The Philippines and Denmark are about to formalize a partnership that will promote long-term skills and training pipeline for Filipino healthcare professionals,
Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Hans Leo Cacdac and Kingdom of Denmark Minister for Senior Citizens Mette Kierkgaard have recently initialed and exchanged the latest drafts of a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Education, Training, and Recruitment of Filipino Health and Care Professionals in Makati City.
In a statement Friday, the DMW said the latest draft was finalized during the visit of Denmark’s Minister Kierkgaard. Cacdac said both governments are working to create an ethical and transparent recruitment system that will ensure Filipino workers will get proper treatment and working conditions in Denmark.
The draft MOU, Cacdac said, seeks to establish a government-to-government framework that will prioritizes education, training, and professional development as core components of deploying Filipino workers to Denmark’s care sector.
The MOU, he said, also supports capacity-building in the Philippines through workforce planning, knowledge transfer, and circular migration. A Joint Committee, he added, will oversee implementation once the accord.
The government-to-government cooperation will begin with a pilot program for social and health care helpers in elderly care and expand to more advanced roles, including social and health care assistants and nurses, supported by standardized training programs recognized by both governments.
The framework would guarantee that Filipino workers will undergo preparatory and skills-alignment training in accredited Philippine institutions, ensuring they meet Denmark’s requirements in elderly and medical care.
The initiative builds on a Joint Declaration of Intent signed in December 2024. Denmark earlier projected a shortage of 15,000 healthcare workers by 2035, highlighting the need for structured international partnerships. (With PNA)