70% of manufacturing organisations now practise skills-based hiring (vs. 66% nationally)70% of manufacturing professionals are more likely to apply for a skills-based role (vs. 58% nationally)100% of manufacturing hiring managers say skills-based hiring delivers clear benefits 22nd June 2026, London: New research from Michael Page's 2026 Talent Trends report shows skills-based hiring – the practice of selecting candidates on what they can do, rather than the qualifications or job titles on their CV – is gaining significant ground across UK manufacturing. Seven in ten (70%) manufacturers have now adopted skills-based hiring, ahead of the 66% national average, and 100% of manufacturing hiring managers say the approach delivers clear benefits.This shift is particularly timely. According to Michael Page's research, 30% of manufacturing organisations cite the inability to find candidates who meet their skills requirements as their biggest recruitment challenge. Against the growing skills gap in the sector, a skills-based approach is opening doors to a broader, more diverse pool of candidates – identifying potential that a CV alone may never surface. From ‘perfect on paper’ to potential: the case for widening the talent poolSkills-based hiring widens the talent pool – opening the door to candidates from adjacent roles who may not look like an obvious fit on paper, but whose skills are equally relevant and transferable. With 27% citing better identification of capabilities and 29% reporting reduced turnover through stronger role fit, the approach gives hiring managers the confidence to look beyond CVs to focus on skills and potential.Candidates are responding too. Seven in ten (70%) manufacturing professionals say they are more likely to apply for a role advertised on a skills-first basis, ahead of the 58% national average – a clear signal that the approach works as a talent attraction tool as well as an assessment process. The rise of the human-centric hireThe most sought-after manufacturing professional in 2026 is no longer defined by technical skills alone. As automation takes on more of the mechanical and transactional workload, employers are placing growing value on candidates who can pair technical capability with strong communication skills and emotional intelligence. Manufacturing hiring managers rank interpersonal skills (15%), technical expertise (13%), and analytical thinking (13%) as the capabilities they prioritise in prospective candidates. As demand for this combination grows, specialist recruiters with deep sector knowledge and long-standing candidate relationships are uniquely placed to find the best talent. Ruth Hancock, Practice Director – Manufacturing at Michael Page says:“Manufacturing is operating in a tight talent market. The businesses navigating this best are the ones broadening their perspective in terms of who they’ll consider. “What employers need most right now is people who combine technical excellence with well-developed interpersonal and communication skills. Skills-based hiring is the most reliable framework for finding them – shifting the focus from where someone has been to what they can do, and who they could grow into. Paired with a specialist recruiter who knows the sector deeply and possesses long-standing candidate relationships, skills-based hiring is where the real opportunity lies for manufacturing businesses looking to build resilient, high-performing teams.”To explore more insights from Michael Page's 2026 Talent Trends report, click here.-Ends- About Michael PageMichael Page is one of the world's best-known and most respected recruitment consultancies. We put people into jobs and build careers. We are customer-led, people-powered and insight driven. With operations in 36 countries, Michael Page provides recruitment services and career opportunities at a local, regional, and global level.MethodologyAll figures, unless otherwise stated, are from an online survey conducted by Michael Page and UNLIMITED (now part of Accenture Song).Talent Trends 2026 is a 20-minute, quantitative online survey, conducted by UNLIMITED on behalf of Michael Page between 5th November 2025 and 17th December 2025.A total of 59,820 surveys were completed with candidates of which 9,217 were also clients. This includes 47,727 through Michael Page's database, and a further 12,093 via a research panel partner.Data has been weighted by country to the known proportion of each country based on Michael Page's database.
