Taiwan's Labor Ministry will launch a digital learning program this year to enhance Mandarin skills and caregiving proficiency among migrant workers and foreign caregivers. The initiative offers both online and physical classes, with free enrollment but limited slots. Interested individuals can find updates on the Foreign National Labor Rights Portal starting mid-February.
Labor Ministry official Chuang Kuo-liang (莊國良) says that the program includes Mandarin lessons tailored for workers from major source countries, including Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines. Additionally, caregiving courses, focusing on Indonesian-speaking participants, will incorporate both online lectures and practical workshops.
Chuang says that to prioritize hands-on experience, caregiving workshops feature 30 hours of clinical training and 8 hours of practical sessions. Due to resource constraints, the program will have limited enrollment, offering three classes for digital courses and three for practical workshops with a capacity of 67 students in each class.
Chuang says graduates are encouraged to pursue the Ministry's caregiver certification, streamlining applications for the Long-term Retention of Skilled Foreign Workers Program. He says that if employers intend to require migrant workers to sign up for the training courses, they should grant relevant leave for participants. He also recommends applying for a short-term alternative care service program that the Labor Ministry can subsidize for respite services 52 days per year.
Labor Ministry will incorporate both online lectures and practical workshops. (CNA)
