Western Cape finance MEC Lynne Brown this weekend recommitted support for the contact centre industry and stated it is a key component of the province`s economic development strategy.
Speaking at the first annual Western Cape Contact Centre Awards on Saturday night, Brown said the contact centre and business process outsourcing industry are key parts of the Provincial Micro-Economic Development Strategy.
"It is also a sector which has been identified by President Mbeki as one of great promise, and as such, is receiving national priority," Brown said.
She added that the industry in the Western Cape employs around 13 000 people, with over 2 000 new jobs created in the past year, and R380 million in new foreign direct investment was invested in this industry in 2004.
"We believe that with the right interventions in place, the industry could create a further 20 000 direct jobs and attract over R1 billion in investment over the next five years, with thousands more jobs envisaged in ancillary and support industries."
Brown also singled out Luke Mills and his organisation, CallingtheCape, for the role it has played in developing the contact centre industry in the province.
"You may be assured that your provincial government, through ongoing support for CallingtheCape, will remain a fully engaged partner in the ongoing development of this industry," Brown said.
The first annual Western Cape call centre industry awards recognised individuals and organisations that have made the most outstanding contributions to the industry.
Judge and CallingtheCape chairperson Tracey Ellison, said: "The most exciting thing for the judges was to see how much innovation is happening in the industry, from unique technology developments, to people solutions and training interventions. Across the spectrum, we saw a great deal of entrepreneurial flair."
Around 120 entries were received for the awards, which recognise the Cape call centre industry`s best companies and best people.
A special judges` award was presented to newcomer Call Connexions. "This is a group of entrepreneurs who have left the security of a corporate environment and taken huge personal risks to start up a new company," said CallingtheCape executive director Luke Mills.
The Western Cape winners are now finalists in the national awards to be presented by the South African Call Centre Community in August.
The winners of the various categories are:
Emmanuels Agent of the Year: Paul Shubangu of Sanlam
Fusion Supervisor of the Year: Colette Muller of Sanlam
Dialogue Group Manager of the Year: Justine Webb of Dialogue
ATIO Large Contact Centre of the Year: Old Mutual
G326 Small Medium Contact Centre of the Year: Innofin
Spescom International Call Centre of the Year: Fusion Outsourcing
Old Mutual Solution Provider of the Year: Emmanuels Advance
T-Systems Innovation Award: Lufthansa Global TeleSales
Kelly In-house Support Award: Sanlam Life
Judges` Award: Call Connexions
Ask Afrika Customer Delight Index: Woolworths Financial Services
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