In 2025, many UK employers shifted their approach to recruitment by focusing more on skills than formal qualifications. Ongoing skills shortages, fast-changing job requirements and the need for more inclusive hiring led organisations to move away from degree-led recruitment.

Research from the CIPD showed that 83% of UK employers prioritised skills over qualifications when hiring. This change was most visible in sectors such as technology, AI and green industries, where practical skills mattered more than academic background – however the food manufacturing industry has seen this shift too – is it permanent or a short-term fill gap? Only time will tell.

Skills-based hiring helped employers reach a wider range of candidates, including career changers, self-taught professionals and those with vocational experience. Employers also found that skills assessments and practical interviews were often better at identifying the right candidates than qualifications alone.

By the end of 2025, skills-focused recruitment had become a common approach across the UK, helping businesses hire more effectively and build stronger, more adaptable teams.