Stronger IT-BPO collaboration with gov’t needed to get US$25B goal

Manila, Philippines – The local IT-BPO industry should have a stronger collaboration with the government to achieve its US$25 billion revenue target by 2016, the Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) said.

BPAP said it aims to strengthen collaboration with government and the education sector to help sustain the development of the IT-BPO (business process outsourcing) industry and address the skills-jobs mismatch in the country.

Raymond Lacdao, BPAP industry affairs executive director, said the US$25 billion revenue target will translate to a threefold increase in IT-BPO employment in the Philippines within five years as talent management, including certification and outreach initiatives, has become a top priority.

“Support from the government is a big step towards meeting the industry’s US$25-billion expansion by 2016. If we reach this goal, the industry could employ up to 1.3 million Filipinos and generate 12.5% of the gross domestic product,” Lacdao said.

Lacdao explained that after experiencing rapid growth over the past few years, the industry is looking for ways to sustaining its talent supply.

“We need a robust pool of skillful and motivated workers to spur further growth,” he said.

Lacdao said that among the top skills needed in the industry are leadership, English language skills, strategic thinking, comprehension, and teamwork, among others.

The BPAP executive added that talent is among the key issues that will be discussed during the Third International Outsourcing Summit (IOS), a high-level meeting of global outsourcing leaders and experts scheduled on October 11 and 12, 2011 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Manila.