12 Skills You Should Learn Before Leaving for Abroad (JAPA)

1. Hair Styling

Hair styling is an incredibly versatile and valuable skill that is always in demand, especially for textured and Afro hair. Mastering various techniques, including braiding, weaving, and cutting, can give you a significant edge in countries where people may struggle to find professionals who specialize in Afro-textured hair care. Hair styling also opens up options for creative expression and building strong relationships with clients.

Why It’s Lucrative:

• Hair care, particularly for Afro-textured hair, is highly sought after globally.
• Many expats and locals are willing to pay top dollar for skilled stylists who can cater to their specific hair care needs.

Opportunities Abroad:

• Open your own salon or offer mobile hairstyling services.
• Work in established beauty salons, especially in areas with diverse populations.

How It Helps:

• In multicultural cities, especially those with large African communities, hair stylists are highly sought after, allowing you to build a loyal clientele and earn a stable, profitable income.

2. Barbing

Barbing, or men’s grooming, is another skill in high demand worldwide. Knowing how to shape, trim, and style different hair types, particularly textured hair, can set you apart in international markets. Learning advanced skills like beard grooming, line-ups, and hair patterns can give you the expertise to attract a wide range of clients.

Why It’s Lucrative:

• Barbing is a timeless profession that is always in demand, especially in areas where men prefer personalized grooming services.
• Skilled barbers can charge premium rates for tailored services.

Opportunities Abroad:

• Open a barbershop or offer mobile barbing services.
• Join established grooming salons, especially in communities with high demand for customized grooming.

How It Helps:

• This skill provides consistent work and premium pay, especially in areas with large African or diverse populations. Barbershops also often serve as community hubs, allowing you to build a loyal client base.

3. Fashion Design

Fashion design is a creative skill that allows you to make custom clothing, alterations, and offer African-inspired designs. Understanding fabric types, patterns, and tailoring techniques can help you create unique pieces that cater to both local and international fashion trends. This skill is especially valuable if you aim to serve niche markets that appreciate bespoke fashion.

Why It’s Lucrative:

• Fashion, particularly custom designs and alterations, is always in demand.
• Clients often seek out bespoke tailors for unique pieces and clothing repairs.

Opportunities Abroad:

• Start a tailoring business or partner with fashion houses.
• Offer bespoke designs, alterations, and African-inspired fashion to expats and locals.

How It Helps:

• Fashion design gives you the ability to cater to both expat and local markets, making it a highly versatile skill. With the right marketing, you can quickly establish a profitable business.

4. Catering/Baking

Catering and baking are essential skills that cater to universal needs: food and celebration. By mastering different cuisines, particularly African dishes, or learning to bake a variety of goods, you can tap into markets that crave diversity in food. People often seek caterers for events, and good bakers are always in demand for everyday purchases and special occasions.

Why It’s Lucrative:

• Catering or baking allows you to serve diverse groups, offering cultural dishes or baked goods that resonate with different communities.
• Cultural diversity in food is highly valued in international markets.

Opportunities Abroad:

• Start a catering business, sell baked goods, or open a small eatery.
• Offer your services for community events, festivals, and private parties.

How It Helps:

• With the right skills, you can cater to expat communities or locals who appreciate African dishes and baked specialties, easily building a strong client base.

5. CCTV Installation

In a world increasingly concerned about security, learning how to install and maintain CCTV systems is a valuable skill. Both homes and businesses require security solutions, and being proficient in CCTV installation and troubleshooting makes you a key player in this field. This skill is essential in cities with rising security concerns.

Why It’s Lucrative:

• Security systems are in demand worldwide, with many people and businesses investing in CCTV for protection.
• It’s a high-value skill that can generate a steady stream of clients.

Opportunities Abroad:

• Offer freelance CCTV installation services or partner with security companies.
• Start your own security business.

How It Helps:

• This skill allows you to tap into residential, commercial, and industrial markets, providing a consistent source of income in countries where safety is a priority.

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6. Software Engineering

As technology advances, software engineering is one of the most versatile and high-paying skills you can acquire. It encompasses programming, system development, and software maintenance. Many tech companies across the world are in constant need of software engineers, making this a global skill.

Why It’s Lucrative:

• The tech industry offers lucrative salaries and flexible job options, including remote work.
• Software engineers are in high demand, especially for developing new technology.

Opportunities Abroad:

• Work as a freelancer, join tech startups, or land jobs in established tech companies.
• Engage in remote projects for clients worldwide.

How It Helps:

• Software engineering opens up high-paying opportunities, allowing you to work from anywhere while earning a competitive salary.

7. Graphics and Product Design

Graphic design and product design are skills you should learn before you JAPA as they span a range of industries. As a graphic designer, you can work on branding, advertisements, product packaging, and more. Creativity and technical knowledge of design software are crucial to becoming a successful graphic or product designer in today’s global marketplace.

Why It’s Lucrative:

• Graphic designers are needed across various industries, from marketing to product development.
• Creative skills are highly marketable in a digital-first world.

Opportunities Abroad:

• Work as a freelance designer, join design agencies, or collaborate with product teams.
• Offer services to businesses needing branding or promotional materials.

How It Helps:

• With this skill, you can work remotely or on-site with businesses, allowing you to take advantage of global opportunities while maintaining flexibility.

8. Electrical Works

Every home and business needs a skilled electrician to install and maintain electrical systems. Mastering electrical works ensures that you are indispensable in both residential and commercial spaces. You can focus on installation, repair, or maintenance, offering your services to a wide range of clients.

Why It’s Lucrative:

• Electricians are needed everywhere, and skilled professionals can charge high rates for their expertise.
• Electrical services are essential in both homes and businesses.

Opportunities Abroad:

• Offer freelance electrical services or work with construction companies.
• Start your own electrical service business.

How It Helps:

• As an electrician, you are guaranteed a steady stream of clients since electrical work is a necessary service in all sectors.

9. Plumbing

Plumbing, like electrical work, is a skill that is always in demand. Knowing how to fix leaks, install water systems, and handle repairs ensures you have constant job opportunities. Plumbing is a critical service in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.

Why It’s Lucrative:

• Plumbing services are essential everywhere, especially in new and growing cities.
• Skilled plumbers are well-paid for their services, especially in repair and installation.

Opportunities Abroad:

• Work independently or with real estate and construction firms.
• Offer your plumbing services to both residential and commercial clients.

How It Helps:

• The constant demand for plumbing ensures steady employment and the ability to charge premium rates for specialized services.

10. Hospitality

The hospitality industry encompasses jobs in hotels, restaurants, tourism, and event management. If you enjoy working with people and offering great customer service, this skill can provide you with a stable and rewarding career in countries that rely heavily on tourism.

Why It’s Lucrative:

• The hospitality industry is booming worldwide, especially in countries with strong tourism sectors.
• Jobs in hotels, resorts, restaurants, and event management offer diverse career paths.

Opportunities Abroad:

• Work in hotels, restaurants, or manage events and tourism services.
• Start your own hospitality business or engage in tourism-related activities.

How It Helps:

• Hospitality offers stable employment in high-tourism regions, providing plenty of room for career growth and income stability.

11. Digital Marketing

As more businesses move online, the need for digital marketers to help companies grow their presence on the internet is skyrocketing. With skills in SEO, social media marketing, and content creation, digital marketers can work from anywhere with clients from around the globe.

Why It’s Lucrative:

• Digital marketing is in high demand as businesses strive to establish a strong online presence.
• You can work remotely or in-house, offering flexible and well-paying job opportunities.

Opportunities Abroad:

• Work remotely as a freelancer or join marketing agencies.
• Offer digital marketing services to small businesses or large corporations.

How It Helps:

• Digital marketing allows you to work with clients worldwide, providing flexibility and consistent income as companies increasingly prioritize online growth.

12. Furniture Making/Maintenance

Furniture making and maintenance are hands-on skills that are always in demand in both residential and commercial markets. Knowing how to craft custom furniture or maintain and repair existing pieces ensures that your services will always be sought after in communities where home décor and furniture upkeep are valued.

Whether it’s creating custom pieces for homes or businesses or providing furniture repair and maintenance services, this skill is highly versatile and always needed.

Why It’s Lucrative:

• Custom furniture and repair services are highly valued in regions where home and office décor is a priority.
• Skilled furniture makers can charge premium prices for bespoke pieces and high-quality repairs.

Opportunities Abroad:

• Open a furniture-making workshop or provide freelance repair and maintenance services.
• Partner with interior designers and decorators to create custom furniture or offer long-term maintenance services for businesses and residential clients.

How It Helps:

• This practical skill can easily turn into a profitable business in both residential and commercial markets. Custom furniture-making and repairs ensure a steady flow of clients who are willing to pay for quality craftsmanship.

Learning the skills you should learn before you JAPA equips you with the tools necessary to thrive in a new country. Each of these skills, from software engineering to plumbing, opens doors to lucrative career opportunities and entrepreneurship, providing financial stability and personal growth.

As you prepare for your journey abroad, mastering one or more of the skills you should learn before you JAPA will help you secure your future, adapt easily, and succeed wherever you choose to settle. With the right skills, you can build a sustainable career and enjoy a prosperous life abroad.