Imagine finishing A-Levels or university ready to start your career, only to discover that the role you dreamed of has been scrapped, not because you weren’t good enough, but because that entry-level role no longer exists.
That’s what many graduates and early-career professionals in the UK are facing in 2025. Deloitte and PwC have reduced the number of graduate positions available in the UK by 500 this year. These types of roles were once a reliable route into big careers, but even in technology, a sector revered as “future proof,” computer science graduates are struggling to bag post-university positions. According to the BBC, just 57% of computer science graduates were in jobs 15 months after graduating, comparing poorly to 77% across other subjects. Vacancies for graduate jobs, internships and junior jobs with no degree requirement have dropped 32% since November 2022.
Why Are Entry-Level Roles Disappearing?
Another reason for this is AI and automation resulting in junior tasks being handled by software. As UK demand is being cut, we are also seeing many sectors having an oversupply of graduates, making work experience and real-world work skills a tipping point in hiring decisions. If employers cut too many entry-level roles, we risk future talent shortages.
“Reduced intake” doesn’t mean “no chance”!
Whatever stage of your career you are at, there are evidence backed ways to future proof yourself and your skills, and WBTC can help you with doing that.
Three ways you can strengthen your employability:
- Develop High Demand digital skills. A growth area is in jobs requiring AI knowledge, data analysis, and general digital literacy skills. Upskilling yourself with short, focused training opportunities on these topics can help you stay competitive. WBTC’s professional development workshops on using Excel to analyse data, our IT: Intelligent Time Savers and Introduction to AI for the Workplace delivered online are short, practical, and directly usable. Perfectly designed to help you achieve future proof knowledge and skills.
- Gain Hands-on experience. From early career starters to experienced professionals, employers are looking for proof of what you can do, not just what you know. Real-world projects, apprenticeships or side projects give you a portfolio of evidence that sets you apart.
- Human skills are top focus. The growth of AI has had a positive impact – employers are increasingly valuing the human skills of creativity, teamwork, negotiation, and empathy. 64% of UK employers say soft skills are more important than technical ones in hiring decisions. These interpersonal skills are “AI complementary”, much harder for AI to replicate and are vital for leadership and management roles. Attending WBTC’s Courageous Conversations, Coaching and Mentoring or Resilience and Growth Mindset short online workshops can support you to hone these vital skills to help you stay ahead.
(Bonus tip) Stay curious & keep learning. The pace of change is fast. New roles are being created, old ones transformed. Being someone who learns continuously, adapts and explores new tools or fields will help you stay ready. WBTC supports lifelong learning; you can pick up something new in any workshop or develop a deeper skillset over several sessions.
Skills most in demand (2025–2030):
- Basic digital skills
- Advanced IT and programming
- Technology design, engineering & maintenance
- Data analytics (fastest growing according to upwork.com) and machine learning
- Generative AI modelling
- Creativity and analytical thinking
- Advanced communication & negotiation
- Interpersonal skills, empathy & leadership
- Resilience, flexibility & adaptability
- Curiosity and lifelong learning
Stacatruc Ltd feedback:
“Working with WBTC has significantly enhanced the training and development of our Stacatruc team by fundamentally listening and giving time.
Helping us to achieve structured learning paths and implement practical experience that align with our business goals. This partnership has allowed our employees such as to acquire new skills and knowledge, not only that, but they also gave the correct tools and templates to help boost performance and giving the team confidence”.
Traditional graduate roles are shrinking, so exploring alternatives like apprenticeships and targeted short courses may be your best move. If you think you have a gap in your CV, WBTC has you covered with workshops and support tailored for where you are.
Now is the time to invest in your skills, future-proofing starts with the choices you make today.
Reach out to us at info@wbtc-uk.com to find out how we can help you.
By Hazel Thomas, Training Consultant at WBTC.
Discover more of what we do at WBTC!
Sources:
- McKinsey Global Institute
A new future of work: The race to deploy AI and raise skills in Europe and beyond
- Up Work:
The Most In-Demand Skills for 2025: Navigating Skills-Based Work in a Dynamic Economy
- Business Insider:
PwC is cutting the number of grads it hires. The chief of its 25,000-person UK business explained why.
- Fortune
PwC’s U.K. chief admits he’s cutting back entry-level jobs and taking a ‘watch and wait’ approach to see how AI changes work
- The Guardian
Number of new UK entry-level jobs has dived since ChatGPT launch – research