[Arizona-students] Look what's happening at the SC Commission for the Blind

[Steve Cook]

Look what's happening at the South Carolina Commission for the Blind!  Do
you like people?  How about talking on the phone?  How would you like to get
paid for talking on the phone and helping people?  

SCCB has entered into an agreement with Vanguard Rental Corporation to
provide training for consumers who are blind or visually impaired and
interested in employment in their reservation centers in Goose Creek, SC, or
Salt Lake City, UT.  Applicants are trained in a state-of-the-art facility
at our Columbia complex. During the twelve (12) week program, students
receive training on how to take reservations for Rental cars using JAWS (Job
Access With Speech) or Screen enlargement software.  The unique feature of
this training program is the opportunity to receive valuable work experience
taking actual reservation calls. Now, here's the best part!  According to
our agreement with Vanguard, anyone who successfully completes our program
and passes a drug test can go directly to work in one of their reservation
centers.
 
That's not all though!  We have recently formed a cooperative agreement with
The American Red Cross to train blood Telerecruiters to be employed in
recruiting centers in any of their thirty-six (36) regions throughout the
country.  Applicants for this program will be interviewed by local Red Cross
officials and pass a drug test prior to beginning the six- (6) week training
program.  Those accepted into the program will be trained to use Red Cross
recruiting software in conjunction with JAWS or screen enlargement software.
Upon successful completion of the training, graduates will go directly to
work in the recruiting center.

You say you don't want to relocate? That's okay; the training and experience
you receive in either of these programs can easily be applied to virtually
any job in the telephone customer service industry.  If there is a company
in your area that operates a call center, we can help you make contact with
that company and insure that any technical barriers are addressed.  

We are also constantly working with other companies to create opportunities
for our graduates who don't want to relocate. In addition to Alamo and Red
Cross, our graduates have been placed in fields as diverse as the wireless
communication industry, the cable television industry, the mortgage
industry, and the shipping industry.  The possibilities are virtually
limitless--telephone customer service is one of the fastest growing
industries in the world.

Depending upon the company and the skill level of the applicant, salaries
for these jobs can range from about $16000 to $28,000 plus bonuses.  These
jobs also tend to offer vacation and excellent benefits.  

To qualify for these jobs, you will need to have a high school diploma or
equivalent, a good working knowledge of computers using JAWS, Magic, or  
ZoomText, a corrected typing speed of at least twenty words per minute, and
excellent verbal and written communication skills. If you don't possess
these skills, don't despair--SCCB offers training in all these areas to help
you acquire the skills you need to be successful.  You only need to
demonstrate an aptitude to learn in a timely manner.

If you would like more information about this outstanding program and the
opportunities it offers for employment in a mainstream, competitive
environment, with excellent advancement potential, contact Ed Bible,
Director of Training and Employment (803-898-8786 or Email:
ebible at sccb.sc.gov

Steve Cook
American Red Cross Training Program Instructor
South Carolina Commission for the Blind
Phone: (803) 898-8788
E-Mail: stcook at sccb.sc.gov