US multi-customer BPO firm to hire more Pinoy IT workers

AIG Business Processing Services Inc. (BPSI), a major American multi-customer business process outsourcing (BPO) company, is interested in hiring Filipino IT workers for their outsourcing operations in the Philippines.

According to Neil Elias, BPSI president, "the Filipinos’ proficiency in English and the 30- percent plus cost savings in off shoring have impressed most US companies with outsourcing arrangements with the Philippines."

BPSI is part of the AIG Group employing 92, 000 people in more than 130 countries.

BPSI began its operations in the Philippines in January 2003, the first back office outsourcing of the AIG Group.

As of 2004, it employs 450 people in BPO, 100 in contact centers and 50 in support services.

Elias said the company targets to employ more than 1, 500 people this year.

"People are a critical thing in outsourcing. As long as the Philippines continue its English programs then we are on track," Elias said.

The government, fortunately, Elias noted, has recognized the strategic importance of the information technology electronic services (ITES) sector to the Philippine economy and has directed schools to use English as a principal language of instruction.

There are now specialized courses designed to align instruction with the practical needs of the ITES sectors.

Aside from curriculum development tailored according to the needs of the industry, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has been advocating IT Certification to boost the ICT workers’ professional achievement, provide better job opportunities and give foundational knowledge for more advanced ICT certifications.

This is in recognition of the global demand for ICT workers and ensure a steady pool of Filipino IT professionals.

"Customers want a BPO provider which meets their model. This means that the domain knowledge, communication skills and management alignment must all be developed," said Elias.

"By setting up language schools and holding cultural workshops to reduce communication gaps, AIG has been successful in developing a career management system for the employees and has been able to offer a global career for them, " Elias added.

Elias urged the government to pay attention to infrastructure development in the countryside and leverage the efficient skill sets of Filipino IT employees.

He assured that AIG strictly adheres to quality and standards and wants to keep the same standards and quality while outsourcing work offshore.

"We recruit degree and diploma holders from Philippine tertiary schools with no or only two years job experience and help set up a specialized language and contact center communication training school," said Elias.