If you have been working abroad for years but never got the chance to finish college, the OWWA office in Kuwait is now accepting registrations from OFWs who want to turn their experience and skills into a formal academic credential under the STEP-UP Program.
As part of OWWA’s reintegration efforts, it seeks to help OFWs build qualifications that can lead to better jobs in the Philippines or abroad, whether through certified skills, education equivalency, maritime training, or entrepreneurship. The program works with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) through the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program ( ETEEAP).
In simple terms, your years of relevant work experience may be assessed and credited as you work toward a college degree. Applicants must also be at least 23 years old, high school graduates or college undergraduates, and have at least five years of work experience related to the degree they want to pursue. They must also have attended training, seminars, or workshops.
OWWA-OWO Kuwait announced the registration through its official Facebook post, where interested applicants can find the QR code and Google Form link. The office said the form will help OWWA and CHED determine how many OFWs are interested in joining.
What it Covers
Under STEP-UP, qualified OFWs may access LEAP-OFWs, or the Lifelong Learning Education Assistance Program for OFWs. OWWA developed the program with CHED to help migrant workers continue their education while recognizing what they learned from working in the Philippines and overseas.
Some OFWs may qualify for ETEEAP, an alternative route to a college degree. Instead of starting from scratch, applicants’ prior learning and relevant work experience are assessed and may be credited toward academic requirements.
OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne “PY” Caunan said the program gives OFWs a chance to keep learning, finish their studies, improve their skills, and prepare for the next stage of their lives and careers.
Who Can Apply
According to the OWWA-OWO Kuwait post, applicants must meet all of the following qualifications:
- Be a current OFW working abroad or a returning OFW in the Philippines.
- Be at least 23 years old.
- Be a high school graduate or college undergraduate.
- Have at least five years of work experience relevant to the degree program they intend to pursue.
- Have attended training, seminars, or workshops.
The post also states that a qualified OFW may avail of the program only within one year after returning to the Philippines.
How to Register
OWWA-OWO Kuwait directed interested applicants to scan the QR code in its Facebook post or accomplish the Google Form provided in the announcement. The form will help OWWA and CHED determine the number of interested applicants for the program.
Before registering, OWWA advised applicants to:
- Read all program details and qualifications carefully.
- Make sure they meet every requirement.
- Fill out the Google Form completely and accurately.
- Review their answers before submitting.
The registration link posted by OWWA-OWO Kuwait is: https://forms.gle/BYsbVQkEVQJfcDzh6.
What Applicants Should Watch For
The Kuwait post is a registration and expression-of-interest call. It does not state the scholarship amount, participating schools, available degree programs, or exact deadline for submission.
Applicants should wait for official instructions from OWWA and CHED and verify any fees, documentary requirements, or school-specific rules through official government channels before proceeding. OWWA said it will continue working with CHED and other institutions to make education and skills development more accessible to migrant workers.
To learn more about the OWWA STEP-UP Program, you may watch this video below: