IBPAP, TESDA establish training partnership with Korea for animators, game developers

(Manila, Philippines, March 11, 2013) — In a bid to boost the Philippines’ digital outsourcing sectors, the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) established a partnership with the government of Korea to train Filipino animators and game developers.

The training program was sponsored by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) under the International Cooperation Program of the Government of Korea.

Animators Nelson Udaundo and Cynthia Javier and game developers Joie Sales and Joyce Macaspac trained in Gyeonggi-do, Paju, South Korea for almost two months. The participants took specialist courses in design and construction, and skills on software program education. They also completed workshops on industry-specific skills such as graphics modeling, texturing and lighting, game art as well as programs such as 3D Max, Unity 3D, Java, and other e-learning packages. Udaundo, Javier, Sales, and Macaspac were chosen from a group of recommended and certified assessors and trainers of TESDA.

“The country’s animation and gaming sectors carry a large potential for the Philippine information technology and business process management industry. By training our future leaders, they can strive to lead the next generation in building up the Philippines as the next prime destination for animation and gaming-related services,” said Grace Dimaranan, president of the Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc. (ACPI).

According to Alvin Juban, president of the Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP), partnerships such as this will allow the animation and game development sectors to market to potential clients as well as Filipino talent here and abroad. “We hope to have our game developers and animators penetrate the global market and take a bigger slice of the global market. Immersing them in a successful and technologically-adept country such as Korea have surely given them the skills and training that they needed,” Juban said.

International research firm MarketsandMarkets reports that the global animation and gaming market is expected to grow from US$122.20 billion in 2010 to US$242.93 billion by 2016. India still

dominates the industry with 40 percent of the estimated US$1.5 billion global animation and game development market. Korea comes in second with 15 percent share, followed by the Philippines with 10 percent share of the global market.

“Our industry is similar to Korea’s in many respects. Both industries practice Western-style animation having had decades of experience in Western production projects as well as setbacks,” said Udaundo. “But we can learn from how the Koreans brought back their industry to life through the creation of original content, which led them to carve out a respectable niche in the global animation suppliers market.”

With public-private partnership initiatives being pursued in several locations to drive the growth of the Philippine animation and gaming sectors, ACPI and GDAP are working closely with IBPAP to lead their respective sectors in conquering the global market.

About the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP)
The Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) is the enabling association for the information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) and global in-house center (GIC) industry in the Philippines. IBPAP serves as the one-stop information and advocacy gateway for the industry. With approximately 300 industry and support-industry members, including five associations—the Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc., Contact Center Association of the Philippines, Game Developers Association of the Philippines, Healthcare Information Management Outsourcing Association of the Philippines, and Philippine Software Industry Association—IBPAP plays a pivotal role in sustaining rapid growth of the IT-BPM and GIC industry by working to ensure an enduring supply of high-quality labor, supporting service innovation, and providing country visibility.

IBPAP assists investors in setting up operations easily and quickly in the Philippines. Relevant research, introductions to key government and industry officials, and a series of briefings at each step of the investment process ensure a seamless development process. On-going support is provided through a wide variety of initiatives, including programs for HR development, business development, and on-going knowledge sharing and networking opportunities.

About the Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc.
The Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc. (ACPI) is a non-stock and non-profit organization whose member companies specialize mainly in, but not limited to, either 2D or 3D animation. It is an organization recognized and supported by the Philippine government whose aim is to promote the animation industry globally with the intention of creating an identity for the Philippines to be considered amongst the preferred countries that service the animation industry.

About the Game Developers Association of the Philippines
Established in 2007, the Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP) is a leading trade association in the Philippines that represents and promotes the country’s game development industry. Its members create and publish interactive games and entertainment content for various platforms. GDAP is supported by various affiliate member organizations including schools and universities, game talent agencies, publishers, as well as retailers, all of whom play key roles in the country’s thriving game industry. GDAP is a member of the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines.