Ahead of A-Level results day on Thursday, UK students have been reassured that more employers are scrapping degree requirements.
As students may not receive preferred grades to support the transition to higher education courses, they have been advised that employees are now looking “beyond traditional degrees”.
UK job postings not requiring a degree have increased by as much as 14.2 per cent in the share of UK job posts since 2021, according to LinkedIn data.
Meanwhile, companies are putting even more emphasis on the importance of soft skills such as collaboration and adaptability, with 9 in 10 UK employers stating these are more important than they have ever been.
It comes as students across England, Wales and Northern Ireland are due to receive their A-level results and make decisions on what to study next as they hear from respective universities about acceptances.
Charlotte Davies, a LinkedIn career expert, said: “Employers are increasingly looking beyond traditional degrees, with [our] data showing companies are five times more likely to search for candidates based on skills. Not having a university degree doesn’t diminish [the] chances of securing a great job.”
She advised that the most sought-after skills can be developed by volunteering, taking online courses, or gaining work experience.
Additional data from the employment-focussed social media platform showed that work experience is becoming increasingly valued as the job posts mentioning apprenticeships alone rose in sectors such as retail (58.7 per cent), utilities (60.6 per cent) and technology (16.2 per cent).
The findings come as a survey by CBI Economics found only 15 per cent of 252 employers said the grade obtained by the graduate was the most important factor for hiring.
A Department for Education spokesperson said in response to the survey commissioned by University Alliance: “There are a huge range of options available to start and progress in a rewarding career, including an apprenticeship, going to university or taking a vocational qualification.
“We have already established Skills England to boost opportunities across the country and have refocused the Office for Students to prioritise the financial stability of the higher education sector and deliver better quality and outcomes for students.
“We will continue to back our world-class universities as engines of growth and opportunity.”
