Boston's
Putnam Investments will be employing up to 200 of Maine's residents for long-distance customer service, systems and management positions, in a partnership with Bangor- based
Husson College.
Putnam is one of the first fund companies to move on Maine's amended tax code, which gives tax advantages to mutual fund companies which move a portion of their operations into the state.
The plan is for Putnam to set up virtual offices for its Maine employees in a system similar to the Massachusetts work-at-home program it established nine years ago. That program currently has 330 Putnam participants. Putnam provides both computer and connection with either ISDN or DSL service in return for long-distance customer service, systems and management positions.
Training will also be provided to the 100 employees who will immediately be hired through the program, providing them with access to both "proprietary training and general career building skills over the wires," according to Putnam.
"I refer to it as 'career laddering'," said
Joe Wischerath, executive vice president of
Maine & Company, a private organization that helped bring Putnam to Maine. "This entire program allows people in Maine to build skills toward more advanced opportunities in the mutual fund industry."
In addition, 50- 90 students at Bangor's Husson College will be trained in and work in an on-campus Putnam customer-service facility. Putnam has operated a similar program at Dean College in Franklin, Massachusetts, for five years, employing up to 90 students per semester.
"The on-campus opportunity gives students the unique ability to earn income, gain valuable experience, and learn about the rapidly growing mutual fund industry," said
Dr. William Beardsley, president of Husson College. "This could also lead to more permanent, professional careers with Putnam once they graduate."
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