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International talent when the local labour market falls short
SkillShift helps employers in the Netherlands and Belgium attract skilled professionals from the Philippines for roles that are structurally hard to fill locally. We combine recruitment in the Philippines with knowledge of labour migration, permits, documentation and employment structures.
We first assess whether international recruitment is possible
Before recruiting candidates abroad, the vacancy and intended employment structure must be assessed. For many routes, the shortage on the local labour market is an important part of that assessment. However, the way this is demonstrated differs per country and immigration category.
For example
- Under Dutch GVVA routes, labour-market considerations can be relevant.
- For Dutch Highly Skilled Migrants, eligibility is primarily based on the applicable Highly Skilled Migrant requirements, including recognised sponsorship and salary requirements, rather than a traditional labour-market test.
- In Flanders, occupations on the official migration list for intermediate-skilled roles already carry a presumption of structural shortage.
- Other Flemish occupations may require evidence that the employer could not find a suitable candidate locally.
This is a first, high-level feasibility assessment — not the full application procedure.
What SkillShift can provide
Recruitment in the Philippines
We source candidates through our Philippine network and assess professional background, experience and suitability for the vacancy.
Screening and matching
We assess qualifications, work history, language ability and practical employability before presenting candidates.
Feasibility and immigration assessment
Before starting a case, we assess the role, salary, employment structure and applicable immigration route.
Work permits and immigration
We support the appropriate permit or immigration route for the Netherlands or Belgium.
Documentation, relocation and onboarding
We support document preparation, relocation and the transition to working and living in Europe.
Direct employment or staffing
Depending on the country, role and immigration route, candidates can be recruited directly by the client or supplied through SkillShift using an appropriate staffing structure.
Philippine compliance
The Philippine side of recruitment matters too
When recruiting directly from the Philippines, employers are dealing with two regulatory systems. In the Netherlands or Belgium, the employee must qualify for the applicable residence and work route. At the same time, the Philippine rules for recruitment, documentation and departure for overseas employment must be met.
The Department of Migrant Workers regulates the recruitment of Overseas Filipino Workers and the requirements before departure. Workers must be properly documented before departure. This means, among other things, that:
- employer, recruitment and contract documentation may need to be registered or verified
- the employer/recruitment relationship may need to be documented
- insurance, medical fitness and pre-departure orientation may apply
- the employee must ultimately obtain the correct OEC or OFW Pass and departure / exit clearance
- the requirements are checked per candidate, route and category
SkillShift is set up to work on both sides of this process. Through our Dutch and Belgian entities, we are registered with the DMW as a Foreign Recruitment Agency for the respective markets.
SkillShift coordinates this as part of the international recruitment route rather than leaving the employer and candidate to arrange the Philippine requirements independently.
Read more about DMW requirementsDirect recruitment or flexible staffing
Direct employment
The employee enters directly into employment with the client. SkillShift supports:
- Recruitment
- Selection
- Immigration
- Documentation
- Relocation
This is suitable for employers who want to employ the professional themselves from the start.
Staffing / secondment
For some roles and immigration routes, SkillShift can employ the professional and make them available to the client through temporary employment or secondment. This can reduce the administrative burden for the client and can provide a faster or simpler structure in certain situations.
The availability of this structure depends on the country, immigration category and circumstances. For Belgian routes, this structure is not available in every case.
Choose your country
Employing Filipino professionals in the Netherlands
The Netherlands offers different routes depending on the vacancy. These can include the GVVA route for regular employment and the Highly Skilled Migrant scheme for qualifying professional roles. SkillShift can support both direct employment and, where appropriate, staffing or secondment.
Employing in the NetherlandsEmploying Filipino professionals in Belgium
For long-term employment in Belgium, the applicable single permit route depends on factors including the occupation, skill level, salary and the labour-market situation. SkillShift assesses the vacancy before recruitment begins.
Employing in BelgiumNot sure which route applies?
The right structure depends on the role, salary, qualifications and employment model. We can assess the vacancy and determine which route is most suitable.
Discuss a vacancy