The household services sector (the term “household services” refers to general housekeeping duties and should continue to be used in any further statements) plays a major role in the Philippines.

Existing research indicates that a traditional system operates in this sector and makes widespread use of the term “maid”.

A high rate of economic growth over the past 20 years has led to the emergence of a middle class in the Philippines. This in turn has led to other demands, which are moving away from the traditional “maid” system, especially in conurbations such as Metro Manila and Cebu alongside the conventional large landowners or industrialists and the growing involvement of many foreign enterprises.

What is happening is the emergence of a more service-oriented structure of household support, which differs from the traditional system of “live-in maids” by moving towards conventional contracts through agencies in the household services sector.

Another difference is the standard of quality required of the service. This applies equally to full or partial services. The focus here is on doing jobs quickly, correctly and to a high standard of quality. However, more suitably qualified personnel are required to deliver such services.

Research has also shown that it is precisely these personnel who are either unavailable or in very short supply. This applies not only in the area of conventional housekeeping, but also to establishments in the hospitality industry and hence to the tourism sector as a whole, which is one of the growing branches of industry in the Philippines.

We are therefore dealing with the growth of domestic demand for high-quality services in the household services sector in the Philippines. (International demand on the other hand is already strong and is largely served by skilled Filipino workers, with cruise ships being an outstanding example. The information available on Filipino domestic helps in countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong or the Arab states is not really comparable, therefore, as the housekeeping sector tends not to employ skilled workers but people who often have different vocational qualifications but have to earn a living as “housemaids” to keep themselves and their families above the breadline.)

The construction of a household services school by “German Excellence Solutions, Inc.” hopes to address precisely this domestic demand for high-quality household services.

Skilled workers will be trained and become duly qualified in a household services school. The curricular requirements of the course of training are based on the Training Regulations for Housekeepers (Ausbildungsverordnung Hauswirtschafter/Hauswirtschafterin) dated 30 June 1999 in the FRG.

The course of training will be duly adapted to requirements and then further developed.

GES is working in close cooperation with Fürstenwalder Aus- und Weiterbildungszentrum (FAWZ) gGmbH through this project to set up the Household and Industrial Cleaning Services School in Manila, Philippines.

Over the years the Fürstenwalder Training Center gGmbH has built up a strong network. Regional authorities, federal ministries and European institutions are among the partners, as well as regional companies.

Valued by parents, pupils and trainees alike, the Fürstenwalder training and further education center has developed a good reputation as an educational service provider.

The education and vocational training of the Brandenburg youth is very important to us. We also want to improve our educational opportunities in the future for your career prospects. The commitment to education is underpinned by active memberships and interest groups.