MANILA, Philippines--The Australian market for business process outsourcing (BPO) operations is ripe for picking, industry experts said Wednesday.

Citing a study by the consulting group IDC published in late 2007, the Business Process Association of the Philippines (BPAP) said the BPO business opportunity in Australia could grow from $2.4 billion in 2006 to $3.8 billion in 2010.

The study released, by IDC for the BPO firm Accenture, predicted increased outsourcing in human resources and training, finance and accounting, procurement and customer care.

Among the key sectors, the human resource services market in Australia is estimated to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of nine percent to $1.591 billion by 2010. Finance and administration outsourcing will grow at a CAGR of 12 percent to $2.47 billion, customer care segment at 15 percent to $833 million, and procurement outsourcing at a CAGR of 18 percent to $354 million.

“But we cannot serve the demand if the talent is not there, so we need to improve education and training programs to provide a steady supply of talent pool, which is the main area of concern,” BPAP talent development director Jamea Garcia said at a conference of BPO stakeholders and experts.

She said programs by such companies as the Netopia chain of Internet cafés, which recently partnered with Australian e-learning company Drake Training Systems Ltd. to offer the Englishlink training program for call center applicants, will help boost the labor pool.

“English training is very important and we are happy to have partnered with a company like Englishlink to help address the supply issue. We hope there will be more like this,” said George Tan, president of Netopia operator Digital Paradise Inc. Riza T. Olchondra; with editing by INQUIRER.net