Tata Consultancy Services has joined hands with STI Education Services Group (STI ESG), a Philippines-based chain of learning institutes, for training Filipino students in technology.
The training will be based on curriculum designed by the Indian IT major.
Analysts see the move as part of the Tata Group company’s strategy to build capacity in the Philippines, a country which has become a strong player in the back-office space.
STI Education Systems Group, which owns STI ESG, said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, that the two parties signed a memorandum of agreement earlier this month whereby TCS will design curriculum for students interested in pursuing training in business process management.
India’s largest software services company will also conduct a ‘Train The Trainer Program’ to acclimatise STI’s faculty members on TCS designed courses.
STI ESG runs 65 self-branded colleges and 20 STI education centres. Of these, 26 college campuses are wholly-owned, while 39 are operated by franchisees. The company also runs four wholly-owned educational centres.
A spokesperson for TCS did not comment on the development. Financial details of the agreement could not be ascertained. “These students, who will gain from the TCS-designated courses, will also serve as Tatas human capital investment for the future as the courseware itself speeds up the training programme, thus presenting a better chance of employment in the company,” STI said.
A recent study jointly conducted by Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India and KPMG said India was losing around 70 per cent of all incremental voice and call centre business to competitors such as the Philippines and Eastern Europe.
A number of Indian firms have reportedly set up substantial operations in the Philippines, which has a large pool of well-educated, English-speaking, talented and employable graduates.