Govt makes the call

The WA Government has launched a scheme to capitalise on the growing call centre industry.

The Call Centre Strategy was released by Commerce and Trade Minister Hendy Cowan with the aim of increasing WA’s share of the industry from 5 per cent to 10 per cent by 2010.

The strategy includes a call centre industry incentive scheme and traineeship program and was developed by the Department of Commerce and Trade in conjunction with the industry.

Mr Cowan said employment in the local call centre industry had grown about 20 per cent during the past two years and estimated it employed up to 4,000 people.

“WA has much to offer. We are in an ideal position to deliver services to Asia and the State offers a stable, educated and often multi-lingual work force,’’ he said.

“The call centre industry’s capacity to create employment has generated keen interest from stakeholders such as developers and property managers, regional and local government, recruitment and training agents and technology and telecommunications suppliers.’’