Employees from Afni, local elected officials, members of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, local business leaders and job seekers met at Greenwood Mall to celebrate a new expansion for Afni and a career fair to fill the newly created positions. Afni’s Bowling Green center was built in 1997 and was originally home to the sporting goods store, All About Sports next to the Greenwood Mall. Afni leased the building in April of 2000, remodeled it and moved in July 5, 2000. Afni now employs about 400 Customer Service Representatives in the Bowling Green area who answer incoming customer calls and help customers update accounts, find the right products or services, and get access to accurate and timely information.
After a successful launch of its work-at-home program, Afni has announced a massive new initiative to hire more employees and expand the program further, culminating in the Afni@Home program. Afni will add 150 new positions for its Afni@Home workforce. Greenwood Mall's North Court was transformed into a career fair after the announcement ceremony with computer workstations to accept applications and Afni representatives helping job seekers find opportunities within the company.
"We are very excited to expand our work-from-home team in Bowling Green. Our pilot group in Bowling Green of 40+ work-at-home Customer Service Representatives has shown we can create a unique culture of work-at-home teamwork and flexibility while achieving the highest levels of customer satisfaction," said Sean Brennan, Center Director for Afni Bowling Green and Afni@Home. "We love being part of the Bowling Green community and adding this work-at-home job type will allow us to continue to expand here."
A global customer engagement company based in Illinois, The company has been in business since 1936 and provides customer-focused contact solutions for leading companies in communications, insurance, and healthcare industries. Afni has received Training Magazine's Training Top 125 Award in 2013, 2014, and 2015, and are recipients of the Better Business Bureau Torch Award. Community involvement is also a part of the Afni mission, with local support through Adopt-a-Highway, Big Brothers Big Sisters, United Way, Salvation Army, Humane Society, and March of Dimes.
"This company took a look at our community 14 years ago, embraced us, and stayed," said Bowling Green Mayor Bruce Wilkinson. "They have started career paths in all directions, and provided our families with jobs and opportunities with a future. This new program takes their commitment to our local families a step further providing even easier accessibility to a career."
Along with an award-winning paid training and professional development program, Afni team members also enjoy:
- Bonus opportunities on top of an hourly wage
- Paid holidays / paid time off / sick days
- Comprehensive benefits plan including medical, dental and vision insurance
- Tuition reimbursement (up to $3,000 per year)
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match
"This new project provides 150 unique opportunities for employment to folks who can now enjoy the benefits of a stay-at-home job, or might have been otherwise unable to travel to their job," stated Judge Executive Michael Buchanon. "Using technology to promote a workforce based in their own homes is innovative and quite remarkable."
To be considered for a work-at-home position, candidates must live within driving distance of the Afni center. They must live in a Comcast or Time Warner Internet Provider area where business class internet can be set up in home. New hires will train at the Afni center in Bowling Green for 10 weeks and will be transitioned home. Afni will provide the high-speed internet access and required computer and phone equipment. Other work-from-home requirements can be found at http://afnicareers.com/search-careers/view/work-from-home-customer-service-representative.
This is the ninth economic development announcement in 2014 for the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, with a total capital investment of more than $211 million and the creation of 653 new jobs.
About Afni
A global customer engagement company based in Bloomington, Illinois, the company has been in business since 1936 and provides customer-focused contact solutions for leading companies in communications, insurance, and healthcare industries. The Bowling Green facility provides job opportunities in a unique atmosphere that promotes innovation and individuality, as well as positions working from home. They have received Training Magazine's Training Top 125 Award in 2013, 2014, and 2015, and are recipients of the Better Business Bureau Torch Award.
About the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce
Incorporated in 1935, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is a five-star accredited Chamber by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and was named the 2009 Chamber of the Year by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. As the fourth largest chamber in Kentucky, the Chamber serves as a premier business advocate for its more than 1,200 partners and is the driving force for economic development in South Central Kentucky. Its primary goals are to promote growth and success in the business community, reaching its small business partners and those in large industries alike. With leadership programs, governmental relations projects, educational initiatives and involvement opportunities, the Chamber aims to support the community and its neighbors in order to enhance the business climate and continue to grow the region.