BPOs to generate 84,000 jobs

MANILA, Philippines - Call center agents are expected to be the most in demand workers in the country this year.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday reported that the BPO industry is set to generate at least 84,000 employment opportunities for Filipino jobseekers this year.

“The BPO industry is estimated to open 84,000 jobs for call center agents and medical transcriptionists this year alone,” DOLE-Labor Communications Office (LCO) director Nicon Fameronag disclosed.

To fill the vacancies, Fameronag said the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has allocated P20 million for free English language communication training for those aspiring to work as call center agents.

Fameronag said that TESDA has also vowed to ensure 100 percent absorption or hiring for those who undergo the free training from TESDA.

“Aside from being computer literate and having a good command of the English language, one needs a medical background to become a medical transcriptionist. It’s a highly specialized job that requires training,” Fameronag said.

Earlier, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the BPO industry is likely to remain as the major job generator this year and concerned government agencies are closely working to ensure sufficient manpower for the sector.

The BPO industry employs more than 600,000 workers nationwide and the sector is still expected to grow in the coming years.