Convergys to hire 110 in Appleton

APPLETON - The global Convergys Corporation plans to add 110 jobs at its Appleton call center, one of 82 centers in half a dozen countries.

Appleton Site Director Steve Morton says increased demand for customer support services is bringing the opportunity.

"It's been growing leaps and bounds over the course of last year and this has been able to give us the growth that we need to sustain more seats here in Appleton," he said. "It's really exciting for us."

Morton oversees a staff of 450 at Appleton's Convergys call center. He expects to add 110 more employees by May.

Convergys specializes in support and sales. The new workers will be helping customers over the phone.

"We have a contract with a large telecommunications client and the demand for growth has been rather extreme," Morton said.

The hourly positions will start at $10 per hour, plus benefits.

The Fox Valley Cities Chamber of Commerce says the growth at Convergys is good news, a sign things are turning around.

"You know we did shed a lot of jobs within recent years because of the economy, but anytime a company is going to be adding new employment that's a plus," Jim Schlies with the Chamber said.

And Convergys won't be the only area company hiring. Fox Valley Workforce Development is expecting employment gains in the manufacturing sector. One local company will add about 200 jobs in the next three to six months.

"That's where we're seeing the growth, a lot of people thought manufacturing is dying but that seems to be where the jobs are coming back," Development Director Cheryl Welch said. "They're coming back, but with different skill sets required."

Welch can't name the company that's hiring yet, but says it is not alone. She says foundry, robotics welding and commercial painting jobs are expected to open soon.

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