Zahawi asks: Do so many jobs really need a degree?

EMPLOYERS should move away from advertising ‘graduate only’ jobs in a bid to diversify the workforce, the Education Secretary will say this week.

Nadhim Zahawi is set to urge bosses to look at bringing on more apprentices or people with T levels – new technical-based qualifications – rather than just those with degrees amid his push for a more skills-based economy.

Unless a role requires a specific degree, Mr Zahawi wants companies to look outside the usual talent pool to help fill the UK’s 1.3million job vacancies.

Ahead of a speech at the Royal Institute of Arts, Commerce and Manufacturing, Mr Zahawi has written an open letter to employers calling time on graduate-only job adverts.

He said: ‘All too often I hear employers’ frustrations with a limited pool of graduates, but we are still seeing job ads that state “graduate” in the essential criteria.

‘So, I’m urging employers to think differently about their recruitment. Think about whether they really need someone with a degree.

‘The chances are there will be someone with other relevant skills, experiences, or qualifications that they are looking for.

‘Our economic strength will only turn on our ability to nurture and utilise the full range of talent available to us. So too will our efforts to level up opportunity, because upskilling people gives them chances to create a better life and regenerate their regions.’

Mr Zahawi has branded his Skills Bill as the ‘backbone’ of his plans to reform the route from learning to earning and has committed to increasing apprenticeship funding to £2.7billion by 2024-25.

He continues to push for T levels, launched in 2020, to be as trusted as A levels.