IBM earmarks P4 million for IT course development

To help the Information Communication Technology (ICT) industry in Cebu attain its maximum capability, IBM Philippines has earmarked a P4 million budget to help universities and colleges develop useful curriculum to arm graduates with the proper ICT skills.

"We keep on strengthening our academic initiatives to start building a pipeline of qualified ICT professionals in Cebu," said James G. Velasquez IBM Philippines president and country manager.

In a press conference, Velasquez said the company initially expects about 500 students enrolled in ICT related courses to benefit from the program.

This program he said is part of the company's commitment to help Cebu further establish itself as the ICT hub in the Philippines.

Early this year, IBM through its past president and country manager Joaquin Quintos, signed a partnership agreement with the Cebu provincial government for help develop a solid ICT workforce development projects, to push the province take off and push the ICT industry's potential.

The P4 million-budget will initially involve the development of curriculum and technology training programs in large universities here.

"Aside from cost, infrastructure and availability of skilled-manpower remain top priorities for investors," he revealed.

It will sustain Cebu's attractiveness to ICT related investments, especially the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry, among others. This initiative would also help people get equipped and be prepared for any work they will be required to do in ICT or tourism industries.

This already includes a broad sub-sector in BPO industry such as call centers, back-office offshore operations, software development, Research and Development, among others.

IBM, a global company, chose Cebu as its pilot area to implement its workforce development program in the country because of its potential to accommodate multi-billion dollars outsourcing, call center, and other ICT related investments.

The company has recognized that these industries further require a qualified workforce that is readily capable of meeting their requirements. IBM further believes that the workforce development program is the best solution for the would-be employees.

He said availability of skilled-manpower or availability of armed ICT graduates is now the top priority of most ICT related investors, aside from in place infrastructure and concerns in cost of doing business.

Sustainability of highly-skilled ICT related manpower has becoming a concern among investors, and even the start-up ICT companies here, because of brain-drain issue, and inability of universities to provide ready-to-be-employed graduates.

Most of the graduates who have degrees on ICT related courses, industry sources said still have to be trained by companies, because most acquire their diplomas without the strong foundation on the real field protocol.

IBM recently opened its expanded Cebu office at the Asia Town IT Park to signal the company's commitment to provide closer support service to its clients, as well as further strengthen its name in the Southern Philippine market, while competition has become stiffer.

"It's also a reconfirmation of our commitment to Cebu especially with our clients here who have been a significant contributor of the company's growth," said Velasquez.