Education, English Proficiency, and Health as Predictors of Employment among Filipino Migrants and Non-migrants

Abstract

Immigrants face a number of unique challenges when migrating to the United States. One of the most important concerns is securing employment. For decades, Human Capital Theory has been the prevailing framework supporting the idea that types of human capital such as education, skills, English-proficiency, and other attributes are important for individuals to succeed in the labor market. This study examines the association between specific human capital factors - education level, English proficiency, and a novel type of human capital, health – and employment status among Filipino migrants (n=355) in the U.S. and non-migrants (n=721) in the Philippines. Data were taken from the larger, longitudinal Health of Philippine Emigrants Study (HoPES). Statistical analyses included a multivariate logistic regression analysis. Among migrants, education level (college and above) and health were associated with finding employment post migration. Additionally, male sex was found to be important for employment in the U.S. Among non-migrants, college education and health status were associated with employment. These findings indicate important upstream factors that can impact immigrant worker well-being in the U.S.