De La Salle U ties up with US firm for call center training institute project

TeleDevelopment Services (TDS), a US-based global training and consulting company in the call center business, will put up a facility in the Philippines through a tie-up with the De La Salle University (DLSU).

Trade and Industry Secretary Cesar Purisima said the entry of TDS, whose clients include some of the biggest companies in the world, bodes well for the growing call or contact center industry in the country.

TDS will be the first global training institute to set up shop in the Philippines, hooking up with DLSU for the establishment of a call center training institute.

The DLSU facility will serve as backup to TDS trainers, assisting in developing the English language component of the company’s agent certification program and reviewing TDS materials for all certification program adapted for the Philippines.

Purisima said being a global training facility, TDS would be able to offer vital training for local manpower, particularly in dealing with American customers.

Among TDS’ clients are Sears, New York Times Telemarketing Journal, General Motors, American Honda Co., and General Electric, among others.

The company has been in the training and development of manpower for call/contract centers since 1993.

Purisima added that training and exposure from a global firm such as TDS would help ensure the viability of the country’s call center industry, which has been a top source of investment and employment over the past few years.

Last year, 69 percent or P4.46 billion of total investments in the information technology sector went to the call center business, resulting in the creation of an additional 19,000 new jobs.

There are about 60 call centers operating in the country with a total capacity of 20,000 seats, providing employment for 30,000 agents/operators.