Interagency group formed for talent development in IT-BPM

MANILA, Philippines — An interagency group has been formed to promote talent development in information technology-business process management (IT-BPM) for the industry’s continued growth and expansion, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.

Speaking at the IT-BPM Talent Summit on Wednesday, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said the formation of the interagency technical working group shows the collective effort to strengthen collaboration and partnership to promote the growth of the IT-BPM industry.

The Statement of Commitment to implement a five-year National Development Program for the IT-BPM Industry was signed by the heads of the DTI, Department of Education, Department of Information and Communication Technology, Commission on Higher Education, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Science and Technology, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP).

Under the Statement of Commitment, activities will be undertaken in four key areas of focus such as talent development through upskilling and reskilling of potential and existing workforce, marketing and promotion, talent hub, and policy and regulatory support.

“Strengthening the country’s IT-BPM sector requires a multi-stakeholder partnership – government, academe, and the industry. The signing of the Statement of Commitment serves as a testament to the Philippine government’s unwavering support and dedication to the growth and expansion of the IT-BPM industry,” Pascual said.

IBPAP president and chief executive officer Jack Madrid said talent is currently the industry’s biggest challenge and addressing it would require the efforts both of the government and the private sector.

“The biggest opportunity really for us to continue to grow and deliver one million jobs is if we can address the talent crisis,” he said.

Under the Philippines IT-BPM Industry Roadmap 2028, the goal is to generate 1.1 million new jobs.

Last year, the industry saw its headcount rise by 8.4 percent to 1.57 million full-time employees.

Madrid said the goal to create 1.1 million new jobs by 2028 is under threat due to the talent and skills gap.

He said the 1.1 million new jobs by 2028 is the most optimistic scenario.

“If we just kept doing what we’re doing, business as usual, we’ll probably grow 600,000 to 700,000 jobs,” he said.

If no action is taken to address the skills gap in talent, he said the industry would only be able to create 300,000 new jobs by 2028.