LANCASTER—Beginning later this month, York Technical College, in partnership with the Lancaster County Economic Development Corporation, will begin offering classes in Lancaster to prepare men and women for call center and customer care jobs.

In addition to the necessary technology skills required for such jobs, the new Call Center & Customer Care certificate will provide participants with skills in problem resolution and writing. The certificate is also designed to improve participants' keyboard and data-entry skills and help them to be more professional and effective communicators while learning to work both independently and as valued team members.

The first four-week class, which begins on July 13 at Lancaster High School, is filling up fast. Both Workforce Investment Act (WIA) qualified and public registration is accepted. WIA provides services to help unemployed and underemployed workers find long-term employment and is funding the training program along with the Lancaster County Council.

Lancaster County Economic Development has been in discussions with a company that is interested in bringing a call center to Lancaster County.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of customer service representatives is expected to grow quickly in the coming years in industries such as hospitality/travel, telecommunications, information technology, public safety and many others.

Registration for upcoming call center training classes is available online at www.yorktech.com, by phone at (803) 325-2888 (credit card required), in-person at York Technical College, or either of the York Technical College off-campus centers. Future call center training classes will be offered at the Lancaster County Education Center, 1520 Pageland Highway, Lancaster.

For more information, contact Ernie Green at (803) 475-2833 or egreen@yorktech.com.

York Technical College . 452 S. Anderson Road . Rock Hill, SC 29730