By Wolf Depner - Penticton Western News - May 30, 2008
The Excell Services call centre — one of the largest and recognized private employers — is closing its doors this October because it could not find enough staff, presumably at wages which the company could afford to pay. The company — which promised to make a formal announcement today — said it is leaving because it it is centralizing operations in areas with a much larger pool of potential staff members than what Penticton can offer, according to company officials. Information from the U.S.-based company which runs the centre did not say whether the appreciation of the Canadian dollar played a role in the closure. Local economic development officer Wayne Tebbutt, who helped attract the centre, could not be reached for comment. It is estimated that the closure will impact just under 200 employees, whom the company has promised to help in their job search between now and the closure. Employees approached inside and outside of the facility for comment refused to answer questions, citing company policy. The closure of the call centre is the latest in a string of local call centres closing, and on a more broader level, another sign that the region is not immune from the economic turmoil affecting other parts of the North America. Two Kelowna-based call centres closed their doors earlier this year, laying off hundreds of workers. A Vernon-based call centre also announced jobs cuts earlier this year.
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