Increasing demand for ICT workers benefit Filipino youth

The demand for ICT workers has increased with the mushrooming of companies specializing in offshore outsourcing for application development and call center services in the country. In a significant finding by the Giga Information Group and Software Outsourcing Research last year, the Philippines was touted as the world's best offshore alternative to India and has the potential of becoming the call center hub of Asia.

 

This study was verified by William Ferguson, Asian marketing executive of Citibank, saying that the Philippines still has untapped potential as a destination for outsourcing. Citibank has been doing business in the country since 1902.

 

The Philippines can compete with more progressive countries by relying on its knowledge workers to lure foreign investments which will eventually rev up the country's economy. Knowledge workers are professionals who use IT to further enhance their skills and services. The country's knowledge workers are spearheaded by the youth who have greater potential to initiate change and improvement for our country.

 

As knowledge workers, the Filipino youth can become "Global Pinoys" or Filipinos working in other nations whose capabilities are at par or even better than their foreign counterparts. With eight million contract workers in 162 countries, or roughly 10 percent of the present population, the country's overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have contributed US$6.2 billion in 2001's GNP — making them one of the biggest income earners.