New program provides real online jobs

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

We’ve all heard about those scams inviting us to work from home for an online business, but a program through Connect Ohio is the real deal, providing training and jobs in the retail online customer service sector for area residents.

Jeff Beebe of Connect Ohio, a non-profit organization that has principally been involved in bringing broadband Internet access to rural areas of the state, visited with the Van Wert County Board of Commissioners earlier this week to talk about the group’s new Digital Works program, a “sustainable job creation platform connecting 21st century workforce opportunities people seeking employment.”

Beebe talked to the commissioners about the Digital Works program, which has recently established a training facility at the Delphos Public Library.

Weekly orientations are scheduled for 2 p.m. each Monday.

The online program, which is certified through the National Retail Association, provides basic computer skills training, as well as English and grammar and customer service skills to those who participate.

Students in the program will learn to communicate effectively, both written and verbally, develop a personalized strategy for improving listening skills and apply knowledge and skills to communicate effectively with customers.

The six-week customer service training program gives participants the opportunity to accept a job at the end of the program as an online inbound customer service representative.

Workers start out at 20 to 25 cents per minute of talk-time and average between $9 and $12 an hour. Customer service reps can also set their own schedules and can work full-time or part-time.

The Digital Works program provides jobs through more than 100 online companies, including fast food order-taking for companies such as Pizza Hut to more advanced customer service positions with Allstate and MetLife insurance companies and other online companies.

In addition to customer service positions, there are also online freelance opportunities to earn money by blogging, transcribing, data entry, web design, being a virtual assistant, researching, image editing, date extraction, coding and other jobs.

Beebe said Connect Ohio is partnering with the Allen and Van Wert County Departments of Job and Family Services to offer the Delphos training facility.

For more information, call Beebe at 419.503.1015 or email jbeebe@connectohio.org.