Lafayette Online » Jobs

Alorica Inc to open call center, create 600 Lafayette jobs

Carolyn Shelby — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:40:35 +0000

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A new business and 600 new jobs are coming to Greater Lafayette. The announcement was made at a news conference earlier today (May 27) at the Holiday Inn City Centre.

Chino, California-headquartered Alorica Inc., a customer service management firm serving Fortune 500 clients in electronics, wireless services and other consumer industries, is investing $3 million to remodel and equip a 49,000-square-foot facility it will lease on eight acres at 181 Sagamore Parkway South in Lafayette. The site was formerly occupied by Silent Thunder.

Alorica customer service representatives take calls in the Topeka, KS call center. (Photo courtesy Topeka Capitol-Journal)

The Lafayette contact center is opening to serve a telecommunications industry client. Remodeling is underway, and the center will open as soon as construction is complete.

“When Greater Lafayette Commerce began working with Alorica last October, we quickly realized that this is a company we wanted in our community,” said Jody Hamilton, director of economic development.

“In its 10-year history, Alorica has landed key business with communications industry giants and grown rapidly. Its own business success, however, isn’t its only focus,” Hamilton said. “Alorica realizes that its premier customer service-delivered by well-trained, motivated and loyal employees-is its secret to success. We eagerly welcome a company known for treating its employees well and becoming a true part of the communities where it operates.”

West Lafayette’s KJG Architecture designed the facility renovations; Alorica is working with local contractors and suppliers as much as possible, she said.

Welcoming Alorica to Lafayette, Mayor Tony Roswarski said, “Bringing a major new employer to town is great news, especially when it’s a well-established, growing company known for first-rate service, cutting-edge operations and a focus on providing employees with paid training, fair wages, good benefits and long-term security. The name of the game is ‘jobs,’ and in today’s challenging times, posting a big win like this on Lafayette’s employment scoreboard is a just reward for the hard-working folks here,” Roswarski said.

The City of Lafayette and Tippecanoe County are providing training funds.

Local assistance also includes tax-increment-financing and economic development income tax monies to assist in purchasing a generator from Caterpillar, fiber, cabling, electrical work and parking lot improvements.

“Tippecanoe County government believes that helping to provide training is an investment that will pay a great return,” said John Knochel, president of the Tippecanoe County Commission. “Local residents will master new skills in technology, learn important customer service techniques, and take home both earnings and benefits. It’s a door of opportunity and we’re helping to open it for hundreds of people in our county.”

The State of Indiana is providing performance-based tax credits, training assistance and funding for some infrastructure improvements.

Mike Gibson, chairman of the Greater Lafayette Commerce board of directors, said, “We call our community ‘The Place of Choice,’ and Alorica’s decision to invest $3 million in capital expenditures for its contact center and put some 600 people to work here certainly demonstrates that, indeed, we are the place of choice. Our workforce is eager to master and use new skills.
Alorica is ready to grow. And we’re proud to partner with them as they continue their skyrocketing success.”

How to Apply for Alorica Jobs
Applicants for Alorica Inc. contact center jobs must have a high school diploma or GED and basic typing skills; sales and customer experience are important. Alorica also will hire management and support staff. Paid benefits will include health insurance, retirement, vacation, sick time, holiday pay and tuition reimbursement.

Those interested must register and submit a resume online at www.indianacareerconnect.com. Computers are available for free use at local libraries or WorkOne, 820 Park East Blvd., Lafayette. That may be done now.
Applicants should check back at the website after June 1, when Alorica is expected to be listed as an employer option, and indicate their interest in that company.

Free workshop targets laid-off workers in Greater Lafayette

Carolyn Shelby — Thu, 07 May 2009 18:27:35 +0000

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Purdue College of Technology at Lafayette is holding a workshop May 16 to provide job search, financial and educational resources for those in the community who have recently lost their jobs.

Reach New Heights will be from 10 a.m. to noon at the Subaru of Indiana Automotive Training and Reception Center, 5500 Indiana 38 E. in Lafayette.

Representatives from WorkOne will discuss how and where to search for a job, and experts will present information about how to prepare resumes and cover letters, as well as how to prepare for a job interview. In addition, Industrial Federal Credit Union representatives will discuss how to pay bills during a downtime and how to budget and save money.

Purdue representatives also will offer information and answer questions. The College of Technology at Lafayette will have staff on hand to discuss the programs offered and how to enroll in classes. Financial aid representatives will be available to answer questions about how to afford higher education, how to apply for financial aid and how to receive scholarships. In addition, a student panel from the college will offer information and answer questions from those considering taking courses at the Lafayette location.

The College of Technology at Lafayette, located at Subaru of Indiana Automotive, offers certificate programs, associate degrees and bachelor’s degrees in industrial technology and organizational leadership and supervision. Courses are offered days and evenings and via distance learning.

For additional information, contact the College of Technology at Lafayette at 765-494-6886, techlafayette@purdue.edu, or go online to http://www.tech.purdue.edu/lafayette/

Indiana manufacturing jobs dropped 2.2 percent in 2007

Carolyn Shelby — Tue, 13 May 2008 18:12:18 +0000

EVANSTON, Ill., — Industrial employment in Indiana dropped 2.2% over the past 12 months according to the 2008 Indiana Manufacturers Directory, a compilation of state industry published annually by Manufacturers’ News, Inc. (MNI) Evanston, IL. MNI reports Indiana lost 15,118 industrial jobs from March 2007 to March 2008 — comparable to the 2.4% decline MNI reported for the state during the 2006-2007 period and matching the 2.2% loss experienced by the U.S. as a whole within the past 12 months.

“It was a record year for U.S. industrial output and productivity, but improved technology and automation means it requires fewer workers to produce these products,” says Tom Dubin, President of Manufacturers’ News. “The good news is that the industrial jobs that remain tend to pay more because they require engineering and technology skills.”

According to MNI, Indiana ranks 9th in the nation for manufacturing employment and 13th for number of manufacturers. MNI reports industrial employment in Indianapolis improved, moving up two places in MNI’s city ranking to #8 in the nation, surpassing industrial employment in Dallas and St. Louis.

Manufacturers’ News reports Indiana is home to 11,022 manufacturers employing 661,733 workers. MNI profiles manufacturers of all sizes, including small, start-up companies. Indiana’s industrial employment losses reflect those seen across the Midwest, with Michigan jobs down 5%, Illinois down 1.5%, Kentucky down 2.3% and Ohio down 3.1%.

MNI reports Indiana’s auto industry experienced a smaller employment loss of 5% or 4,764 jobs, compared to the 12% loss MNI reported for the sector a year ago. Auto industry jobs currently account for 90,638 of the state’s industrial workers. Major plant closings in this sector include Viseton’s Connersville auto parts plant and a GDX plant in Wabash. As a whole, the transportation equipment sector represents 16% of the state’s manufacturing employment, or 106,806 jobs down 3,710 or 3.4% over the year. Manufacturers of industrial machinery and equipment represent 81,654 of the state’s jobs, with no significant employment change reported over the year. Manufacturers of fabricated metal employ 68,611, down 2.7% over the year.

Other sectors losing employment include lumber and wood, down 5.4%, rubber and miscellaneous plastics, down 4% and primary metals, down 4.1%. Chemicals and allied products were down 2%, due partially to planned cutbacks at drug maker Pfizer’s Terre Haute plant. Employment remained steady in the furniture/fixtures sector, paper/allied products, and electronics. Food products and printing/publishing were each up 1% over the year.

According to MNI, East Central Indiana accounts for the most manufacturing jobs in the state, with 177,173 workers, and lost half as many jobs as the year before, down 5,707 jobs, or 2.1% compared to 9,471 or 5.1% lost in the 2006-2007 period. Northeast Indiana also fared better this year, posting a 1.4% loss of 2,439 jobs compared to a 2.3% loss of 4,455 jobs the year before, and currently accounts for 176,163 of the state’s industrial jobs. Northwest and Southwest Indiana suffered greater losses over last year’s with Northwest Indiana down 4.4% or 4,602 jobs for a total of 99,474 jobs for the region. Southwest Indiana accounts for 79,937 jobs, down 3,617 or 4.3% over the year. Southeast Indiana is home to 70,907 industrial jobs, up a half percent over the year, while West Central Indiana is home to 58,082 manufacturing jobs, with no significant employment change reported.

MNI’s city data shows Indianapolis accounts for 93,696 of the state’s industrial jobs or 14%, up 1,108 jobs or 1.2% over the year. Fort Wayne is home to 28,025 jobs, down 1% over the past 12 months, while Elkhart is down the most at 2,974 jobs, or 9.2% and currently accounts for 29,414 jobs. Evansville accounts for 20,405 industrial jobs, down 1.2%, while Columbus is home to 19,478 workers, up 1.1%.

Detailed profiles of Indiana’s 11,022 manufacturers and 1,049 industrial distributors can be found in the 2008 Indiana Manufacturers Directory, available in print for $134 and on CD-ROM from $208. Each profile provides up to 30 facts, including vital contact information (phone, web, e-mail), names and titles of 36,840 key executives, product(s) manufactured, annual sales, number of employees, and more. Visitors to http://www.mnileads.com may generate custom company selections using thirteen different criteria, including area or zip code, county, SIC, sales volume, number of employees, and more.

Lafayette Online » Jobs

Alorica Inc to open call center, create 600 Lafayette jobs

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Free workshop targets laid-off workers in Greater Lafayette

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