The Philippine business process outsourcing (BPO) sector expects to earn at least $11 billion and employ over one million people as it marks its tenth year in 2010 but it also needs to meet fresh challenges in the onset of a new decade.

“This is a big year for the BPO industry as it signifies the 10th year anniversary of call centers in the country,” stressed TeleDevelopment Services (TDS) President Jon Kaplan. “As we approach this milestone, it is necessary to evaluate and carefully map our plans for our continued development. We need to resolve training challenges for a more specialized workforce to addressing the increasing demand for high-value and value-added services.”

While voice services spurred the growth of the BPO industry in the country, complex services known as knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) will be the sector’s next revenue earners in the next decade, he reckoned. Hence, all allied sectors of BPOs should prepare and develop talent, technology, and infrastructure to meet new needs.

TDS, in coordination with marketing communications firm TeamAsia, is organizing the 4th Annual Call Center and BPO Training Convention. The Vision of the Next Decade: Conquering Uncharted Ground in March 11 to 12 at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

Major speakers from industry leaders and aligned sectors will share their views and expertise on the new challenges BPOs will face, as well as the next trends and opportunities that will emerge.

Invited speakers include Celeste Ilagan, former Board of Investments Executive Director now AVP for Marketing and External Affairs of Sutherland Global Services representing the industry; Vincent Fabella, President of Jose Rizal University and Philippine Association of Collegiate Schools of Business, representing the academe; John Philip Orbeta, Vice President for Human Resources of Ayala Corporation, representing talent and leadership management.