Convergys, one of the top call center companies in the world is now in Tacloban City on a recruitment campaign called a Job Fair. Based on data from its website, Convergys headquarters is located in Cincinnati Ohio, USA and employs more than 63,000 people in the US, Canada, Latin America, Europe, The Middle East and Asia. Its revenues in 2003 reached $ 2.3 billion. In the Philippines it has committed to invest nearly P1 billion for its calk centers by 2005.

What are call centers? These are physical locations where calls are placed or received in high volume for the purpose of sales, customers a service, technical support, research and other. In this set-up calls made by US clients are answered by agents of Convergys in the Philippines using modern telephone and internet technology.

News on what Convergys plans to do in Leyte have been sketchy. The company has not announced when they hope to start operating here and how many employees they tend to recruit for employment in Leyte .

Without those type of information we can only assume that they will, initially at least, bring their recruits to their call centers in Cebu and Manila . If they do this then they won't be helping the economy of Eastern Visayas that much.

Locating a center here will have positive effects on related industries like communications, transportation, and food.

Let me share with you some insights into the major problem confronting the call center industry in the Philippines . And this is: Lack of “hireable” applicants.

Based on a press release made by an offer of the Department of Trade and Industry last year the demand for “seats” in call centers in such that 60,000 new “agents” or workers in call centers are needed for 2005. Since at best only 5% of applicants speak good English and are “hireable” around 1,200.000 applicants are needed this year nationwide. This is going to be a huge problems for their centers. Experts are saying this need can't be met.

The word is Convergys will hire 900 employees and they will recruit this when their in Tacloban City from April 11 to 14, 2005. If they want to hire this number within 4 days they need around 18,000 applicants. It will be tough getting this number. They would have to process some 4,500 applicants per day.

The main factor that can attract applicants is that starting salaries are at P15, 000 per month.

As I mentioned last year in a workshop which prepared the Information and Communications Technology component of the Regional Development Plan, these call centers will be here soon primarily because they need to be near their sources of employees. Call centers employ staff who naturally prefer to be closer to home. This way they don't have to incur high living expenses.

Moreover, there are many colleges and universities in this region which can produce the kind of employees they need.

The emergence of call centers as a major employer in this region is certain. My prediction is that we will have a couple of them in or near Tacloban City and Ormoc City within the next two years.

Our broadband internet connections are almost at par with those of Cebu and Manila . Redundancies or back-ups can be installed to meet non-stop provision of services.

The Provincial Government of Leyte in taking a step in the right direction by offering its facilities and assistance to Convergys and others which will soon be here.

Call Centers in Eastern Visayas ? It is as certain as the sun rising in the morning.