Preparing a tech-savvy workforce for the BPO sector

THE DEPARTMENT of Computing at the University of the West Indies, Mona-Western Jamaica Campus (UWI WJC) provides opportunities for students to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in information technology (BSc IT). This degree provides a solid foundation in IT systems and applications. It prepares them for several careers in computing, including computer systems administration, database administration, network administration, information systems analysts security analysis, IT management, and software engineering. In addition, the department has been engaged with the St James community to build the capacity of teachers to deliver computer science content in high schools. We have also hosted several computing workshops for students in the region to help develop key skills and prepare them to do well at their assessments.

The department is excited about the prospects for the BPO sector, especially given that by the nature of their business, their operations are driven by significant information technology infrastructure that requires human resources to be optimised, improved, managed and secure. These skills are key elements of the BSc. IT curriculum delivered at the UWI WJC, and we look forward to supplying talent even as new firms seek to offer new services, such as software development, remote systems support and cloud-based solutions.

Industry leaders worldwide agree that as the BPO sector grows, greater levels of automation, innovation, and unified systems infrastructure with more complex interactions and tools are required. The necessary skills to provide the platform for the needs of the expanding BPO sector in Jamaica are developed and honed by the graduates of the Department of Computing.