Manila, June 25 -- The city government here has partnered with seven companies for the implementation of a near-hire training program in the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector under the Asenso Life Skills Academy initiated by outgoing Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez.

Frances Mae Llamas, head of the city's Department of Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion (D-LEDIP), said on Wednesday the collaboration is the first local government unit (LGU)-led initiative in Western Visayas and Negros Island Region.

"The initiative aims to bridge the skills gap in the BPO sector by providing targeted, job-ready training for near hires," she said.

The partnership, considered a significant breakthrough for Bacolod's digital workforc...