The number of entry level jobs referencing a “Degree” has dropped sharply over the last five years, according to new analysis by Totaljobs suggesting employers are relaxing traditional education requirements for some junior positions.
According to analysis of more than 365,504 job adverts, released ahead of A-level results day this Thursday, the proportion of entry level jobs referencing a degree has dropped by 31% since 2019 and just 22% of junior positions now directly mention the term.
The regions with the sharpest decline in degree mentions in entry level job postings, are Yorkshire and East Anglia. Today, only 17% and 18% (respectively) of entry level job adverts in these regions feature the word ‘degree’.
The analysis suggests there are growing opportunities for people from lower socio-economic backgrounds, with previous Totaljobs research in partnership with the Social Mobility Foundation revealing that a lack of qualifications is a key factor holding people back from applying to jobs.
Julius Probst, European Labour Economist at Totaljobs, said:
“The path to a successful career has dramatically shifted over recent years and although university is still a hugely valuable route and requirement for many professions, there are an increasingly broad range of options for people starting out.
“Employers seeking to foster a diverse and successful working environment are looking beyond traditional talent pools, whether that’s targeting varying socio-economic groups, different parts of the UK, or supporting those with less education through more practical onboarding programmes.
“This should come as a relief to those on results day who may not have achieved what they hoped for or are simply questioning whether university is right for them.”
Totaljobs recently launched an Equality Boost Tool to support recruitment efforts in social mobility ‘cold spots’, or areas with a high number of Free School Meal recipients, to get jobs in front of people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds who may otherwise not know opportunities exist.
Totaljobs currently has more than 125,655 entry level jobs on its site that do not require a degree, some of which pay salaries up to £45,385. The some of the highest paying entry level positions available to apply for now include:
- Junior Project Manager
- Trainee Smart Meter Engineer
- Junior HR Business Partner
- Trainee Mortgage Advisor
