NTI provides Quality Virtual Staffing

VR Counselor FAQ:
Placing Consumers through NTI

Questions about Placing Consumers through NTI

  1. How does NTI work with VR consumers?
  2. How do State VR counselors refer consumers to NTI?
  3. What kinds of jobs do VR consumers placed by NTI perform?
  4. Can NTI match VR consumers with part-time or full-time telework positions?
  5. Are NTI trainees sometimes placed into seasonal positions?
  6. How do VR consumers who will be working at home receive the necessary training?
  7. Must an individual be approved for VR services to be accepted into NTI’s 12 month training and support program?

1. How does NTI work with VR consumers?

NTI is a non-profit disability organization that specializes in working with individuals with disabilities who strongly prefer or require home-based employment. We develop a variety of telework positions and match clients to jobs appropriate to their capabilities and interests. Usually, we hire the clients directly as NTI employees to work on contracts NTI has with government and private-sector companies. However, we also match clients with employers who hire the clients themselves. These placements always include some combination of on-the-job and formal training classes.

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2. How do State VR counselors refer consumers to NTI?

VR counselors should refer consumers who strongly prefer or require home-based employment to NTI's web site at www.NTIcentral.Org to complete an on-line application. Your client will be advised contacted for a general screening interview. If all indications are that the consumer is in need of telework and is likely to succeed in the kinds of positions that NTI develops, NTI will ask the consumer to contact his or her VR counselor and request that NTI's services be incorporated into their Individualized Work Plan. The VR Counselor will also receive an email from NTI with the chosen State billing schedule requesting verification of VR support for client. While NTI cannot guarantee placement, NTI only charges VR agencies if the client works for at least 90 days in a telework position. In a few cases VR agencies pay if a client completes training. The balance is due at the end of 90 days of work.

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3. What kinds of jobs do VR consumers placed by NTI perform?

NTI matches about 85% of clients with customer service jobs in in-bound virtual call centers. These jobs vary in complexity from simple order taking to more demanding positions making reservations or providing product information or technical support. We match the remaining 15% of clients to positions in medical transcription, medical billing, quality control and assurance, government research, recruitment, sales, and survey and data collection. Click here to view descriptions of typical work-at-home jobs we develop.

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4. Can NTI match VR consumers with part-time or full-time telework positions?

Yes. NTI provides access to both part-time and full-time positions.

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5. Are NTI trainees sometimes placed into seasonal positions?

Yes. Some call center work is seasonal or temporary. For example, NTI has a contract with the IRS to handle orders for IRS Forms and Publications, which has a peak calling period from December–March. Note that agreements with some VR agencies dictate that no fee is charged until the consumer transitions into a year-round telework position. Click here for more information about billing for services when the placement is a seasonal one.

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6. How do VR consumers who will be working at home receive the necessary training?

VR consumers receive the training they require in their own homes using tested "virtual training" technology and techniques. Virtual training consists of the same mixture of lectures, demonstrations, role playing, drills, and written tests that call centers provide in their on-site classrooms.

VR consumers partake in a three-part NTI Certification designed to prepare each individual for success in the virtual workforce.  Our “NTI Certification " is a valuable tool to expose the individual to virtual customer service and contact center work.

VR consumers who partake in on-the-job training for customer service positions with NTI’s clients typically attend a virtual class 5 days a week for 4-6 hours each day. One trainer works with 5-20 trainees. All of the trainees report to training at the assigned time by dialing into a conference call "bridge." Trainees hear and interact with the trainer and one another via their telephone headsets. Each trainee’s computer is also linked to the trainer’s computer so that trainees can observe the trainer’s screen on their own screens as the trainer explains each step of an application. When it comes time to role-play the skills that trainees have just learned, the trainer changes the data link so that the trainees see the computer screen of the trainee who the trainer calls upon to play the role of the agent. As the trainees demonstrate their mastery of the application, they begin to take live calls under supervision.  New hires also receive individualized coaching in succeeding months to improve their speed, accuracy, and people-handling skills.

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7. Must an individual be approved for VR services to be accepted into NTI’s 12 month training and support program?

Yes. However, if an individual is awaiting approval for VR services, NTI may invite him or her to participate in a short-term telework training/ assessment experience, if NTI has such seasonal or temporary work opportunities available. NTI does not charge VR agencies for these short-term work experiences. However, participation in these short-term experiences does not eliminate the need for the individual to enroll in NTI's customary training/support program if he or she is seeking a long-term telework position via NTI.

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