A few months after announcing it would locate its 12th Canadian call centre in Windsor, HGS Canada is finally hiring workers.
Interviews are underway at the company's temporary location in Tecumseh Mall for the first 120 workers who will start training February 2. The company plans to hire a second cohort next month. By this fall, the company hopes to have 600 workers in Windsor including 200 in management positions.
HGS Canada President Ross Beattie says they're looking for employees who want to move up the ranks. "On our front lines, they'll start off at $11.50 an hour," he says. "All of the leadership positions which are also management positions will range from approximately $28,000 to $100,000 (a year)."
The company is investing $4-million in renovations in its permanent location at the former Zeller's in Tecumseh Mall. Beattie says its connection to bus routes across the city made it an attractive location.
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens believes the investment will provide surrounding businesses a much-needed economic boost after the loss of both Zeller's and Sobey's in the area. "If you're looking at the value of the payroll of an operation like this, it could be upwards of $60-million a year," he says. "They're going to see a significant benefit."
Beattie says the company didn't accept any incentives for locating in Windsor after holding job fairs in other communities including Sarnia and Chatham.
HGS has 59 locations in ten countries around the world.
WEEDC CEO Sandra Pupatello, HGS Canada President Ross Beattie and WIndsor Mayor Drew Dilkens at HGS Announcement, January 15 2015. (Photo by Adelle Loiselle.)
Essex County Warden and Lakeshore Mayor Tom Bain at HGS Canada announcement, January 13 2015. (Photo by Adelle Loiselle.)
Tecumseh Mall General Manager Deborah McVeety. (Photo by Adelle Loiselle.)
HGS Canada President Ross Beattie. (Photo by Adelle Loiselle.)
HGS Canada President Ross Beattie. (Photo by Adelle Loiselle.)
HGS Canada President Ross Beattie January 13 2015. (Photo by Adelle Loiselle.)
Tecumseh Mall (Photo by Adelle Loiselle.)
WEEDC's Rakesh Naidu at HGS Canada announcement, January 13 2015. (Photo by Adelle Loiselle.)
WEEDC's Rakesh Naidu and Ward One Councillor Fred Francis at HGS Canada announcement, January 13 2015. (Photo by Adelle Loiselle.)
Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Percy Hatfield and WEEDC CEO Sandra Pupatello at HGS Canada announcement, January 13 2015. (Photo by Adelle Loiselle.)
HGS Canada temporary location in Tecumseh Mall. (Photo by Adelle Loiselle.)
HGS Canada President Ross Beattie takes a sledge hammer to a wall at the former Zeller's at Tecumseh Mall, January 13 2015. (Photo by Adelle Loiselle.)
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens speaking with those gathered at the HGS Canada Announcement, January 13 2015. (Photo by Adelle Loiselle.)
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens at HGS Canada Announcement, January 13 2015. (Photo by Adelle Loiselle.)
A construction sign at the site of the new HGS Canada location in Windsor. (Photo by Adelle Loiselle.)
