This research surveys employers in the United States on their attitudes towards credentials and certifications in place of traditional four year degrees. The research found that the shift toward skills-based hiring is starting to occur, but is slow and remains more “in theory” than “in practice.” Additionally, the research shows:
- Many employers (62%) occasionally hire workers lacking required degrees, but few do it often (12%).
- While most employers (76%) say they prioritize skills over educational attainment when hiring, only one in ten say the value of educational attainment has decreased relative to job skills.
- Ultimately, most say their organization needs to place even greater emphasis on skills and less on education in future (66%).
This research is intended for:
- Learning and development managers and leadership
- Human resource managers with urgent hiring needs
Use this research to:
- Reframe your thinking around qualified candidates
- Expand your candidate sourcing pools and evaluation criteria
- Collect credible data on the credential landscape