CHICO — In July 2012, Milestone Technologies opened a small tech office on Rio Lindo Avenue with about a dozen employees. That was the start of something big — big as in 230 jobs.
Milestone will enlarge its Chico operation multifold, starting with a job fair later this month.
“Things are going well,” CEO and founder Prem Chand told the Enterprise-Record Thursday morning.
The Fremont-based company solves computer technology problems for clients around the world, including companies like eBay, Facebook and Google.
Out of the blue, Milestone announced in 2012 it would open a small office in Chico, but for good reason. Chand had roots in Butte County, raised in Biggs, with his family farming interests there and near Hamilton City.
In the Bay Area, he also employed people who lived in Chico and had attended Chico State University.
Chand told the Enterprise-Record last year that he was looking for employees who were more loyal than he found in the Bay Area.
Now, Milestone will open what it calls a “contact center” dedicated to answering clients’ questions about technology products. Chand plans to be open and running on Oct. 21.
“If a user has a product and has a question, we’ll support it.”
Of its prospective employees, Chand said, “We’re really looking for customer service people.”
There are only two jobs listed initially: contact center customer service support agent and contact center supervisor. Agents take the calls, and supervisors make sure the agents are providing customer service, Chand described. No wages are listed.
For the contact center, Milestone will be leasing a 22,400-square-foot building at 282 Convair Ave., owned by Howard Slater and Wayne Cook, both of Chico.
The building, once occupied by Mike’s Mobile Repair, will be remodeled.
Milestone is planning a Sept. 28 job fair at Chico State University to start the hiring. Milestone currently employs 15 on Rio Lindo Avenue and that facility will remain intact. Milestone has about 1,000 employees worldwide.
Chand said he was concerned about finding the 230 new employees, but said he sat down with representatives of Chico State, Butte College and the nonprofit Alliance for Workforce Development, which has been handling job placement services in Butte County.
Chand said he was reassured by the partners that the labor force Milestone is seeking is here. Training is a part of the process as well.
“These newest rounds of hiring represent a significant commitment to the city and Butte County by Milestone,” Chand said in a press release.
Milestone plans a press conference today to talk more about its plans.
Registration for Milestone job fair being taken now.
CHICO — The Milestone job fair is a different kind of employment event for the region.
The event is 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 28 at Chico State University’s Bell Memorial Union on West Second Street.
Applicants are asking to register first online, and can choose interview times in 15-minute stints. To register, go to www.milestonepowered.com and click on the job fair box at the bottom right.
There are only two job types: contact center customer support agent and contact center supervisor.
Applicants “must be familiar with the use of products such as Google Chrome OS, Google Play, Google Docs and more,” says the website.
Applicants should bring a hard or soft copy of their resume, and those who are interviewed will be required to submit a credit and background check.
The last day to pre-register is Sept. 27.
Original source can be found at ChicoER: http://www.chicoer.com/news/ci_24137346/technology-firm-milestone-plans-expand-chico-by-200
Reach Laura Urseny at 896-7756, lurseny@chicoer.com or on Twitter @LauraUrseny.
About Milestone
– Milestone Technologies, Inc. is a leading supplier of technology products and support services. From the desktop to the data center, the organization is focused on client success. When clients are able to serve their customers better and more efficiently, Milestone has accomplished their mission.
