A university degree still holds value, but it is no longer the default benchmark for employability. Across many industries, employers are shifting towards skills-based hiring, where portfolios, practical experience and proof of competence matter more than where you studied.
According to Jessica Hawkey, Managing Director at redAcademy, this shift has accelerated over the past few years, especially for mid-level roles. Employers want candidates who can contribute from day one. Research supports this change. The World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report 2025 shows that many South African companies are removing degree requirements from job applications altogether.
Technology leads the shift
The technology sector sits at the forefront of this change. Roles once considered degree-dependent, including software development, quality assurance and cloud infrastructure, are increasingly filled by candidates who demonstrate skills through real work.
Tech evolves fast. Tools, frameworks and platforms change constantly. A multi-year academic programme risks falling behind industry needs before a student even graduates. The same WEF report highlights the scale of this challenge, noting that employers expect 39% of core job skills to change by 2030.
Learning is not disappearing, it is changing
Training still matters, but relevance matters more. Learning disconnected from real tools, delivery pipelines and teams quickly loses value. A curriculum designed years in advance often struggles to keep pace with the workplace.
Employers want more than technical knowledge. They look for people who understand teamwork, communication, accountability and workplace dynamics. These skills strongly influence hiring decisions and early productivity.
Many graduates only realise after entering the workplace that theory alone does not prepare them for real-world demands.
Why work-aligned learning matters
The difference between exposure and integration is critical. Traditional internships often offer limited growth. Learners observe the workplace but remain on the edges of meaningful output. Tasks lean toward admin rather than real contribution.
Integrated learning models focus on outcomes. Learners work with real tools, inside real environments, supported by mentoring and clear performance expectations. This approach aligns training directly with industry needs and accelerates readiness.
AI is changing roles, not removing them
Artificial intelligence is reshaping how work gets done. Tasks such as testing, error detection, and optimisation are increasingly automated. This reduces time spent on repetitive tasks, but it does not eliminate the need for skilled professionals.
Instead, AI shifts the skills required. Learners who understand how to work alongside these tools gain an advantage. Employers now value adaptability, problem-solving, and continuous learning.
What employers really want
Hiring decisions increasingly favour candidates who show intent and commitment. Employers look for people who researched their field, chose a path deliberately and stayed accountable to it.
Qualities such as grit, ownership and pride in work matter as much as technical ability.
Degrees are no longer a guaranteed return on investment
Many families still push matrics towards long degrees, but this expectation no longer aligns with the job market. Degrees cost time and money, and many graduates still struggle to find relevant work.
Structured, work-aligned programmes offer a faster, more realistic route into careers. Early exposure to real environments builds confidence, competence and momentum.
That balance between relevance and readiness defines modern employability. It is also the foundation of redAcademy’s approach, in which learners gain real experience in delivery environments that mirror the pace and structure of the teams they aim to join.
