Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

In the past two days, my inbox was overwhelmed by emails, pati inbox ng mobile phone ko ay napuno din ng messages. Since most of the questions are recurring, I will just put them in the list of Frequently Asked Questions so that applicants will be requested to first read the FAQ before throwing questions.


1. When will actual hiring going to take place?

There are a few hiring going on as we speak such as yard workers (welders, pipe fitters, ship fitters, etc.) for Guam Shipyard and construction workers but right now limited to generator mechanics, heavy equipment operators (earth moving), heavy equipment mechanics and electricians. We are expecting the bulk of deployment in the second quarter of next year.

2. Is the recruitment exclusive to former US base workers?

Not at all. While former base workers have an edge since they are already familiar with the US Mil standard operating procedures (SOP) and can easily adopt to the culture and language, this advantage does not necessarily mean that they have exclusive right to apply.

3. Are there opening for Nurses?

We have not yet received specific requirement for nurses but obviously, when you send 15 thousand workers plus the 8 thousand marines and 10 thousand dependents… you will definitely need nurses to look after their health and medical requirement.

4. How about entertainers?

Almost the same as in the above answer, with more that 30 thousand people additional people on the island, especially with workers and marines…. By experience that we had in Subic and Clark…. We have no doubt about the boom in entertainment industry as well.

5. Is there some sort of placement fee?

Absolutely none. This was emphasized during the industry forum by the Guam Department of Labor. They will ban recruitment agencies that have proven to have charged recruitment fees. Under their law, the employer has to shoulder such expenses.

No recruitment fee will be collected from aspiring workers but a service fee of up to $1,000 will be collected from the construction companies that will hire foreign workers

6. Is there age limit?

Guam being under US, implements the Equal Opportunity Employment Law. Age, Sex or Gender, Religion and handicap will not hinder you from being employed. In fact when we visited Guam Shipyard, there are Filipino workers who are as old as 65.

7. What jobs are going to be opened? And where can we see the job openings?

Mostly construction and warehousing workers in the early parts of the project (2010 – 1013) then maintenance and base workers in general (from office admin – accounting –computers - clerical – security – etc)
Follow below link for list of open positions
http://guam-ofw.blogspot.com/search/label/Job%20Vacancy

8. How is the rate per hour on various positions?

http://guam-ofw.blogspot.com/2009/05/guam-wage-rates.html

9. How do we register?

http://guam-ofw.blogspot.com/2009/07/application-form.html

10. How do we know if we qualified? And do we need a passport?

The employer checks our data base whenever they require manpower; they are the one who will select the applicants for interview.

Passport is a must if you intend to travel outside of the country. Employers who are choosing between two equally qualified applicants will definitely select the one who already has passport.

11. Do we need to regularly email the task force to ask questions and make follow-up on the status of our application?

If you have finished thoroughly reading this document and you were not able to find answer to your question, then you can email your question and we will answer as soon as we can (even post it here if we think others will be interested to the answer. You are not however advised to make follow-ups on your application, remember that the employer will be the one who will contact you if they are convinced that you are the worker they are looking for.

12. Where can we submit our resume and supporting documents?
We are encouraging applicants to submit digital applications (via email) since we are not capable of storing volumes of papers. Just have your resume and other documents ready, you will have to bring it (original and two photo copies) when you are called for interview or initial screening. You will learn more about the details once you receive and email or text message from the task force.

13. What training program can we avail for free at the Olongapo Skills Training Center and how can we avail of such training?

Welding, Shipbuilding, Computer Cyber Skills, Call Center, etc

14. Is the Task Force Guam acting like an employment agency? NO

15. What POEA land based agencies are connected to the task force Guam?

At present there are five with formal MOU, one of which is the Philippine Association of Service Exporters Inc (PASEI) which have more than seven hundred member agencies.

16. Why would Guam prefer Filipinos over other nationalities who are accepting lower salaries such as Chinese, Vietnamese, Thailanders, Indians, etc. and why don’t they just hire jobless Americans?

First of, remember that they are constructing a military facility (their military secrets are of prime consideration – the Chinese is one military might which they need to always be “on-guard” (you know where this discussion is going to…)

I can’t talk for the other third world workers but I will just quote Guam Officials on what they can say about the OFW:

“The most likely source of non-US workers for us would be the Philippines," said Guthertz. This, said Respicio, was because “Filipinos are hardworking, they’re loyal, and they’re very, very industrious."