Thanks to the booming manufacturing industry in Taiwan, there are plenty of jobs available in factories, including machine operators, forklift operators, food factory workers, and many more. In this article, we shall focus on another important job in the factory: the maintenance technician.
While machine operators and forklift operators focus on using the various equipment in the factory, the maintenance technician serves as the “troubleshooter.” He/She is tasked to ensure that the machines and equipment are always in tip-top shape. In this manner, the factory is able to meet its daily production targets!
Guide to Applying as a Maintenance Technician in Taiwan
Maintenance technicians play an important role in ensuring a company’s productivity and efficiency. If you’re an experienced technician and you’d like to work in Taiwan, here is a brief guide on the qualifications, requirements, and steps to pursuing this job!
Job Description
Generally speaking, the maintenance technician is responsible for performing regular maintenance of all equipment in factories. This includes conducting regular inspections as well as performing repairs and other troubleshooting activities.
Specifically, maintenance technician jobs include focusing on a variety of equipment, such as mechanical and electrical machines.
Salary and Benefits
The salary of maintenance technicians vary depending on the skills, job experience, and certification required for the job. A quick search online led us to an opening for “preventive maintenance technicians,” which offers a monthly salary of TWD 32,300.
Aside from the basic monthly salary, maintenance technicians can also expect to receive overtime pay, bonuses, health insurance, paid leave, and other benefits such as housing allowance, food allowance, transportation allowance, and more.
Qualifications
The qualifications may vary among different companies, although here are some general criteria that most employers look for when hiring maintenance technicians:
- 35 years old and below;
- At least 16 cm in height;
- Graduate of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or any engineering-related course;
- Experience in equipment maintenance is preferred.
In addition, most companies are looking for these traits:
- Willing to move and travel (flexible);
- Able to work well and get along with others;
- Comfortable with heights as well as confined spaces; and
- Willing to work overtime, during weekends and holidays as needed.
Requirements
When seeking a maintenance technician job in Taiwan, applicants are advised to prepare these general requirements:
- Passport (with at least 2 years validity);
- Latest 2×2 Photo on white background;
- School Diploma and Transcript of Records (TOR);
- Tax Identification Number (TIN);
- UMID ID or Philippine National ID;
- Birth Certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA);
- Voter’s ID or Certificate;
- Online Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS) Certificate;
- Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) E-Registration;
NBI Clearance and Police Clearance; and - Certificate of Employment (from past jobs).
Procedure
Applying for a maintenance technician job in Taiwan typically involves several steps: prepare your resume, find a job and recruitment agency, prepare your documents, attend job interviews, get a work permit and work visa.
Prepare Your Resume
Make sure that you always have an updated resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) on hand. This should contain your educational background, seminars/training attended, job experience, and other details. The format should be simple and clear; it doesn’t have to be fancy! Its purpose is to present your credentials clearly.
Find a Job and Recruitment Agency
There are several ways to find maintenance technician job openings. First, you can search online through job portals such as Indeed, Jobstreet, and LinkedIn. You can also join Facebook groups for Taiwan OFWs, where recruitment agencies often post job vacancies.
Speaking of recruitment agencies, you can also contact them directly. Search for their official website, address, and other details. Make sure that they are included in the DMW website, as this indicates that they are legitimate companies!
Once you have contacted a recruitment company, you can start applying for job openings. Be sure to follow the instructions on their job announcements; most would require you to submit your resume and other documents via email or through their official website. If possible, you can also apply in person and submit your documents directly at the recruitment agency’s office.
Prepare Your Documents
As mentioned earlier, some general requirements include a valid passport, passport-sized photos, school records, government-issued IDs, and other documents. It would be wise for you to prepare these in advance, so that you can be ready when the recruitment agency calls you for a job interview.
Attend Job Interviews
The job interview is an important part of the application process. It provides the opportunity for you to present your skills and experiences, while enabling the employer or recruitment agency to decide whether you’re a good fit for the job.
Of course, make sure that you arrive for the interview on time. Dress appropriately (i.e. formal/office attire) and more importantly, be ready to answer clearly and respectfully.
Once you get hired for the job, you’ll be asked to sign an employment contract. Be sure to read this carefully and ask for clarifications when necessary. Eventually, this contract will be processed at the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taiwan.
Get a Work Permit and Work Visa
When you accept the job offer, the employer in Taiwan will submit a work permit application on your behalf, so that you can enter the country for employment purposes. The work permit is processed by the Workforce Development Agency (WDA) in Taiwan.
Once your work permit is approved, the employer will send documents so that you start applying for a work visa. At this stage, you’ll need to go to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Manila to submit your visa application. That’s it! Soon, you’ll be able to start on your new job in Taiwan!
If you think that you have what it takes to become a successful maintenance technician in Taiwan, go ahead and start submitting applications! We certainly hope that this guide has been helpful in your career journey!
Meanwhile, before you begin working in Taiwan, make sure that you are familiar with the country’s labor laws and practices. One of these laws is that Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), which seeks to ensure a safe workplace for all workers. Check out this guide to learn more about this law!