PH call centers to keep growth

The Business Processing Association of the Philippines said the voice segment of the industry is showing no signs of slowing down and is expected to sustain its growth next year.

BPAP president and chief executive Benedict Hernandez said Tuesday employment in the call center sector or the voice segment would increase to 567,000 in 2013 from the current 493,000.

“The voice industry is one of the most dynamic and progressive sectors today. Its growth in the last six years is at least five times higher than the average employment growth in the country. This means that employment opportunities in the voice industry is more lucrative compared with other industries,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez said as the number one destination for voice services, the Philippines enjoys competitive advantage because of a large Filipino talent pool.

He cited a recent survey by GlobalEnglish Corp. showing the Philippines as the best country in terms of business English proficiency, even ahead of the United States.

Hernandez said to maintain this lofty status and ensure the competence of existing and potential voice sector employees, BPAP teamed up with government institutions to standardize training programs.

He said BPAP and the Contact Center Association of the Philippines also forged partnerships with academic institutions to give students the chance to have their internship at BPO companies.

CCAP executive director Jojo Uligan said compensation in the voice industry was more attractive than other industries. “An entry-level position that typically requires a fresh college graduate or undergraduate can have a basic monthly salary of about P12,000 to P13,000. This is 38 percent higher than the basic minimum of P9,000,” Uligan said. –Julito G. Rada, Manila Standard Today