MANILA, Philippines ? Call center training firm ExcelAsia is looking at training around 300 "near-hires" a month in Bacolod City.

ExcelAsia recently opened an office in Bacolod City, its first expansion after setting up in Cebu and then Metro Manila.

The company provides free training for "near-hires" or applicants who did not pass initially but require remedial training to qualify for employment.

Rita Trillo-Ugarte, ExcelAsia founder and president, said the company's Bacolod site should be able to accommodate applicants in other cities in the South and outside of Cebu.

She is optimistic about getting trainees in Bacolod alone. TeleTech and Convergys -- among the largest call center operators in the country -- have recently expanded into Bacolod and both have hired agents trained by ExcelAsia.

Bacolod was identified by the Commission of Information and Communications (CICT) as one of the 20 "next-wave" cities ready to accommodate investments in the business process outsourcing sector.

According to Bacolod's local government, there are at least five operators located in the city. Aside from Teletech and Convergys, smaller operators Teleperformance, Intervoice and Focus Pacific Communications have also set up facilities in the city.

Trillo-Ugarte added ExcelAsia has plans of opening a training facility in Baguio City, which is north of Metro Manila, later this year.

ExcelAsia said it has trained and deployed more than 16,000 call center trainees since it began in 2005.