Partnership between Colonial Claims and EKCEP Leads to New Career for Renee Coleman

When Renee Coleman decided to retire from her career with Kellogg’s, she expected her time would be spent simply enjoying retirement.

What actually happened proved quite the opposite. 

“When I got my retirement, I just retired,” recalled Coleman, a native of Pike County. “And then I started getting bored.” 

Renee Coleman

Coleman said she wasn’t actually ready to retire when she did, but complications that arose during the pandemic led to her decision. As she realized that retirement wasn’t agreeing with her, she started looking for other work and landed a position at a paint manufacturing plant, but it wasn’t the type of work she wanted to do. 

In early 2023 a family member told her about an opportunity for free online training from Colonial Claims that would prepare her to work from home as an insurance claims adjuster. It seemed like a good idea, and her relative had gone through the training in 2022 and was already working for the company. And not only was the program free, but through a partnership between Colonial Claims and Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program (EKCEP) she could earn a regular stipend to cover living expenses while in training.

"I worked for Kellogg’s as a supervisor, so I thought, well, I’ve been sitting around the house and I need to do something, so this sounded like a great opportunity,” she said.  

Coleman applied online and worked virtually with workforce staff at the Kentucky Career Center JobSight in Harlan County to enroll and prepare for the program. In a few weeks, she was notified of her selection as one of 15 participants.

The training was offered exclusively online and in a remote setting. Trainers with Colonial Claims provided instruction and information to prepare Coleman and the rest of the cohort to take the Kentucky state exam for adjusters and begin working on real world claims. It was a change from what she was used to in her previous career, but it was also something she enjoyed. 

“I like challenging myself, so it was a really good experience,” Coleman said, adding that the trainers remained supportive throughout the four-month program. “They were very encouraging, especially when at times I felt like I wasn’t succeeding.” 

Fast forward four months and Coleman was prepared to pass the state adjusters exam. Colonial Claims offered her a full-time position as a work-from-home adjuster, and in early August she began working on claims.  

While Coleman is happy to be back at work, the remote aspect of the training and the job appealed to her as well, especially the lack of a commute. She may have had to drive to her jobsite before, but now she just has to walk to her home office to get started at work.  

“You can just get up, go log on to your computer, relax and then get busy,” she said.  

As she looks back now, Coleman said the training she received proved valuable, and because of it she was ready on her first day.

“They train you, and then they’re your support team after the training is over,” she said. “So, yeah, [working for Colonial Claims] is like being in a family.”  

In partnership with EKCEP’s Teleworks USA division, Colonial Claims is currently recruiting a new cohort of trainees for fall/winter 2023. If you live within EKCEP’s 23-county service area and you’re interested in beginning a new career, apply online at ekcep.org/colonial. The application period will remain open through Sept. 8.   

A division of EKCEP, Teleworks USA identifies and develops legitimate remote-work job opportunities with multiple national and global companies. Teleworks USA’s team of career advisors also helps prepare people for the jobs by helping them craft strong résumés, connecting them with available training, honing their interviewing skills, and assisting them in applying for available remote-work positions. Find out more at teleworksusa.com.

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 job seekers and employers all under one roof. Learn more about us at http://www.ekcep.org or http://www.facebook.com/ekcep.