Skills training for faster BPO hiring

MANILA, Philippines - Sitel, a leading business process outsourcing (BPO) provider in the Philippines, responds to the current economic recession by offering free skills training to aspiring BPO professionals. Sitel is the 2008 International ICT BPO Company of the Year.

With downsizing companies following a selective hiring process, the skills training aims to give aspiring applicants a competitive edge. Sitel’s 30-day free intensive call center training called Sitel Academy prepares applicants to meet industry standards and become an integral part of the BPO industry.

While other companies are cutting costs, Sitel confronts the economic downturn by expanding operations in urbanized rural communities.

Sitel Community Training for Employment Program (SCTEP) is a partnership with local government units (LGUs) to implement free call center training in different communities. Educational institutions are also tapped to work with Sitel to train future BPO employees under the Sitel Academic Partnership Program (SAPP).

With projected one million BPO seats by 2010, outsourcing and offshoring (O&O) companies are expected to augment the number of job vacancies in the country. An estimated 900,000 college graduates and undergraduates are expected to join the workforce in 2009, and Sitel makes sure that the skilled applicants will be part of its team.

To produce industry-prepared graduates, Sitel Philippines, headed by chief operating officer Tim Hardin, signed a partnership with San Beda College of Arts and Sciences Dean Fr. Anselm Manalastas to conduct call center training for students. The 26 students who took part in the program are now ready to explore employment opportunities in the BPO industry.

Launched in 2007, SAPP pushes for proactive alliances with educational institutions to mutually develop a curriculum that offers a comprehensive call center program as a special elective to students.

After the successful first run, Sitel and San Beda are getting ready for more trainings in 2009, with hopes of expanding the program for students who want to pursue call center careers after graduation.

SAPP has existing tie-ups with seven universities in Metro Manila and North Luzon — National University, University of Cordilleras, Perpetual Help Colleges Manila, University of Perpetual Help Isabela, University of Baguio, Pangasinan Colleges of Science and Technology and San Beda College Manila. 

Sitel Philippines’ facilities are located in Pasig City, Quezon City, Mandaluyong City and Baguio City. With more than 60,000 associates worldwide, Sitel’s global footprint expands across 155+ facilities throughout North America, South America, EMEA and the Asia Pacific Rim. For more information about Sitel, visit www.sitel.com.