Today’s employers are seeking more than just formal qualifications—they want candidates with employability skills developed through real-world experience. A recent report by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) reveals that only a small percentage of job adverts mention specific qualifications. Instead, employers are prioritising skills and experience, seeking young people with the essential skills to transition to the workplace successfully.
Employers want more than qualifications - they are demanding higher levels of skills
The NFER report, commissioned by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, reveals that between 2016 and 2023, only 8% of job adverts in England mentioned qualifications, with less than 5% specifically requesting technical or vocational qualifications. Even in technical fields, including healthcare, where qualifications are often mandated, employers still place a high importance on essential skills and practical experience.
The report reinforces calls for the curriculum and assessment review to prioritise essential skills development in education, and ensure these skills are developed with the same rigour as literacy and numeracy. The Skills Builder Universal Framework was designed with the Gatsby Foundation, CBI, BITC, CIPD, Skills Builder Partnership, The Careers & Enterprise Company and others to break down each of the 8 essential skills into 16 steps. It has been recommended in statutory guidance for careers education, for T-Level delivery, and for occupational standard design. Employers participating in the NFER study reported prioritising these essential skills over specific qualifications, citing the fact that qualifications do not fully convey a candidate’s ability to work well in diverse environments, respond to challenges, or contribute effectively to a team.
Bridging the gap between skills education and employment
A common challenge highlighted in the NFER report is the disconnect between academic qualifications and workplace skills. Many young people assume that formal qualifications alone are the gateway to employment, but this report confirms that employers increasingly value the essential skills which are currently lacking in the curriculum, assessment, and qualification pathways in England. Recent research by Speakers for Schools and the Social Mobility Foundation (2024) found that 43% of private school pupils have been advised on how to describe their skills and qualities, compared to just 32% of state school pupils. Research by the Skills Builder Partnership (Essential Skills Tracker 2022) also revealed that those from disadvantaged backgrounds have fewer opportunities to develop their essential skills. These reports underscore the importance of both educators and employers prioritising the explicit development of essential skills to close the gap.
Part-time jobs often help young people build crucial skills like adaptability and resilience, but experience is not evenly distributed. Those from higher socio-economic backgrounds are more likely to secure part-time roles and are also 6 percentage points more likely to receive advice on describing their skills and tailoring applications. Bridging this gap is essential to ensure all young people can develop the competencies needed to thrive in the workforce.
Skills Builder Partnership exists to address this gap through increasing the number of high quality opportunities young people have to develop their essential skills. At Skills Builder Partnership, we focus on helping learners to develop these essential skills in a structured, measurable way. The Skills Builder Universal Framework ensures that young people are equipped with the skills employers need, from Speaking and Teamwork to Aiming High and Staying Positive. Over 900 schools, colleges, organisations and employers are using the Universal Framework to ensure that young people are both prepared for today’s job market and equipped with the essential skills needed to adapt to new roles and responsibilities over time.
The Skills Builder Accelerator Programme works intensively with schools to embed essential skills across teaching and learning. By the end of the year-long programme, participating schools have a sustainable skills strategy, confident teaching staff, and demonstrable student progress. Students on the Accelerator make 2.7 times more progress in developing essential skills compared to their peers.
For example, at Ormiston Bushfield Academy, the programme has transformed their approach to skills education. Essential skills are now embedded into the curriculum, student planners, and extra-curricular activities like debate clubs and interdisciplinary projects. Students also engage in practical applications, such as reflecting on work experience placements or taking on leadership roles during assemblies. The academy reports significant progress in student confidence and teacher engagement, demonstrating the programme’s powerful impact.
A Future where essential skills are valued
As the workforce continues to evolve, employers will increasingly look for candidates who bring essential skills alongside technical knowledge and experience. By developing these skills in young people, 900 partners in the Skills Builder Partnership are helping bridge the gap between education and employment.
If you are passionate about preparing young people for successful careers through building their essential skills, explore how you can join the Skills Builder Partnership. Together, we can build a brighter future for young people, ensuring they have the essential skills and support they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
