The Overseas Development and Employment Promotion Consultants (ODEPC), a government initiative under Kerala’s Labour Department, is ramping up efforts to expand recruitment for international job opportunities in the new year. In a recent interview with Manorama Thozhilveedhi, K A Anoop, Managing Director of ODEPC, revealed that the agency plans to broaden its recruitment efforts, particularly for nurses, and offer more placements in various foreign countries.
One of the most exciting new developments for job seekers, particularly nurses, is the recruitment program for Germany, Australia, and Belgium. The program, which starts in January 2024, offers free language training in German and Dutch and covers visa and air ticket costs. This initiative is expected to attract a significant number of individuals interested in overseas employment opportunities, especially in the healthcare sector.
ODEPC has been actively recruiting individuals for several countries, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Germany, the UK, Belgium, and more. Plans are also underway to extend recruitment to Austria, Singapore, and Australia. In 2024, the organization facilitated 636 recruitments, with the UAE topping the list with 200 placements, followed by Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Belgium. The positions recruited for include nurses, security guards, teachers, engineers, and even CEOs.
While the focus remains on filling nurse and technician vacancies, ODEPC is looking into expanding its offerings to other job positions. This expansion aims to meet the diverse demands of the international job market, ultimately benefitting a larger pool of candidates in Kerala seeking better career opportunities abroad.
