Two in Five Employers Can't Find Skilled Talent – Are You the One They Are Looking For?

Forty percent of UK employers say sourcing qualified talent is their biggest headache in 2026. That is not a problem for them. That is an opportunity for you.

A survey published in April 2026 by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) reveals that 40% of UK organisations expect recruiting skilled candidates to be a major hurdle this year.

According to Universities UK, 40% of employers are still struggling to fill graduate jobs, and average applications per vacancy have dropped by a third. At the same time, the UK will need 6.6 million more graduates to fill professional roles up to 2035.

A Huntzen report also shows that 68% of UK employers now prioritise demonstrated skills over formal credentials, using practical assessments instead of just CVs.

But here is what employers are learning. Skills-based hiring works best when candidates have both practical abilities AND the structured knowledge that comes from a proper degree. Short courses give certificates. A degree gives depth, critical thinking, and systematic learning.

The job market is hungry for qualified professionals. Employers cannot find enough skilled people. You can position yourself exactly where the demand is.

A British degree gives you:

• A recognised qualification that opens global doors

• Structured knowledge that short courses cannot provide

• Flexibility to study while you work

• A clear foundation for career progression

At Business School England, our degree programmes are designed for working professionals. You earn a British qualification without putting your life on hold.

Office for National Statistics data shows the median salary for graduates is now £36,000. That is the reality for degree holders.

Employers are searching. The jobs are there. The salaries are there. The only question is: will you have the degree that gets you in the door?

A BSE degree is your answer. Practical. Flexible. Globally recognised.

Ready to become the candidate employers are searching for? Explore BSE's programmes today.