Kochi: The Occupational English Test (OET) organizers are optimistic about the resumption of recruitments by the UK’s National Health Services (NHS) within the first quarter of next year. Amit Upadhyay, Regional Director for OET South Asia, shared this encouraging update during his visit to Kochi, a hub for aspiring healthcare professionals in Kerala.
Upadhyay revealed that while NHS recruitments are currently paused, they are expected to resume soon, providing fresh opportunities for job seekers in India. “We anticipate NHS hiring to pick up by early next year. This is particularly good news as global demand for healthcare professionals, including nurses and aged care specialists, continues to rise due to the lasting impacts of the pandemic, the surge in chronic illnesses, and ageing populations in major economies,” he said.
Acknowledging a decline in OET test takers due to the NHS slowdown, he highlighted the exam’s recognition in other countries like the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland. Efforts are underway to educate candidates and institutions about these alternative pathways.
On concerns regarding past incidents of exam fraud, Upadhyay assured that stringent measures have been implemented to enhance test security. Following a fraud case in Chandigarh, the test center was immediately shut down, and affected candidates were offered retests in a secure environment.
Currently, OET operates 15 test centers in Kerala and 37 across India, with Kerala contributing over 80% of test takers. Globally, more than 2,20,000 OET tests were conducted in 2023, reflecting its growing significance in the healthcare recruitment landscape.
This news brings hope to healthcare professionals in Kerala and India, eager to leverage OET for global opportunities.
