CUSTOMER SERVICE CERTIFICATION
What is Customer Service?
Customer Service is defined as the assistance and advice provided by a company to those people who buy or use its products or services. A customer service certification from Indy Reads will show employers you’re ready to excel in a customer-facing position, and that you have the skills to make a difference for their customers and their business.
Our Customer Service Certification Course
The course combines High School Equivalency coursework and online soft skills development with live training and career consulting appointments in order to prepare students for job opportunities in retail and customer service roles. A blend of online and live virtual lessons will allow you to learn at your own pace. Students will have the knowledge necessary to prepare for and take the National Retail Federation (NRF) credential exam. The credential is nationally-recognized. See which employers collaborated in the creation of this course
here.
Because soft skills gained during this course are transferable, program graduates are not limited to one field or sector, and the experience gained can be foundational to any career or position. Employers across sectors will recognize the program experience on an applicant’s resume as a mark of a high-quality candidate.
Materials needed: Students must have access to an electronic device that allows them to use Google Chrome and Zoom video conferencing software. Students may also need a notebook and writing utensils for note taking. Laptops and mobile hotspots are available for students as loans from Indy Reads throughout the course. Students are also welcome to study before and after shifts (if they are enrolled in the Customer Service Skills Program) in the bookstore to use Indy Reads’ devices and internet connection.
Upon completion of the Customer Service Certification, Indy Reads will pay the testing fee for the participant. Indy Reads will also offer career counseling, resume writing, and soft skills development.
Program Schedule: The program is nine weeks long. Online instruction averages 5-6 hours a week.
Our Customer Service Skills Program
Indy Reads’ Customer Service Skills Program is an innovative pilot program designed to provide Central Indiana adults with intensive soft skills development while earning an industry-recognized credential, all at no cost, through Indy Reads’ bookstore.
In this program, students will earn while they learn, gaining real-world work experience in our bookstore at a living wage of $15 per hour. Additionally, students receive mentoring and professional development from our trained AmeriCorps members who serve as mentors.
Indy Reads’ Customer Service Skills Program combines our retail operations and adult literacy services programming into a single initiative to provide adult learners with education and training in a true workforce context.
Through this program, students will be able to get hands-on experience, individualized attention when learning job readiness concepts, and an industry-recognized credential, all while building soft skills.
Program Schedule: The program is nine weeks long and consists of a mix of online instruction and in-person work shifts. Online instruction averages 5-6 hours a week. Students in the Customer Service Skills Program can work up to 10 paid hours a week in the bookstore. Students must work at least 4 hours a week.
*If the student does not have a high school diploma or equivalency, they will be encouraged to complete an additional week in the HSE Fast Track course, providing another 12 hours of ABE instruction preparing them for the HiSET exam.
Location: 1066 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203
Bookstore Hours of Operation for shifts:
Wednesday - Saturday 11am-7pm
Sundays 11am-5pm
Update for 2022-2023 Enrollment:
Thank you for your interest in joining the Customer Service certification class at Indy Reads. Our intake of new students for the current program year (July 2022 - May 2023) has ended.
Please complete this interest form to give us your contact information. We will follow up with potential students in July to start orientations for the new program year that begins in August 2023.
Our prospective student form will re-open on July 10th, 2023.
Students seeking ELL classes are welcome to join our In-Person ELL Conversation Circle held at Indy Reads. The Conversation Circle group meets every Wednesday from 6-7pm at 1066 Virginia Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46203.
We look forward to meeting you soon!