Sarah Matalam, of the Davao-based JIB e-Academy, said the fair, dubbed “Career Gateways 2007,” will be the first among BPO firms or call centers in Mindanao. She told MindaNews BPO firms from Manila and Cebu will showcase job opportunities on October 17 in Davao City's SM Entertainment Center and on October 19 in General Santos City's KCC Convention Hall. Among the firms that signified participation are: Six-eleven Global Services, E-telecare , Teletech, Sykes, Viventes, e-PLDT Ventus, Teleperformance, Advanced Contact Solutions and Callbox. Matalam said they are also eyeing a similar fair in Cagayan de Oro in the future. Organizers have invited at least 20 colleges and universities in Southern Mindanao and from nearby provinces to visit the fair. Matalam said students and walk-in applicants who are planning to take a "bold step" into BPO careers should see for themselves what the companies offer. The fairs, Matalam said, will also be a venue to clarify some issues about call center jobs. The fairs will also offer lectures, not only on business opportunities in the call center industry, but also informative topics on BPO careers, including perceptions that call center agents are merely “glorified telephone receptionists." The JIBe-Academy operates a call center school, language institute, business process outsourcing, and customer services. The call center industry is still the fastest growing industry in the country with 114 call centers all over the country as of 2006. (Walter I. Balane/MindaNews)
