Qualifications and credentials no longer the main currency of employability66% of UK organisations have now adopted skills-based hiring58% of candidates say they are more likely to apply for roles defined by skills11th May 2026, London: The UK hiring landscape is undergoing a fundamental shift from credentials to capabilities, as research from Michael Page’s 2026 Talent Trends report shows organisations increasingly prioritising skills over traditional qualifications.New data from the 2026 Talent Trends report shows that skills-based hiring is gaining traction across the UK labour market, with 66% of organisations reporting they have now adopted a skills-focused approach. At the same time, 58% of candidates say they are more likely to apply for roles defined by skills, rather than traditional qualifications or career history.Cost of mis-hires accelerates the changeThis shift is unfolding against a backdrop of rising employment costs, cautious candidate movement, and continued economic and political uncertainty. In this environment, avoiding mis-hires has shifted from a business goal to a necessity.This challenge is made more complex as AI becomes embedded on both sides of the hiring process. With 67% of hiring managers and an equal proportion of jobseekers now using AI tools, distinguishing polished applications from truly high-value hires has become more difficult.Yet amongst the growing adoption of skills-based hiring, one in four UK businesses (24%) have not yet implemented this approach.Hiring shifts toward skills as traditional credentials lose influenceThese developments are reshaping how organisations assess candidate suitability. While qualifications and career history remain relevant, they are becoming less decisive indicators of performance on their own.Employers cite the top benefits of a skills-first approach as helping identify candidates with the right capabilities (48%), increasing fairness and reducing bias (44%), and making it easier to match candidates to current and future skill needs (42%).As technology continues to reshape the workplace, employers are also placing greater emphasis on demonstrable human capabilities. Communication (44%), adaptability (38%), and interpersonal skills (36%) are among the most valued attributes identified by hiring managers, reflecting a continued focus on human-centred capabilities.However, while the majority of candidates are drawn to skills-first recruitment practices, many are not yet applying this mindset to their own career development. Data from Michael Page shows 61% of candidates continue to rely heavily on traditional signals like job experience on their CV, with only 15% emphasising hard skills*. By contrast, employers place more value on how candidates present their skills (33%) than on their previous career path or education (21%).Doug Rode, Michael Page regional managing director, UK and Ireland, says that: “Organisations and jobseekers are navigating an increasingly complex recruitment landscape. Hiring managers are under immense pressure to find the right candidate – every time – while jobseekers are adapting to processes reshaped by the rapid adoption of AI.“Against this backdrop, however, new opportunities are emerging. Our Talent Trends report confirms the shift we’ve been seeing towards skills-based hiring, with organisations moving beyond credentials and career history to focus on the capabilities that drive long-term success. The companies that thrive in this environment will be those that look beyond short-term gains and build stronger, skills-focused talent strategies for the future.” 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.*Data taken from an online survey conducted amongst Michael Page candidates between 19 August 2025 and 2 March 2026. There were 30,782 respondents globally, including 2,381 in the UK.
