Automation to create add’l jobs for IT-BPM

The automation of the information technology-business process management (IT-BPM) industry will create the need for midskilled jobs and high-skilled services, industry groups said.

Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) president Rey Untal said while experts are predicting that the local workforce is in danger of being replaced by automation, it would also enable the sector to produce mid-skilled and high-skilled jobs

“What is often overlooked about automation is that while it is expected to impact certain jobs in the sector, this will also enable the IT-BPM industry to move up the value chain, resulting in an increase in mid-skilled jobs and high-skilled services,” Untal said.

Contact Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP) chairman Benedict Hernandez said only the simple type of jobs would be lost, as the industry shifts to cater to higher-skilled tasks.

“In 2022, we forecast the simple type of work to employ 40,000 less people,” Hernandez said.

He added the country is seen to generate 70,000 or more midskilled or complex-skilled jobs from the shift.

“We’re generating jobs, but the kind of jobs we’re doing and the kind of work is becoming less simple,” Hernandez said.

Untal said it is important to continue discussions on the effects of automation to the IT-BPM industry in order to prepare for its impact.

“That is why it is important for us to continue the conversation at the summit, where we have experts flying in from all over the globe to discuss the impact of technology and the future of the industry in great detail,” Untal said.

The IBPAP and CCAP will hold the 9th International IT-BPM Summit (IIS) in November to further discuss the effects of automation.

The summit aims to extend the conversation on the impact of technology on the entire IT-BPM space – from contact centers to the budding upstart sectors in information technology, software development, game development and healthcare information management.

“The conference will also serve as the launch pad for the new country brand and narrative – a top priority of the Roadmap 2022’s high impact programs on country marketing – and to continue the Philippine IT-BPM industry’s thrust to solidify its position as one of the top players in the global marketplace and highlight the country’s competitive edge on unparalleled customer experience and worldclass talents,” IBPAP said.

“The Philippines is a global leader in the IT-BPM space but we are not done growing,” IBPAP vice chair Catherine Salceda-Ileto said.

She added the group sees opportunities to turn disruptive technological headwinds into advantageous differentiating factors for the Philippines.