INDUSTRY // Edu. tech
Elite universities lose hiring edge as tech employers prioritise job-ready grads
Tech employers are placing less weight on university prestige and greater emphasis on practical skills and workplace readiness when hiring graduates, according to new research highlighting a major shift in tech hiring priorities across the UK.
The latest report from mthree, a job-ready talent and training provider to major bluechip companies and employers across tech, banking, business and the public sector, surveyed C-suite, director and HR manager-level IT leaders within medium to large UK enterprises.
It found that almost two-fifths( 39 %) of employers now consider graduates from all universities equally. This marks a sharp rise from just 23 % the previous year and signals a shift away from traditional academic hierarchies when it comes to entry-level hiring in tech. While holding a degree remains important, the university a graduate attended is no longer seen as a key differentiator, helping to open up graduate roles to a wider talent pool and plug skills gaps.
However, employers are increasingly concerned about job readiness. Almost a third( 31 %) say candidates are lacking the necessary soft skills( e. g. communication or problem-solving) they desire from new recruits. This figure is up from 25 % the previous year. Meanwhile, nearly two-thirds( 61 %) of businesses report a significant shortage of specific technical skills, up from 41 % the year before. This is likely exacerbated by the speed of innovation and widespread adoption of AI driving change across industries.
Alex Headley, CEO of mthree, said:“ Employers are increasingly focused on what graduates can deliver from day one. As technological change accelerates across every major industry, the ability to source and develop adaptable, job-ready talent is critical.
“ This research reinforces the need for businesses to adopt skills-first hiring models that help close the gap between education and employment. Our hire-train-deploy approach enables companies to access graduate talent with the technical and interpersonal skills required to deliver value in fast-evolving environments.”
Through its hire-train-deploy model, mthree sources high-potential graduates from a wide range of degree backgrounds. The business then provides them with in-demand technical and workplace skills, before placing them into roles with major employers where they can make an immediate impact. p
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