Magsaysay People Resources Corporation (MPRC), through its business units Magsaysay Global Services, Inc. (MGSI) and the Magsaysay Center for Hospitality and Culinary Arts (MIHCA), welcomed the Austrian Trade Mission delegation in Cebu on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, as part of their Philippine visit to explore recruitment partnerships for skilled Filipino workers.
The Austrian Trade Mission, organized by the Aussenwirtschaft Austria and spearheaded by Internationale Fachkräfte-Offensive (IFO), consists of delegates from member companies of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber. Their primary aim: to address Austria’s growing demand for skilled professionals in healthcare, hospitality, information technology, and related sectors.
Expanding Demand Beyond Healthcare
(L-R) Marion R. Roño, President of Magsaysay People Resources Corporation and Commercial Counsellor of the Austrian Embassy’s Commercial Section Arnulf Gressel
According to Arnulf Gressel, Commercial Counsellor of the Austrian Embassy’s Commercial Section, Austria has long been welcoming Filipino healthcare workers since the 1970s. However, with many early migrants now retiring, Austria is again looking toward the Philippines—not only for nurses and caregivers but also for hospitality and IT professionals.
“Recruiting workers is expensive and time-consuming. But the Philippines offers a well-structured and trustworthy recruitment system, which ensures the security of both the workers and employers,” said Gressel. He also acknowledged the growing Filipino community in Austria and praised notable Filipino-Austrians like football star David Alaba and Eurovision 2025 winner JJ.
Magsaysay’s Role in Workforce Deployment
Marion R. Roño, President of Magsaysay People Resources Corporation
Marion R. Roño, President of MPRC, emphasized the company’s strong partnerships with Austrian businesses in providing skilled talent from various sectors, particularly hospitality, food processing, and manufacturing.
“Since launching deployment to Austria in 2024, we have already deployed over a hundred workers—mostly in hotels, resorts, restaurants, and food and beverage roles,” Roño said. “There is also a strong pipeline of healthcare workers currently undergoing language training to meet Austria’s requirement for German language proficiency.”
Roño highlighted Austria as an ideal destination for Filipino workers, citing the country’s strong labor protection laws, higher wages compared to other European nations, and pathways to permanent residency—such as Germany’s five-year residency option.
Investing in Talent and Training
Patrick H. Maxwell, President of Magsaysay Global Services, welcomed the delegates at the company’s regional headquarters in Cebu and showcased MIHCA’s state-of-the-art training facilities. MIHCA Cebu has invested heavily in cutting-edge training tools tailored for the cruise ship and hospitality sectors led by branch manager Ira Getubig Ortega.
“Our programs ensure that Filipino students and trainees are equipped with world-class industry skills and the adaptability needed to succeed globally,” Maxwell said. “We’re proud to be a regional hub supporting more than 5,000 workers, offering full documentation and recruitment services without the need for applicants to travel to Manila.”
Building Long-Term Partnerships
Maximilian Buchleitner of the Austrian delegation also expressed enthusiasm in expanding cooperation with local institutions. “We are excited to see different parts of the Philippines, especially Cebu, and to deepen our understanding of the local talent pool and infrastructure,” he said.
Austrian companies, in coordination with Advantage Austria Philippines, are actively partnering with trusted recruitment agencies like Magsaysay to meet their labor demands while ensuring the welfare of Filipino professionals.
As the delegation continues its Philippine mission, both parties expressed optimism about future collaborations that will open more opportunities for Filipino workers to thrive in Europe’s competitive job market.
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