Published: July 18, 2008 12:12 am            

N.E.W. Customer Service Co. bringing 460 jobs to Valley

TERRE HAUTE — A company that provides customer support in the consumer electronic, computer and wireless industries is expanding its work-at-home program into Terre Haute.

Virginia-based N.E.W. Customer Service Co. Inc. announced Thursday it will create up to 480 customer service support jobs in west-central Indiana over the next three years, depending on applicant flow. All employees would work from home.

Employees would provide customer service and technical troubleshooting to DIRECTV customers. The base pay rate is $9.50 per hour, with opportunities to advance. While the jobs do not have benefits such as health insurance, full-time employees are offered six paid days off.

Workers would train for six weeks at Ivy Tech Community College-Wabash Valley Region.

N.E.W. provides extended service plans, buyer protection services and product support, serving more than 150 million consumers worldwide.

“We did a lot of research and looked at more than 200 communities nationwide,” said Mitch Carroll, NEW vice president for resource planning. “The work force in Terre Haute has a strong aptitude for technology and good customer service skills, things we have to have to locate in a community.”

Also, economic development leaders here are progressive in their thinking and welcomed the jobs and opportunities NEW can offer, Carroll said.

NEW work-at-home employees could live anywhere, but Carroll anticipated most would reside in Terre Haute or surrounding counties because the training is provided at Ivy Tech here.

While the base pay is $9.50 per hour, he said employees can qualify for incentives, depending on performance. Also, employees will receive free DIRECTV.

DIRECTV is the nation’s leading satellite TV service with more than 17 million customers.

Steve Witt, president of the Terre Haute Economic Development Corp., said new jobs for the community is good news.

“Given the state of the national economy, to have a positive announcement like this and new job opportunities is certainly welcome,” Witt said.

Also, a stay-at-home job could be very appealing with the current price of gasoline, Witt said.

While anyone can apply, those who might be especially interested include college students, stay-at-home moms or dads and retirees, Carroll said. Schedules are flexible, and employees can work split shifts.

David Decker, president of the Vigo County Commissioners, said when a company such as NEW can expand anywhere and chooses Vigo County, “It shows that our community is doing things right.”

Employees in the NEW work-at-home program must have a personal computer; a high speed Internet connection (DSL is okay, but broadband is better, Carroll said); a land line telephone and a corded headset. Wireless Internet service can’t be used.

The personal computer must have the Windows operating system.

Those interested in applying for positions with NEW may attend recruiting events Tuesday and Wednesday at the Ivy Tech Community College Center for Workforce Development in the Vigo County Industrial Park. The address is 1700 E. Industrial Drive.

Recruiting will take place in Room W100. On Tuesday, the times are 9 to 10:30 a.m.; noon to 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 to 8 p.m.

On Wednesday, recruiting will take place from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Interviews begin soon and the first six-week, company-paid training program begins Sept. 8 at Ivy Tech’s Center for Workforce Development.

For more information about career opportunities as a customer care representative with NEW, or to apply for a job online, visit www.newhomebasedccr.com.

Founded in 1983, the privately held company operates eight U.S.-based call centers and employs more than 650 home-based customer care associates across the country.

In June, the 25-year-old company inked a deal with Indianapolis-based H.H. Gregg to launch a product replacement and service protection plan for major appliances, consumer electronics and notebooks computers.

Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.

        

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