“Chicago, IL (January 31, 2014) – President Obama addressed the nation this morning to discuss the White House’s plan to boost the hiring of the long-term unemployed. Gregory Merrity of Chicago, who landed a full-time position as an insurance advisor with Chicago-based GoHealth, was featured in the President’s speech and at the White House for the event. The President highlighted Merrity’s struggle to find a job and utilize three decades of sales experience, until he was placed in a position at GoHealth. GoHealth is the nation’s leading online private exchange for individuals and families to compare health insurance quotes and enroll in quality health insurance plans.
Merrity was placed as a licensed insurance advisor thanks to GoHealth’s partnership with the organization, Skills for Chicagoland’s Future (SCF). SCF aims to close the skills gap in Chicago and Cook County by helping to match businesses that have current unmet hiring needs with qualified, unemployed job seekers. As a result of this match, Gregory holds his position with GoHealth today.
Gregory Merrity worked in sales throughout his entire career. In December 2011, his department was eliminated and Merrity found himself struggling to capitalize on his work experience for the first time in his life. In April 2013, after seeing a news article about SCF, he went to its website and created a job seeker profile. He soon received a call from a recruiter who told him about a train-to-hire opportunity with GoHealth.
In his position, Gregory takes calls from people interested in learning about GoHealth’s insurance options, especially those related to the rollout of the Affordable Care Act. He helps people understand their coverage options, recommends health insurance plans based on their individual needs, and helps them enroll in the plan of their choice. Gregory enjoys educating people about a complicated but important issue, and has already been helping his friends and family.
Skills for Chicagoland’s Future (SCF) responded to the hiring needs of GoHealth by learning about the needs of the company and delivering high-quality candidates specifically for their Insurance Advisor and Sales Center Representative roles. SCF met with GoHealth in spring 2013 and since then, more than 160 unemployed Chicagoans have begun earning pay checks at GoHealth and making meaningful contributions as members of the workforce.
To coordinate an interview with GoHealth Licensed Advisor, Gregory Merrity, please contact Anna Brodetsky at ABrodetsky@5wpr.com/(646) 430-5146. For more information on GoHealth please visit www.GoHealthInsurance.com or from your mobile device at www.gohealthinsurance.com/mobile.
