Rockford call center to add 400 new jobs

ROCKFORD. — A call center operating in Rockford is expected to add up to 400 new jobs.

The Rockford Register Star reports that NCO Group will add the positions to handle expanded business for one of its wireless telecommunications clients. The jobs are mostly customer care associates.

The full-time jobs include benefits packages, retirement plans and vacation time.

The company currently has about 650 workers at the Rockford call center.

NCO Customer Management senior vice president James McGrath says the company's "long-standing relationship" with Rockford is "very positive."

The jobless rate fell from 15.7 percent in April 2010 to 11.9 percent in the Rockford area this April. But Rockford still has the highest unemployment rate among Illinois metro areas.

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