More than half of employers struggle to hire graduates with AI skills
A survey by Pearson and AWS of 2,700 people across six countries has found that 53% of employers struggle to recruit graduates with the right AI skills. Higher education leaders are more optimistic. Some 78% believe they are meeting employer expectations on AI preparation. But only 14% of graduates say they use AI proficiently in their work. The gap shows up in the US, UK, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam and Malaysia.
Employers used to hire entry-level graduates based mainly on their degrees in fields like geography or law. AI skills were rare asks, even in marketing or research roles. Universities focused on traditional knowledge, leaving most new hires to pick up tech on the job. Now AI proficiency tops job descriptions everywhere, but education has not kept pace. This survey exposes the mismatch, with employers frustrated and graduates underprepared. It hands an edge to the few who can show practical AI use alongside their non-technical background.
Analysis
This shortage is your open door, since universities lag and most grads stay generic. Skip more applications into the void and build one ChatGPT-prompted project from your degree field, like AI-summarised market trends for geography. Pin that portfolio piece to your LinkedIn profile today to signal competence and slash rejection rates.
Citation
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