|
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Ched sees need to train teachers, improve grads
The Commission on Higher Education (Ched) 7 yesterday raised the need to enhance lessons on the English language taught in colleges and universities to answer the needs of the growing call or contact center industry.
Peth Fudolig of Ched 7 said “most graduates lack the skill” needed by the industry.
“Communication is important to all not just for those applying in call centers,” he said.
To raise the quality of college and university graduates, Dr. Carlene de la Peña of Ched 7 proposed a training program to improve the skills of English language teachers in over 150 schools in Central Visayas.
E-telecare Global Solutions recruitment specialist Charles Labor pointed out, though, that improvements in the manner in which the English language is taught should begin in the elementary level “so they (students) can enhance it better when they grow up.”
Labor said the firm had tied up with the Provincial Government in training English language teachers in government elementary schools in Cebu. He said E-telecare hopes to continue the said project.
Grace Diaz, Department of Labor and Employment 7 employment division chief, predicted that the growth of the call center and business process outsourcing industry will not only raise demand for proficient English speakers but also for those those who can speak Spanish.
Diaz, Labor and Ched 7 officials were panelists during the Philippine Information Agency kapihan, which tackled the state of the call center industry in Cebu, and how the government and the private sector can address the needs of the sector.
De la Peña said that, so far, only two universities in Cebu have linked with certain call center companies to provide appropriate training programs for their students.
“We (have) tied up with People Support and we are happy with the results because we now know what it feels like to be working in a call center,” said Loida Ator of the University of San Jose Recoletos.
She said that through team teaching and observation, a lot of the university’s graduates have landed a job in the industry.
According to Diaz, data from philjob.net showed that as of April about 19,000 are employed in call centers and related industries in the province.
But Labor said the Contact Center Association of the Philippines has reported a “a prolonged staff shortage in most call centers” with an aggregate need of some 500,000 agents in the next few years. (MMM)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (August 10, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
