Over two thirds of employers in the UK prioritise soft skills over educational qualifications when hiring, according to new findings by Indeed. A survey of 500 employers and over 1,000 UK workers with A-levels or equivalent found that 29% of workers were not required to provide their results during job applications. Additionally, fewer than 1% of UK job postings on Indeed now reference A-levels or degrees.

That said, although soft skills are highly valued, over half (58%) of employers still regularly review A-level and BTEC results when screening candidates. Furthermore, 53% of employers consider these qualifications important for roles beyond entry-level positions. Despite this, only 15% of survey participants believe their A-level results were instrumental in securing employment.

Soft skills, “essential ingredients”

According to the UK managing director of Employment Hero, Kevin Fitzegerald: “Soft skills are like the eggs and flour in a cake — they’re the essential ingredients that make it rise.” He went on to say that without these, “no matter how much or fancy toppings you add, the cake simply won’t rise to its full potential,” and the same is true for recruitment. Indeed, a candidate might have an exceptional educational background, but if they can’t effectively communicate their potential, think creatively to address problems, collaborate well with others, or even arrive on time for meetings, they are unlikely to be the right fit.

Of course, this isn't meant to diminish the importance of education. It certainly matters. However, qualities such as tenacity, drive, and interpersonal skills often hold greater significance. 

This is echoed by Higher People founder Martin Drake, who says that practical experience has proven to be more valuable than academic degrees, People Management reports. “Aside from graduate schemes, if someone has a Master degree but no practical experience they’re invariably less likely to succeed with an application than someone with a lower level of educational study but some practical experience.”

Most important practical skills

The Indeed report indicates that the most valuable practical skills gained from A-levels and BTECs for the future workforce were writing (32%), problem-solving (31%), time management (28%), and critical thinking and analytical abilities (26%). These findings followed on from a LinkedIn report, which shows the number of job advertisements not requiring a degree has risen by 14.2% since 2021. LinkedIn's research also reveals that businesses are placing greater emphasis on hiring for soft skills, with 90% of UK employers indicating that soft skills are more important than ever.

Moreover, a report commissioned by University Alliance and conducted by CBI Economics found that employers prioritise a graduate's skills, field of study, and vocational experience gained during their degree over the reputation of the university they attended. Indeed, the research revealed that the majority (85%) of graduate recruiters believe vocational experience enhances a candidate's chances of making a strong impression during the interview stage.

Former education and employment secretary, Lord Blunkett said that the findings “underline how employers value the importance of practical skills and relevant work experience that graduates may undertake as part of their university degree, and how, in the eyes of employers, that gives them the edge in the contemporary job market.”