N.E.W. Customer Service Companies, Inc., a privately held, independent, third-party administrator of extended service plans, buyer protection services and product support programs, has announced plans to hire as many as 200 customer service employees in Central Louisiana to support a work-at-home call center program.
N.E.W. (National Electronic Warranties), a Virginia-based company, delivers costomer care and technical troubleshooting to retailers around the world for such products as computers, consumer electronics, home improvement products, jewelry and watches, major and small appliances, satellite televisions, sporting goods and fitness equipment, toys and wireless devices.
"Fort Polk was one of the main reasons why the company selected Central Louisiana because it provides the company with an untapped workforce, said Gov. Bobby Jindal at Thursday morning's press conference to announce the new jobs. "Ultimately, this project will create flexible, home-based jobs that will result in a better quality of life for many stationed at Fort Polk."
"N.E.W. will be hiring for the customer care positions immediately with the first virtual training program beginning in September," said Mitch Carroll, a vice president for the company. Carroll also thanked the Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance, the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce, Fort Polk, the Governor and the Louisiana Economic Development, naming each as key contributors in the process of bringing N.E.W. to Central Louisiana.
Also on hand at the press conference were Fort Polk Garrison Commander Col. Francis Burns and four Army spouses, each representing a Fort Polk Family Readiness Group.
Diana Veseth-Nelson, Melissa Gaul, Jennifer Benca and Jennifer Walker each represents about 50 families at Fort Polk in their roles as Family Readiness Group leaders. The four women act as liaisons among the Fort Polk families, Fort Polk commanders and the surrounding communities.
"This is going to be a great opportuntiy for the spouses as a way to help supplement income and to be able to be at home," said Benca. In addition, the job, much like Army life, is transient, so when the Army moves the family, the spouse can take the job along.
Walker said she was looking forward to sharing the news with the families at Fort Polk. Veseth-Nelson concurred, adding that the prospect of working with N.E.W. will provide many spouses with an excellent opportunity to build a career, an option that isn't readily available given the nature of being an Army spouse.
According to Rebecca Alston, senior project manager for N.E.W. who handles all call-center expansions for the company, the number of jobs available will depend on the qualified candidate pool. N.E.W. is looking for a specific skill set, with computer knowledge and professionalism at the top of the list. Also required is certain computer equipment, though none that isn't standard in most homes today. Six weeks of training via a virtual classroom would precede the job. Hours are flexible, including part-time schedules.
Employees would also have the opportunity to grow in the career, with promotions that would also allow for working from home. Alston herself works from home, she said.
She said she's optimistic that N.E.W. can continue to pull from the Central Louisiana region to fill positions on an ongoing basis, as long as the candidate pool is in place.
"It could be more than 200 ... who knows it could be 500 (jobs)," she said. The company's goal is 200 employees. "If that pool surprises us and it's even higher, we'll be very happy because we'll continue to take in. We're not going to cap it and say that's it. We're going to continue to hire."
Candidates must be able to work independently, she added, and child care would still be necessary because employees must maintain a distraction free environment.
The benefits of working from home include savings on meals, clothes and transportation as well flexible schedules, said Alston.
N.E.W. will also offer its employees the option of buying into a health care plan.
Interested job candidates can learn more at www.newcorp.com/careers and clicking on "Home Based Customer Care." OME BASED CUSTOMER CARE."
