Addressing skills shortages with non-graduates

Jay Shen at Transreport argues that the current educational system is failing to address the technology skills shortage and that organisations should not only recruit graduates

 

As the technology landscape continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, the traditional narrative of university education as the sole gateway to a career in tech is rapidly becoming obsolete. Recent data from the UK’s Department for Education reveals that nearly 35% of young people now enter higher education.

 

Yet this statistic masks a critical underlying issue of the current educational system which fails to address the tech skills shortage. The traditional university pathways simply cannot keep pace with the rapid technological changes creating a disconnect between academic learning and real-world technological demands. 

 

In UK, as in many countries, there is still persistent pressure on young people to follow a linear academic route – moving from school to university to a corporate career. Yet this route fails to acknowledge the alternative pathways to technological excellence.

 

Another important factor to consider is the existing barrier to high education caused due to prohibitive costs, socio-economic constraints, and limited access preventing many talented individuals from pursuing university degrees.

 

Combined, this leads to a narrow talent pipeline with a gap which cannot be bridged by traditional recruitment models alone. In addition, there are an estimated 7.5 million people lacking basic digital skills, demonstrable of the tech skills shortage the UK currently faces,. 

 

At Transreport, we know that innovation doesn’t emerge solely from standardised educational backgrounds, but from diverse perspectives, lived experiences and a passion for solving real-world challenges. Our approach recognises that talent is not confined to lecture halls or academic credentials.

 

A McKinsey report underscores this perspective, finding that companies with diverse talent are 35% more likely to achieve above-average financial returns.

 

Our own journey in creating technology which addresses real world challenges by revolutionising accessible travel technology demonstrates that breakthrough solutions often come from unexpected sources. 

 

The tech industry faces a critical challenge: persistent talent shortages coupled with an increasingly complex technological ecosystem. By 2025, the World Economic Forum predicts that 50% of all employees will need reskilling as technology adoption increases. This projection demands a radical rethink of recruitment strategies within the tech industry.

 

The tech recruitment landscape is shifting dramatically – with companies like Google, Apple, and IBM removing degree requirements for many positions. Historically, hiring managers leaned towards candidates with 4-year degrees, even when more qualified individuals were available.

 

However, industry trends are now shifting towards skills-based hiring. Forbes highlights this transformation, emphasising the growing importance of practical skills over traditional education.

 

By removing degree requirements, tech companies can tap into a vast reservoir of potential that includes career changers, self-taught technologists and individuals from non-traditional backgrounds. At Transreport, our passenger assistance is a testament to this approach – built by a diverse team whose strength lies in understanding complex user needs, demonstrating empathy, and delivering practical solutions. 

 

The European tech ecosystem is at a pivotal moment. As digital transformation accelerates, businesses must reimagine talent acquisition. The European Commission estimates that Europe could face a shortage of nearly 500,000 tech workers by 2025, making alternative recruitment strategies not just innovative, but essential.

 

At Transreport, our message is clear: the future of tech is not about where you studied, but about your capacity to learn, adapt, and innovate. For tech companies ready to break free from conventional recruitment models, the opportunity is immense – a chance to build a more dynamic, representative and ultimately, more effective teams.

 

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Jay Shen is Founder and CEO of Transreport

 

Main image courtesy of iStockPhoto.com and FangXiaNuo