The manufacturing industry in Taiwan is booming, with numerous factories creating and exporting various food products, electronics, and other items. Because of this, there are many jobs available in Taiwanese factories, including opportunities for forklift operators.
Forklift operators play an important role in factories, since they are responsible for driving machines that haul huge amounts of products and materials everyday. Because of them, daily production and operations in the factory is made faster and more efficient!
Guide to Applying as a Forklift Operator in Taiwan
If you are a certified and experienced forklift operator, and you are interested in working in Taiwan, read to learn more about how you can apply for this overseas job!
Job Description
Typically, forklift operators in factories are responsible for:
- Driving industrial trucks in factories and warehouses;
- Loading/unloading products onto trucks, and optimizing loads to ensure efficiency;
- Performing regular maintenance of industrial trucks;
- Inspecting machinery to determine the need for repairs; and
- Helping to maintain a safe and orderly working environment.
Salary and Benefits
The salary of forklift operators vary depending on their skills, job experience, and of course, the level of training required for the job.
That being said, we took the liberty of searching online and found several job ads. There’s a factory offering a monthly salary of TWD 23,800 (plus overtime) to forklift operators. For similar positions, there are two other factories offering monthly salaries of TWD 27,470 and TWD 28,590 (plus overtime), respectively.
In addition to their basic monthly salary, forklift operators can also look forward to getting overtime pay, health insurance, bonuses, and paid leave. Many factories also provide housing allowance, food allowance, transportation allowance, and other benefits.
Qualifications
When hiring forklift operators, most companies are looking for the following qualifications:
- Age 20 years old and above;
- College graduate (four-year course);
- With at least one (1) year work experience;
- With experience as a forklift operator;
- Able to speak and understand English; and
- With forklift operator certificate from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Furthermore, many companies also require applicants to meet some physical characteristics, such as:
- Height 170 centimeters and above;
- Weight 70 kilograms and below;
- 20/20 vision and not color blind;
- No tattoos; and
- Not left handed.
Requirements
Before applying as a forklift operator in Taiwan, be sure to prepare these general requirements:
- Passport (with at least 2 years validity);
- Latest 2×2 Photo on white background;
- Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS) Certificate;
- Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) E-Registration; and
- College Diploma or Transcript of Records (TOR).
Additionally, some employers and recruitment agencies may also require these documents:
- UMID or SSS Certification;
- Voter’s ID or Voters Certification;
- Philippine National ID (PhilSys ID);
- Birth Certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA);
- Marriage Certificate issued by PSA (if married); and
- Certificate of Employment (from past jobs).
Procedure
Applying as a forklift operator in Taiwan generally involves these steps: preparing your resume, finding a job and recruitment agency, preparing your documents, attending job interviews, and getting a work permit/work visa.
Preparing Your Resume
Before submitting an application, always make sure that your Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume is always up to date, including your educational background, seminars/training attended, job history (work experience), and other information.
Your resume doesn’t have to be elaborate; just make sure that it is clear and presentable!
Finding a Job and Recruitment Agency
These days, there are several ways to find a forklift operator job. First of all, you can search online, particularly on websites like JobStreet or LinkedIn. You can also go to the website or official social media channels of recruitment agencies; they regularly post job openings online. Just make sure that you are looking at a legitimate recruitment agency; beware of illegal scammers!
Another option is to go to the nearest Public Employment Service Office (PESO), which is located in Local Government Units (LGUs) across the Philippines. They may have information about job opportunities abroad that you can apply for.
Preparing Your Documents
Based on the list we presented earlier, start gathering an preparing your documents, including your passport, school records, training certificates, and other requirements.
Submit your documents to the recruitment agency. They will be the one to send your application to the prospective employer in Taiwan, and to coordinate with them on your behalf.
Attending Job Interviews
Going through a job interview is an important part of the application process. During this period, the recruitment agency, and possibly a representative from the overseas employer, can get to know more about you and your qualifications.
Be sure to dress properly and prepare for the occasion; arrive on time; answer the questions clearly and respectfully. You can also take this opportunity to inquire more about the job opening, the expected role and responsibilities, your salary, and benefits.
Once you get hired, you will be asked to sign an employment contract. Take time to read this carefully and make clarifications before you sign. Later, the signed contract will be processed at the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taiwan.
Getting a Work Permit and Visa
Before you go abroad, the employer, in coordination with the recruitment agency, will apply for your work permit at the Taiwan Ministry of Labor (MOL). This permit will enable you to enter and work legally in Taiwan; it is also one of the requirements for your work visa and Alien Residence Certificate (ARC) in the country.
Tips and Reminders
As a job seeker, take note of these tips and reminders to help ensure a successful job application and a smooth stay in Taiwan:
- Beware of Scammers. There are many illegal recruiters and online scammers out there! Before submitting any applications or documents, make sure that the agency is “legit” and recognized by the DMW. The job offer should also be listed in the DMW database.
- Be Punctual. When going to job interviews, and eventually when you get hired in Taiwan, always be on time! Being punctual is a sign of good work ethics on your part.
- Work Hard. Be diligent and always give your best to your job. Your employer will recognize and reward you for your hard work!
- Learn Basic Mandarin. Learning basic greetings and expressions in Mandarin can help you communicate better in the workplace.
- Learn the Culture. Over time, you will get to know more about Taiwan; it’s history, culture, customs, and practices. By learning more about the country, you can adapt better to living in Taiwan!
For those of you who are interested in working as a forklift operator in Taiwan, we hope that the above guide has been helpful! As long as you meet the qualifications and have all the necessary documents, you’ve got a high chance of landing a job in Taiwan!
As mentioned earlier, food factories are among the most active and competitive enterprises in the country. If you are thinking about working in this industry, check out this list of Taiwan companies that regularly hire Filipino food factory workers.