AUGUSTA – Barclaycard announced today it will be creating 200 new jobs over the next two years as it undergoes a major expansion at a former G.H. Bass shoe facility on Weld Road in Wilton.
The announcement was made at the State House by Gov. Paul R. LePage and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner George Gervais with Patrick Wright, chief operating officer, other Barclaycard and local officials in attendance. Barclaycard is the credit card business of Barclays in the U.S.
“I congratulate this company for its continued investment and expansion in western Maine,” said Gov. LePage. “The company is a solid, reputable and dynamic part of the Maine economy. Their continued success makes us even more determined to keep improving Maine’s overall competitiveness so we can increase our ability to attract private investment.”
Barclaycard selected the Wilton facility at 128 Weld Road in 2008 for a customer center and initially hired 50 people then added another 20 employees that first year. Currently, 150 people are employed at the center.
In his announcement, Wright said they expect to add 100 new employees by the end of this year and another 100 by the end of 2014, to bring the total to 350 employees. He said the credit card company is growing and with it comes the need for additional customer services. Barclaycard is based in Wilmington, Del. and has another call center located in Newark, Del. The center in Wilton, Wright said afterward, is the only location where a two-year job expansion is planned.
“Barclaycard is very pleased with the workforce in Franklin County,” Wright said. “The employees offer fantastic services. Since opening in 2008, we’re delighted with the leadership team.”
Jenn McEntee of Wilton, has served as the director of the Wilton center since it opened for the company that offers co-branded credit cards with more than 40 partners in travel, financial institution and retail businesses. L.L. Bean is among Barclaycard’s partners. The call center’s employees provide customer service on incoming calls from its credit card members.
The Wilton center offers full-time employment with a benefits package that includes health and dental insurance, vision coverage and a 401K plan with matching corporate contributions, Wright said. In addition, the company has incentives for employee community service work in the local community and it has supported programs at Academy Hill School, the Franklin County Task Force and The Rumford Home, a homeless shelter.
“We give back; it’s embedded in our DNA,” Wright said.
McIntee credits the call center’s current employees for the upcoming jobs expansion.
“It’s really all about doing their best and having fun while doing it. They’re top notch,” she said of the employees. “It’s a dedicated crew who like to have fun.
Sen. Tom Saviello, R-Wilton, said, “It is great news. Jenn is an exceptional supervisor with super people working for her. Their work ethic is what brought home the additional jobs.” He added those additional jobs will bring an economic boost to Franklin County.
Alison Hagerstrom, executive director of the Greater Franklin Development Corporation agreed.
“Barclaycard is a great employer and Jenn McEntee, the director of the center in Wilton, has done a great job growing the business in Maine, and we are very proud to have Barclaycard in Franklin County. This is fantastic news and will positively impact our economy,” she said.
Wright added he was in Wilton this morning and “were taking applications today.” For more information about the available positions, visit: www.joinbarclays.com
Congratulations to Jen and the whole team at Barclays! You do great things in Franklin County and are an amazing asset to our communities.
Congrulations Jen! You and your whole team at Barclays should be very proud of this accomplishment and what it will bring to the Franklin County area. I know how hard you work and hope you get acknowledge for a job well done. This really brings a smile to my face as I know how this area really has needed something good to happen like this.
Great news! This is a solid company to work for. The pay is decent, the benefits are good, and there is opportunity for advancement. Much needed in our community!
Given this terrific announcement, I’m even more glad to be a Barclaycard customer.
Great company and great place to work! This is an awesome opportunity for those in the area looking for a solid future with a place for advancement.
im glad there are at least some kind of jobs coming back to the area
Congratulations, Jenn……this good news is in large part, I’m sure, due to your superior leadership here in the Wilton facility.
Well said Steve. I’m proud to say I’m employed by Barclaycard and happy to work with so many people who care about each other.
Great news for Wilton and the surrounding communities. Great job Jenn and all those involved with making this happen.
Great workplace and great co-workers there… so happy to hear they are going to be able to offer good jobs to so many more people!
Great to see more jobs added in Wilton, but what does LePage have to do with any of this? I mean other than trying to soak up some happy news…
This is great new and what it could do for all the small business in down town WILTON MAINE!!!!!
Great job Jenn and all your employees- Great team and a great effort
Do they offer an evening shift?
WONDERFUL NEEDS!!!
But what about the people at Sykes that are losing their jobs the end of Sept.? Sounds like they should be the ones to fill the 100 new positions at Barclaycards.