BPO companies can now expect a faster and more efficient recruitment process while applicants can expect the same in finding a job. The Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPA/P) today launched the first national standardized testing program for IT-BPO job applicants.

The program is tagged as the BPA/P National Competency Test. The BNCT is an industry-initiated assessment program to proactively generate industry-ready talents for the Philippine IT-BPO industry. BPAP, with test provider Assessment Analytics, is supported by the Commission on Information and Communications Technology in the BNCT program.

The BNCT is a test similar to the GMAT or NCEE, which standardizes the assessment grading and qualification assessment system for job applicants in the IT-BPO sector.

With the BNCT, students will be tested on basic skills, such as English proficiency, computer literacy, perceptual speed and accuracy and learning ability. They will be given a grade for each competency. It would be left to the individual companies to determine the competency level acceptable for their respective companies. The BNCT will also guide students aspiring to get a job in the BPO industry on the specific competencies they need to improve on.

Developing a standard assessment framework for trainers and students will improve the suitability of the applicants entering the industry. Setting standards for trainers will improve the quality of instruction by defining what skills trainers should have before they face a room full of IT-BPO applicants.

The BNCT will help schools develop and design a curriculum, particularly on campus-based bridging programs, at par with the industry’s standards.

The test will guide students in determining the areas they would need to work on if they are targeting a career in the BPO. Students who want to take the BNCT can just register in their respective universities or authorized testing centers (ATCs). After the 2-hour test, results will be emailed to them. All test-takers, with their results, will be part of a portal that companies can subscribe to.

With the BNCT, the need for first-level testing will be eliminated. BPO companies’ recruitment will be cut down because the selection will be targeted to those who possess the specific ratings that they require.