The Asia Foundation Upskills Filipinos through the Skills2Work Customer Experience (CX) Program

Skills2Work launched its pilot program in the Philippines on October 10, training a concentrated group of learners from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

As various industries recover from the pandemic, retrenched workers and career shifters look to start or pursue a career in Customer Experience (CX). Coupled with the increased demand for CX skills in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry, Skills2Work works to address the gap between the available talent and the increasing market demand. The program also aims to prepare individuals to re-enter the workforce by equipping them with essential skills for in-demand roles in the digital economy.

Learners of the program who, hindered by a lack of skills or flexible working arrangements to obtain gainful employment, now have a better chance to join the thriving BPO industry through their CX skills and technical knowledge.

At the launch, The Asia Foundation Senior Director for International Development Cooperation Anthea Mulakala, said, “Through Skills2Work, we partner with leading businesses to co-design and implement this upskilling program that integrates industry, curriculum certifications, technology, and expertise to provide the professional, technical, and business skills needed for entry-level roles across a variety of sectors.”

Wendy Johnstone, Chief Operating Officer for Zendesk APAC, said that Zendesk will be looking to support Skills2Work graduates by exploring employment opportunities with their customers and partners. Expressing her excitement for the pioneering batch and the Skills2Work program, she reiterated their focus on the program’s positive impact on the learners’ careers.

Skills2Work learners from the Philippines will complete the program by November 2022. The Malaysian pilot cohort of Skills2Work is set to launch in November 2022.

Skills2Work is part of The Asia Foundation’s Future Skills Alliance – a broad coalition of partners working together to deliver future skills at scale.

Visit the Skills2Work and Future Skills Alliance websites for more information.