The Philippines should focus on implementing policies that will develop its education system and curriculum to meet the demand for workers of the business process outsourcing industry, a high-ranking official of BPO firm Sutherland said.

Dilip Vellodi, chair and chief executive officer of Sutherland Global Services, said policies on curriculum and education should be applied so the Philippines can maintain its position as one of the top outsourcing destinations.

Vellodi said the country must have a "strategic outlook" over the next five to 10 years and must continue to have a "highly educated talent pool". He added that educational institutions should produce more graduates who are qualified to work.

"Universities must ensure that their graduates are truly employable," said Vellodi. He added that schools must produce graduates who "meet the language proficiency requirements of the industry."

BPO firms in the Philippines have been complaining of low recruitment yield and lack of applicants who are fluent in English. Experts said that only 6-20 percent of the applicants are qualified to work in the BPO industry.

Jamea Garcia, executive director for talent of the Business Process Association of the Philippines (BPAP) said that if the current scenario prevails, the country might not have enough supply of workers in 2010.

The BPAP estimates that around 1 million workers will be employed by the BPO industry in 2010. The industry employed 320,000 workers as of 2007 and needs to recruit around 600,000 in the next two years to meet the target.

Training

Sutherland, Vellodi said, has trained 5,000 graduates across the country to augment its demand for skilled workers. He added that they have partnered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and local government units (LGUs) to set up recruitment and training centers.

The training, Vellodi said, is expected to create a Philippine-based talent pool for delivering high-end BPO services.

Vellodi added that Sutherland will invest P2 billion capital investments and will be spending P3.1 billion for salaries and workers’ training and development this year.

More sites in the provinces

The company, he added, is planning to expand by establishing their presence in new sites outside Metro Manila, where most of the BPO firms are located.

"We are rolling out a provincial model," Vellodi said adding that their company is planning to set up sites in Tarlac, Iloilo and two more provinces. Sutherland has operations in Makati, Clark, Davao City and Camarines Sur and employs around 5,600 workers.

"The results from our operations in Manila, Clark and Davao have been truly impressive and we look forward to leveraging that as wee continue to expand our presence in the Philippines," he said.

Vellodi said that they are planning to invest on areas that have access to infrastructure, high quality of talent and a political and business climate conducive to business. (abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak)

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