The College of Southern Idaho has reached an agreement with Dell Computer Inc. to train technicians who will work from home.

Jerry Beck, president of CSI, said the college will train up to 150 Dell employees who will provide technical support for consumer and corporate computing systems. He said the training will be ongoing and the frequency of the training will depend on how often Dell updates software and hardware.

He said the agreement is a good indication that Dell will continue a partnership with the college and the Twin Falls area.

"This is something new for Dell and us," said Beck, referring to the work-at-home program. "But I think it's something that we're both excited about."

He said CSI may also continue to train employees from other call centers - something that was common practice in the past.

Dell Computer Inc. announced in September that it will close its Twin Falls customer support call center by January, ending an eight-year run as one of the community's largest and most prominent employers.

Company officials said all 500 employees would be laid off from the call center, but up to 150 would be offered work-at-home positions.

The company did not specify how many of those positions will remain in Twin Falls.

Some former employees told the Times-News that they have been offered similar positions at call centers in Roundrock, Texas, and Oklahoma City, Okla.

They asked not to be identified because it's company policy not to speak with the media.

Dell officials did not immediately return calls from the Times-News.

Beck said the training program will be trimmed to accommodate fewer trainees.

"We currently have two classrooms that we used to train employees at the Dell call center," Beck said. "We will reduce that to one room, and convert the other into a n academic classroom."

In related news, Dell will shutter a computer manufacturing plant near Winston-Salem, N.C., laying off all 905 employees by Jan. 1.

Joshua Palmer may be reached at jpalmer@magicvalley.com