By James Ratemo
Kenya’s Business Process and Outsourcing (BPO) industry has received a boost after an international trainer and certifier pitched camp in Nairobi.
The world’s largest Standards and Credentialing body, BPO Certification Institute, Inc (BCI), in collaboration with Cambridge College, will now offer Kenyans the most advanced Call Centre training programmes, and 16 of the world’s finest BPO Certification programmes.
Witnessing the launch in Nairobi, Ministry of Information PS Dr Bitange Ndemo said growth in the BPO industry had been hampered by the lack of trained personnel.
"Already we have laid up-to-date infrastructure by laying undersea fibre optic cables. But the missing link has been trained personnel," he said.
Global recognition
"With this training, Kenya can comfortably compete globally for BPO business," he said.
He said his ministry had requested Treasury to fund the BPO business park to attract global investors in the BPO industry.
"Infrastructure is here. Our competitiveness has improved. We only need to improve standards and ethics to attract the world market," he said.
BCI President, Rajiv Gupta, said Kenya had the potential to rival India and Philippines in the BPO sector due to her improved ICT infrastructure and a wide base of English speaking youth.
"From my international experience, I know many global firms are eyeing to put base in Kenya, but are only reluctant due to insufficient trained manpower.
With training Kenya will become a preferred hub for many international BPO companies," said Gupta.
The existing BPOs have been training their own staff.
