Hunter Chapter Has City On Call
Newcastle Herald
Wednesday December 2, 1998
THE dream of the Hunter becoming a call centre capital came closer after the establishment of a chapter of the Australian Telemarketing and Call Centre Association.
Hunter Economic Development Corporation marketing manager Ms Gillian Summers expects some major announcements `within months' after yesterday's launch.
`This is the first regional centre for the ATA (Australian Telemarketing and Call Centre Association),' Ms Summer said.
`The level of interest in Newcastle was seen by the presence of representatives of at least four major national or international companies at the launch,' she said.
`With the ATA here in Newcastle, work will be attracted to the region.'
National president of ATA Bob Westcott and Hunter Chapter president Trevor Harvey were at yesterday's launch.
Mr Harvey said educational institutions were supporting the growing need for relevant training.
Kurri Kurri High School has already expressed an interest in establishing call centre and telecommunication courses for Year 11 students.
`It's important that people are given the skills that this growing industry can use,' Mr Harvey said.
`Everyone here is so passionate.
`We have the workforce, we have close proximity to Sydney. Having an industry body present in the region means anyone coming here looking to establish a call centre will have a reference point.'
© 1998 Newcastle Herald