by Gigi Dumallig

TABUK, Kalinga (30 October) -- Moving towards the government's goal of developing the call center industry in the country, the President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo - Training for Work Scholarship Program (PGMA-TWSP) was launched in the province last October 18.

According to Julie Ann Banganan, Provincial Director of the Technical Educational Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the program aims to generate more employment by training aspiring call center agents using the Pro-Speak as an assessment tool.

The Pro-Speak is an 8-15 minutes English proficiency test done through actual telephone conversation, she said.

As an initial activity, Banganan said an orientation was conducted last October 10 at the Father Miguel Veys Hall of St. William's Parish where 38 out of the 60 applicants attended. Of the 38 who attended the seminar, 22 took the examination, Banganan said adding that those who were not able to undergo the test could get in touch with Provincial Government through Geronimo Dona-al, Public Employment Service Officer (PESO) at the Provincial Planning Office for proper instruction.

Banganan disclosed that applicants should be at least 15 to 55 years and are willing to be assessed through the Pro-Speak.

"If an examinee's score ranges from 70-80, he is considered hirable and could be referred to any Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) company. But if the score is between 69-55, he will be considered near hire, meaning there are still competencies that need to be addressed, and he has to undergo the 100 hours training by accredited training centers", she explained. As part of the program, each trainee will be given P5,000 coupon for his training fee.

However, Banganan clarified that undergoing the training and passing the Pro-Speak is not an automatic guarantee for employment in call centers. She explained that this is because BPOs have different company policies and requirements. But through the program, she said applicants will be acquiring the needed skills and thus have better chances of getting hired.

The training is also an opportunity in preparation for the provincial jobs fair to be conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) this coming November.