Businesses are drowning in applicants — and still can’t find quality candidates to fill job vacancies.
Customer service hiring is one of the most urgent pain-points employers are facing right now.
Too many applicants. Not enough qualified applicants.
Education gaps are a huge reason why.
College grads are entering the workforce with knowledge that isn’t translating to real-world skills employers need.
So some businesses have had enough of waiting for perfect candidates to surface.
Instead of waiting for talent to come to them, employers — from those hiring for Tucson, AZ vacancies in customer service to businesses across the country — are partnering with schools now to ensure there will be qualified candidates when vacancies open up.
Here’s what employers need to know about this rising trend
- Why Education Skills Gaps Are Growing
- Why Customer Service Hiring is Taking the Hit
- Examples of Employer-Education Partnerships
- Benefits of Partnering With Educational Programs
- How to Partner With Local Schools and Colleges
Why Education Skills Gaps Are Growing
Employers have been screaming about this issue for years. Yet it just keeps growing.
Today, 87% of executives report they’re either currently dealing with skill gaps or expect to within the next few years. That number is only increasing.
Why?
- Technology is constantly advancing — while college curricula stays the same
- Graduates are learning theory, but lack experience
- Employers want job-ready hires. Not months-long training processes.
College data backs up what employers are experiencing.
Only 30% of 2025 graduates secured full-time employment relevant to their degree program. 48% felt they didn’t have enough experience to apply for an entry-level position.
That is a major issue.
It also explains why employers are no longer waiting for talent to come to them. They’re building the pipeline earlier.
Why Customer Service Hiring is Taking the Hit
Listening to voicemails, becoming instantly familiar with CRM software, remaining cheerful while dealing with difficult customers.
Not entry-level anymore.
Customer service representatives are expected to hit the ground running on day one. With little to no experience.
They must:
- Problem solve on the fly — Without hovering over their shoulder
- Master digital platforms — Learn the CRM
- Multi-task — Jump between phone calls, emails, chat tickets, and more
- Stay friendly — No matter how difficult customers are each shift
Skills that aren’t learned from a textbook.
This is the struggle employers are up against with customer service hiring. Candidates are plentiful. Skills that match employers’ expectations? Not so much.
There will always be applicants to sift through. Businesses that figure out how to close this skills gap will have incredible leverage when it comes to attracting and retaining top talent.
Examples of Employer-Education Partnerships
School partnerships aren’t just about writing checks to local colleges.
Employers who are looking towards the future build relationships with schools that allow for hands-on, practical training that translates to real skills. Here are some real-life examples.
Influencing Curriculum
Some of the most effective school partnerships allow employers to directly shape what’s being taught to students.
Forget about basic customer service 101, and focus on what the employer actually needs candidates to know. From specific software to company culture.
Students graduate with a working knowledge of what the job will actually require.
Apprenticeships & Placement Programs
There’s an increasing trend toward apprenticeship and placement programs right now.
80% of employers say they’re not just open to creating apprenticeship programs — they’re actively making them a reality.
Students get experience, and employers get a chance to really see how those students perform on the job. It takes much of the risk out of customer service hiring.
Clever, right?
Work-Integrated Programs
Students earn their qualifications while working towards them on the job.
Work-integrated programs allow students to take on placements or co-op programs as part of their studies. Basically, they get paid (or unpaid) work experience at a real business that teaches them what they need to know to graduate.
Companies get to know these candidates long before graduation. Once they finish their diploma or degree, employees are ready to roll.
Ready with knowledge of the specific business. And the specific role they will be performing.
Benefits of Partnering With Educational Programs
One of your competitors is probably involved in a school partnership already.
Here’s why.
Benefits of building a relationship with schools now:
- Candidates require less training when they start.
- Employees stay longer (and perform better) because they were hired for their skill, not learned on the job.
- There’s been time to really evaluate these candidates. Cultural fit is stronger.
- Steady flow of qualified candidates that have already been vetted.
- First access to graduates. Before competitors even know they’re available.
Customer service representatives need to be superhuman.
They need the right skillset. But they also need to mesh well with company culture. Evaluating candidates in a work environment before hiring is a huge advantage.
How to Partner With Local Schools and Colleges
The hard part is already done. Employers just need to take action.
Here’s how to get started:
- Find local colleges or schools with relevant programs.
Customer service programs can often be found in business, communications, and hospitality departments. That’s the starting point.
- Offer to be on the school’s advisory board.
Businesses can join an existing school’s advisory board to help influence curriculum. It doesn’t require huge time commitments, but allows for real change.
- Develop an internship or placement program.
Got students eager to work for you? Create an official program to continue cycling them through the business long-term.
- Build the brand on campus.
Visit the school. Attend job fairs. Host information sessions. Get students familiar with the business while they’re still studying.
- Start evaluating and hiring candidates from the pipeline.
Repeat for every student intake cycle. Rinse and repeat.
Building relationships with educational institutions doesn’t have to be complicated.
Businesses that have a leg up on customer service hiring aren’t trying fancy new recruitment tactics. They started building their pipeline long before their competitors did.
Wrap Up
Employers have a candidate problem.
More candidates than ever are applying to job postings. Fewer of them have the skills employers need — especially when it comes to customer service roles.
So why wait for schools to supply enough qualified candidates?
Partner with schools now. Influence what students are learning while they’re in college.
To recap:
- Reach out to local schools with appropriate programs.
- Join school advisory boards to help shape curriculum.
- Create internship or placement programs to feed the business qualified candidates.
- Allow students to earn credentials through work-integrated learning programs.
- Get involved with students while they’re in school to build awareness as a potential employer.
Educational partnerships allow employers to evaluate potential candidates long before the next customer service job opens up.
And competitors are already doing this.