The growing demand for competent Business Process Outsourcing manpower supply in Cebu has prompted a Manila-based company to set up a training and recruitment facility here that offers free training opportunity.
Staff Right Solutions, Inc., is so far the first company in Cebu that provides free-of-charge training for BPO candidate employees, this is to help the call center companies get an immediate supply of manpower needs.
"Cebu is growing, a lot of BPOs are here," said Len Guevarra-Tagal, the company's training and recruitment manager.
The firm, which has been operating in Manila for three years now, has realized the need for Cebu to have a training and recruitment facility that will aid call center companies in hiring proficient call center agents.
According to Tagal, the company does not earn from students, but it is working closely with BPO firms that are in dire need for manpower support, which is a constant requirement.
"Communication skills are the biggest challenge for BPOs in the Philippines. Although we are English communicators, the American [conversational] English is different," she said.
The company offers free training on communication skills, American culture and geography, customer service expertise, among others.
In Manila, the StaffRight Solutions is working with about 10 BPO clients, and one bank customer for customer service training expertise, and leadership training.
On the average, the company provides 50 to 60 people to its clients every month. BPO client pays per head for every successful endorsement.
The Cebu facility, which is located at A.S. Fortuna Street, in Mandaue City, accommodates about 15 people at one time. It accepts any interested trainee for free, provided that they have the minimum qualifications required by call center firms, such as completing at least second year college.
Full training will last for 10 days. But, those that need to refine their skills, Tagal said "we do not limit number of hours, some can re-attend trainings."
"Cebu has a highly talented pool of potential call center employees and it is our goal to provide Cebu with a quality recruitment placement service to help find the right call center job. We offer both placement services as well as free call center training to ensure that our candidates have the best possible opportunities with our growing list of top call centers in Cebu," she said.
In Manila, the company is working with call center giants, like eTelecare, Convergys, among others.
Cebu Investments Promotions Center (CIPC) earlier said that with the popularity of Cebu as the attractive hub for BPO companies, manpower demand for call center agents, and other BPO companies is seen to triple starting this year.
To date, there are now a total of 36 foreign direct investors (FDIs) in IT and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) operations, excluding the 23 call center firms. Combined, these companies employ over 20 thousand workers already.