Sitel Academy empowers BPO workforce of the future
WHILE there is no shortage of job vacancies in the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector, filling them up remains a challenge as many graduates and workers lack the necessary skills BPO firms are looking for.
Sitel Philippines has long been responding to this challenge with its Sitel Academy, a pioneering free BPO upskilling program for students, nearhires, and individuals who are usually deprived of good career opportunities.
Launched in 2007, Sitel Academy has a curriculum that focuses on developing well-rounded skills, touching on both technical and non-technical core skills like BPO fundamentals, communications, empathic listening and logical thinking.
“Sitel Academy helps bridge the job skills gap or the skills that employers are looking for and the training and experience that candidates possess. We provide free intensive technical and skills training for the disadvantaged and marginalized sector of the workforce,” director of Sitel Academy and Sitel Philippines’ talent acquisition Rowel Villalobos said.
To expand its reach, Sitel Academy has formed partnerships with over 70 local government units, foundations, training centers, sororities and educational institutions that include Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), Far Eastern University, Rizal Technological University, Tarlac State University, University of Baguio, among others. It is also working with government organizations like the Department of Labor and Employment and Public Employment Service Office.
Since launching, Sitel Academy has trained over 45,000 jobseekers.
In 2022, out of the 16,700 people it trained, 6,045 with 20 percent or 8,000 of them ending up being hired.
According to Villalobos, Sitel Academy is open to any potential BPO workforce talent, regardless of whether or not they will pursue a career in Sitel Group.
“Our genuine people program not only serves our business goals and objectives, but also the interests and welfare of the communities where Sitel Philippines operates,” he said.