More than half (55%) of call centre managers have seen speculative job applications rise since last year, according to new research from Hays Contact Centres.

The research also shows that 58% of agents want to develop a long-term career in the call centre industry, 35% of workers are educated to degree level, up 10% from 2009, while 54% of call centre workers feel call centres offer a clear career path.

Geoff Sims, managing director of Hays Contact Centres, says: “Call centres are becoming more demanding of their staff so it isn’t surprising that the profession is attracting more people with degrees, particularly when we are still faced with a challenging economy and high unemployment levels.”