Pa. student loan agency anticipates creating 150 jobs in Chester

    The word “layoffs” has been heard all too often in and around Chester lately. With refinery cutbacks and closings, as well cuts in the region’s health-care system, Chester’s job market can certainly use good news.

    One such ray of light came with an announcement made last week.

    The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency services student loans to borrowers nationwide. Until now, it has operated entirely out of Harrisburg, but agency officials say they have plans to open a new call center in Chester, Delaware County. This, they say, would create 150 full-time customer-service jobs.

    “The positions will be good sustainable jobs and they will have access to benefits,” said PHEAA spokesman Keith New. “We look forward to becoming a part of that community and having countywide impact with these jobs.”

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    “We expect most of the positions to be filled locally. That’s why we chose the area,” he said. “College education is not required, but certainly we need sharp individuals. They will receive some fairly intense training, about eight weeks.”

    PHEAA expects to run a job fair in the summer to fill the positions for an expected fall opening of the Chester facility.

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