Our ExpertTrack, Microsoft Business Applications: Dynamics 365 and Power Platform for Sales Professionals, is also worth checking out. 

Digital skills

As you’ve no doubt noticed, many of the top skills in the Philippines are in some way related to digital developments. In the modern world, digital skills are essential for just about any career. So, whether you’re just starting out or hoping to change jobs, it’s vital that you’re up to speed with the fundamentals. 

We have courses that can help you embrace digital technology, as well as those that can teach you the essential digital skills for work and life. 

Soft skills 

While hard skills are certainly important, many employers are also looking for professionals with a range of soft skills. These are the interpersonal and transferable abilities that make an individual a good employee. Here are some of the top soft skills in the Philippines right now: 

Leadership 

Demand for leadership skills is evident worldwide. Businesses across every industry need individuals who can bring out the best in others, effectively manage projects, and deliver success. 

There are many ways you can work on your leadership skills. Find out some of the basics with our What is Leadership? course, or discover the importance of strategic thinking when it comes to leading others. If you’re looking for an in-depth look at leading people and teams, check out our ExpertTrack. 

Adaptability

In the many fast-paced industries in the Philippines, you need to be able to adapt to new situations. Employers look for those who can be agile and flexible, no matter what they’re facing. Being able to demonstrate these skills can help you stand out from the crowd. 

Why not get started with our course on wellbeing and resilience at work, which explores how to deal with the rapidly changing workplace. You’ll explore why employers value adaptability and also evaluate your own strengths in this area.   

Critical thinking 

If you’re hoping for a career where there’ll be an element of problem-solving, critical thinking is an essential skill. Many employers in the Philippines look for such abilities, which is why it’s useful to work on your own. 

A good place to start is with our course on logical and critical thinking, which examines how to analyse and evaluate arguments. You can also check out our new course on critical thinking for the information age. 

Final thoughts 

As you can see, employers in the Philippines look for a wide range of hard and soft skills. As such, whatever stage of your career you’re at, it can help to develop your abilities in many of these areas. With the courses and ExpertTracks we’ve outlined throughout this article, you can work on some of the top skills in the Philippines for employability.