Decline in English proficiency seen among RP graduates

by Lovely Laudette D. Gamba

Butuan City (24 April) — Recent survey reveals that there is a decline in English proficiency among Filipino graduates. A survey among Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) employers reveals that few graduates were absorbed in the industry because of poor English communication skills, low self-confidence and absence of technical skills.

A consultant from the Employers Confederation of the Philippines noted that only a small percentage of college graduates every year gets absorbed in the workforce because they flunk job interviews.

Based on data presented, on 2003, only 19 percent of the country’s 53,000 public school teachers in English passed the Self Assessment Test for English (SATE) conducted by DepEd. In 2004, only 5 percent of high school graduates could speak English well enough to proceed to college.

The present situation could setback the country’s competitiveness in the global market and make employers think twice before hiring Filipino workers.

“Decline of English must be reversed to preserve premier competitive advantage of Filipino workforce”, says the American Chamber of Commerce.

Experts projected that out of 380,000 fresh graduates, only 12,000 will qualify to work in call centers. This translates to 1-5 percent acceptance rate and 30-40 percent attrition rate.

Projections are that call centers would need 30,000 new positions this year. Given the above scenario this could mean a manpower shortage of 15,000. If this trend continues, the call center industry will have to screen 3 million applicants in order to fill the projected need for 30,000 call center agents.

To address the projected manpower shortage in the BPO industry, the government comes up with several initiatives. Among this is the Training-Cum-Employment Scheme for the Business Process Outsourcing (TRACES-BPO). This is a project adopted by DOLE-Caraga just recently.

Other interventions adopted by Caraga region include retooling of teachers and academic institutions, short-term training for graduating students and setting-up of speech labs in universities and colleges.

“Given the employment opportunities available in BPOs particularly the call centers, there is a need for the academe to undertake and adopt curricular reforms”, says Atty, Jalilo Dela Torre of DOLE, Cordillera Administrative Region.

Philippines can be a runaway world leader in the BPO industry if English proficiency among graduates could be achieved. This coupled by the Filipino’s ability to interpret different cultural nuances or multicultural adaptability. (PIA-13)