Tech employers prioritise job-ready grads, elite unis lose hiring edge
Tech employers are placing less weight on university prestige and greater emphasis on practical skills and workplace readiness when hiring graduates, according to new research highlighting a major shift in tech hiring priorities across the UK.
The latest report from mthree, a job-ready talent and training provider to major blue-chip companies and employers across tech, banking, business, and the public sector, surveyed C-suite, director, and HR manager-level IT leaders within medium to large UK enterprises.
It found that almost two-fifths (39%) of employers now consider graduates from all universities equally. This marks a sharp rise from just 23% the previous year and signals a shift away from traditional academic hierarchies when it comes to entry-level hiring in tech. While holding a degree remains important, the university a graduate attended is no longer seen as a key differentiator, helping to open up graduate roles to a wider talent pool and plug skills gaps.
However, employers are increasingly concerned about job readiness. Almost a third (31%) say candidates are lacking the necessary soft skills (e.g. communication or problem-solving) they desire from new recruits. This figure is up from 25% the previous year. Meanwhile, nearly two-thirds (61%) of businesses report a significant shortage of specific technical skills, up from 41% the year before. This is likely exacerbated by the speed of innovation and widespread adoption of AI driving change across industries.
Alex Headley, the CEO of mthree, an organisation helping to close hiring gaps through its hire-train-deploy model, commented: “Employers are increasingly focused on what graduates can deliver from day one. As technological change accelerates across every major industry, the ability to source and develop adaptable, job-ready talent is critical.
“This research reinforces the need for businesses to adopt skills-first hiring models that help close the gap between education and employment. Our hire-train-deploy approach enables companies to access graduate talent with the technical and interpersonal skills required to deliver value in fast-evolving environments.”
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