Industry talent dev’t programs to assist teachers, increase competency of students in IT-BPM

26 faculty members trained at PNU are latest BEST, AdEPT Teacher Training graduates

(Manila, Philippines, October 9, 2013) — To address the competency gap in the country’s IT and business process management (IT-BPM) industry, the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) partnered with the academe to implement its two workforce English programs: Basic English Skills Training (BEST) and Advanced English Pre-Employment Training (AdEPT).

Recently, 20 faculty participants and six teachers graduated from the BEST and AdEPT Teacher Training (T3) courses, respectively, in ceremonies held at the Philippine Normal University (PNU). PNU president Dr. Ester Ogena relates that their vision is in line with that of industry’s in creating a source for “high-quality teachers and education managers who can directly inspire and shape the quality of Filipino students and graduates.”

The two English-proficiency programs have already been rolled out in five state universities and colleges and the recent T3 training held in PNU Manila is aimed at further spreading BEST and AdEPT instruction through our country’s future teachers.

BEST and AdEPT T3 will be conducted in several schools in October and November as projects of the Department of Science and Technology’s Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) and the Commission on Higher Education. Among the participating schools are the Technological University of the Philippines, Negros Oriental State University, Batangas State University, and Tarlac State University.

“Our country’s transformation into one of the leading IT-BPM destinations in the world reinforces our continuing drive to hone our skills and capabilities,” says Jomari Mercado, president and CEO of IBPAP. “There are a lot of opportunities to expand the industry and, through programs like these, we will keep on evolving and growing.”

Orly Agawin, one of the master trainers of the AdEPT, says that the programs are designed to give college students an advantage in securing careers in this fast-growing industry. “In essence, the reason behind the program is to lessen the gap between the industry and the academe,” he says.

The BEST program aims to complement the English subject in general education by enhancing the four macro skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. The AdEPT course uses industry-developed courseware and methodology in oral English communication skills, namely, pronunciation, grammar and fluency. Both programs will be taught by faculty members after completing the training and certification processes.

“Before the teachers are able to teach the course to their students, they have to complete the training and a demonstration test,” Agawin says. The AdEPT teacher training lasts five days and is followed by a day for a mock presentation and graduation.

“This only gives them partial certification, however. They will receive the full AdEPT teaching certification when they are able to teach the course,” says Agawin. After completing the required 48 hours in the classroom, teachers under the program are expected to submit documentation on the entire training round for evaluation.

IBPAP executive director for Talent Development Penny Bongato oversees these initiatives, which started in 2008. “At that time, the program did not have a specific structure and was only offered by IBPAP to the academe as extra training. Only when institutions showed an interest in the program did IBPAP select trainers from the industry to teach the course,” explains Bongato. IBPAP has since developed an end-to-end structure to raise the standards of spoken and written English among students.

Master trainer consultant Zoe Diaz De Rivera adds that the academe is the perfect place to start training future industry members. “BEST and AdEPT have an advanced e-learning component that allows students to listen to native speakers, record their voices as they read, test their comprehension and receive immediate feedback. This tool assists teachers by providing a virtual personal tutor for each student,” says Diaz De Rivera.

By 2016, the industry is expected to provide job opportunities to 1.3 million Filipinos. To achieve this, IBPAP is spearheading many development programs, such as the workforce English programs BEST and AdEPT, to develop the future workforce’s competency. The teacher training component of these programs and the partnership with the academe are vital to achieving success in a scale large enough to make a difference.

Graduates of the teacher training for workforce English programs by IBPAP at the Philippine Normal University. Photo shows: Master trainer consultant Zoe Diaz De Rivera (standing, extreme left); PNU Dean of Languages, Linguistics and Literature Dr. Antoinette Montealegre (seated 4th from the left) and IBPAP Education lead Butch Hernandez (seated 5th from the left) with the BEST and AdEPT teachers and trainers of the Philippine Normal University batch.

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) 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 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. Ongoing support is provided through a wide variety of initiatives, including programs for HR development, business development, knowledge sharing, and networking opportunities.