The UK job market is undergoing significant change in 2025, impacted by global political change and with increased focus on new technologies, sustainability, and diversity and inclusion practices. Here are five top skills employers will be looking for this year, and how you can help students prepare for their future.
Digital fluency
Basic computer literacy is no longer enough – today's employers demand tech skills, particularly in AI and big data. From AI applications to cybersecurity, candidates need confidence with emerging technologies.
Encourage students to explore learning opportunities in coding, data analytics, and AI. Even basic proficiency with tools like Microsoft Teams, Excel, and Canva adds value. Digital portfolios showcasing these skills can help students stand out.
Critical thinking and problem-solving
With industries like green energy and healthcare evolving rapidly, employers are looking for individuals who can assess complex challenges and make informed decisions. Building careers activities into the curriculum, with the opportunity for workplace simulations, will help students develop these skills and be able to talk about them in applications and interviews.
Resilience and adaptability
Young people are entering a workplace still adjusting to post-pandemic challenges like hybrid working, workload overwhelm, and multigenerational team collaboration. Help students build resilience by encouraging them to step outside their comfort zones, through activities like public speaking or volunteering, and remind them that all failure is a key part of learning. Also encourage them to share when they are struggling with their wellbeing.
Communication
Hybrid work has made strong communication skills essential, as employers seek candidates who can collaborate across mediums and build positive relationships. The ONS reported carers as the most advertised role in 2024, a trend likely to continue, emphasising the need for excellent communication in non-office based roles too. Encourage students to join team sports, drama clubs, or group activities to sharpen these skills.
Cultural awareness
The new Employment Rights Bill, introduced in 2024, includes further emphasis on diversity and inclusion. Employers will be looking for employees who will be the right cultural fit for their organisation.
Students who show empathy and understanding of diverse backgrounds; race, religion, gender, sexuality, and more, will stand out to employers. This makes these traits a key selling point for students, even with limited work history.
Three resources to support your students
- Virtual work experiences give them a taste of what a career could look like.
- Subject guides show them where a subject can take them.
- CV Builder can help students start a profile to share with employers.