EKCEP & JobSight Business Services Provide Boost to Help Colonial Claims Fill Remote-Work Positions

With a focus on helping businesses meet staffing needs, Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program’s (EKCEP) Business Services division was the perfect place for management at Colonial Claims to turn to help them recruit new work-from-home claims examiners.

Elliott County resident Jesse Pennington is currently working as a claims examiner for Colonial Claims after completing the company’s training program in partnership with EKCEP.

Since Colonial Claims and EKCEP first collaborated to recruit Eastern Kentuckians to train and work from home as insurance claims examiners, more than 20 people from the region have gone to work full-time for the company, which has offices in Kentucky and Florida and operates as one of the largest independent claims services companies in the U.S.

Remote work through Colonial is a recent development since the COVID-19 pandemic forced people to begin working from home instead of an office, and the viability of that type of work became more apparent. It also had the effect of expanding the base of potential employees for the company, said Colonial Claims Project Manager Theresa Newberry, since the company could look to hire outside of local communities.  

“Being able to expand our employee base with remote employees from Eastern Kentucky allows us to better service our insurance companies and meet the needs of those businesses during catastrophic events,” Newberry said.   

In 2021, Colonial Claims founder and President Doug Branham—a native of Pike County —opted to look for new employees living in Eastern Kentucky. That’s when the company also first contacted staff with EKCEP to assist with enrolling a small group of trainees living in the region. Colonial developed online training for participants that prepared them to begin careers as insurance claims examiners, while EKCEP—through its Kentucky Career Center JobSight network—recruited, screened, and supported Eastern Kentuckians enrolled in the training. That support included a regular stipend to help them cover living expenses during enrollment.  

“We did get great results [with our first training],” Newberry said. “We had amazing candidates and the group that was offered full-time positions is still with us.”  

Colonial and EKCEP partnered again in 2022 and 2023 for three additional trainings, the final of which is scheduled to complete a four-month course in February 2024. Of the first three groups of trainees, Colonial Claims has offered full-time positions to 21 people living in Eastern Kentucky to work as claims examiners for the company. 

The partnership between Colonial Claims and EKCEP has also allowed Colonial to hone and customize its training program to develop the skills of the trainees to become successful employees by its conclusion, this includes both existing curriculum and materials the company’s trainers have developed. Coupled with EKCEP’s recruiting and screening services, the company can select candidates best suited for the positions available.   

EKCEP’s assistance for trainees has been an important part of the program, as well, including the monthly stipend, which provides an incentive for trainees to take a chance on the training and also maintain their participation throughout the four months. 

Working with EKCEP has benefited Colonial Claims, Newberry continued, adding that she can see the partnership continuing if the company continues to grow and there remains a need for new employees.

For EKCEP’s part, it has been a rewarding opportunity to work with the leadership at Colonial Claims, said Business Services Director Melissa Williams, not only because of the eagerness of their team to build a training program and provide new opportunities for Eastern Kentuckians, but also because of the careers being made for people in the region that allow them to work at home. 

“This has been a perfect partnership from our perspective,” Williams said. “The company needed additional employees, and through our career centers, EKCEP was in a position to help connect the right people for those opportunities. This is precisely how our business services are designed to work." 

If you’re an employer and currently looking for new workers, EKCEP’s business services can provide a range of assistance, including recruitment, screening, and on-the-job training funds. Visit jobsight.org/locations for contact info for a Kentucky Career Center in your county and to contact a business services representative to get started.  

EKCEP, a nonprofit workforce development agency headquartered in Hazard, Ky., serves the citizens of 23 Appalachian coalfield counties. The agency provides an array of workforce development services and operates the Kentucky Career Center JobSight network of workforce centers, which provide access to more than a dozen state and federal programs that offer employment and training assistance for jobseekers and employers all under one roof. Learn more about us at http://www.ekcep.org, http://www.jobsight.org and http://www.facebook.com/ekcep.