West Corp. to add 300 employees

By Kristen Russo

krusso@vindy.com

NILES

West Corp. in Niles will add at least 300 full-time employees to its call-center operations between now and April.

David Pleiss, company vice president of investor and public relations, said the call center’s new hires will handle customer service and technical support for a wireless cell-phone company. He declined to name the company.

“Obviously, we’re excited, because we’re able to hire about 300 people, and we’re always excited to bring on a new client or expand our relationships with current clients,” Pleiss said.

Pat Cascarelli, human- resources director, said West will train its new employees in groups of 25 to 30 people starting Monday. Two more training classes will follow each week after that until the company has at least 300 people trained. The training will be cell-phone specific.

“When someone calls the customer-service line for their cell phone, chances are they are calling a company like West,” Cascarelli said.

Because they will be assisting cell-phone customers, Cascarelli said, job applicants familiar with cell-phone technology will have an advantage in getting the job.

Cascarelli said once West makes all of its new hires, the company will employ about 1,100 people.

West offers paid training for 90 days at a rate of $8.50 an hour. After that, pay increases to $10 an hour, Cascarelli said. The company offers medical, dental and vision benefits as well as 401(k), tuition reimbursement and an employee- assistance program.

Those interested in the positions can go to the West job fair or apply online at www.westemployment.com. The job fair runs today and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the West building at 5185 Youngstown-Warren Road.