Business processing services provider NCO Group Inc. is expanding the work force at its Charleston, W.Va. contact center. State and NCO officials announced on January 13  that the company plans to hire about 90 associates and invest more than $350,000 in equipment and training at the center. NCO is looking to fill positions to provide customer service support for one of its utility clients. The company also is hiring managers, trainers and supervisors.

According to the company website, “NCO is an industry leader in providing clients with successful business process outsourcing (BPO) solutions. Our outsourcing portfolio includes accounts receivable management, customer management services, and back office services for a diversified customer base. Since NCO's inception in 1926, our goal has remained constant - to reduce client operating expenses, increase cash flow, and improve their customers' experience. Our best-in-class, results-driven reputation, strong financial track record, and proven business model makes NCO the choice for BPO solutions.”

Any notice of job gains is good news for any area. The trend in job gains seems to continue to benefit West Virginia. At the close of 2011 West Virginia had an unemployment rate of 7.9 percent. The state unemployment rate was 0.8 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month of November 2011. The unemployment rate in West Virginia peaked in December 2010 at 9.7 percent and is now 1.8 percentage points lower.