Skills Employers Want in 2026 - and How to Develop Them
You’ve probably heard the phrase: “It’s not just what you know, it’s what you can do”. When it comes to graduate jobs in 2026, that couldn’t be truer. In fact, 90% of companies report they make fewer hiring mistakes when they hire based on skills rather than degrees.
They also report that these skilled hires actually outperform traditional ones 94% of the time. Employers want candidates who can communicate, solve problems, adapt quickly, and bring real value to their teams, not just a piece of paper.
So, what are the key skills employers want right now? And how can you make sure you’re building them during your time studying a higher education course at UCEN Manchester? Let’s break it down.
Why skills matter more than ever to employers
The job market is changing fast. A recent report by the World Economic Forum revealed that nearly 40% of workplace skills will change by 2030. And closer to home, UK employers say they’re struggling to recruit graduates with the right skills, especially in IT, engineering, logistics and customer-facing roles.
In fact, a survey found that 80% of managers believe graduates aren't fully workplace ready. The gaps in skills include resilience, problem-solving, and communication. That might sound daunting, but here’s the good news: UCEN Manchester is already focused on helping you develop those abilities alongside your degree.
List of skills employers want in 2026
1. AI literacy and digital confidence
In 2026, employers aren’t just asking whether you’ve used AI, they want to know if you can use it responsibly, creatively, and alongside human judgement. Whether it’s prompting generative AI for design ideas, analysing data patterns, or spotting when AI has gone wrong, this is a defining skill of the next wave of work.
How UCEN Manchester helps: you’ll encounter AI across courses, from business case studies using predictive analytics, to creative degrees experimenting with digital tools. Careers workshops also introduce the ethical side of AI, preparing you to use it as an assistant alongside your own professional skills.
2. Sustainability mindset
With climate targets approaching fast, every sector is under pressure to work greener. Employers are looking for graduates who understand sustainability. Not only engineers and scientists, but marketers who can communicate it, managers who can implement it, and designers who can create sustainable products.
How UCEN Manchester helps: engineering and business modules integrate sustainability into their content, while creative courses explore eco-friendly production methods. You’ll graduate ready to answer employer questions like: “How would you make this project more sustainable?”
3. Hybrid communication skills
In 2026, communication means more than speaking clearly in a meeting. Employers now expect graduates to be fluent across hybrid environments, video calls, collaborative platforms, social media, and face-to-face. That ability to switch tone and style depending on the platform is highly valued.
How UCEN Manchester helps: from group projects that blend online and in-person teamwork to presentations assessed across media formats, you’ll practice exactly the type of communication employers now expect.
4. Human problem-solving and creativity
As AI handles more repetitive and analytical tasks, employers are hungry for the skills machines can’t match: curiosity, imagination, and creative problem-solving. They want graduates who can approach a problem sideways, ask the right questions, and come up with solutions nobody has thought of yet.
How UCEN Manchester helps: creative briefs, industry-linked projects and cross-discipline collaborations push you to think differently. You’re encouraged to prototype, pitch, and defend your ideas - skills directly transferable to the workplace.
5. Resilience and self-management
The fast pace of work means change is constant. Employers want graduates who can manage themselves, balancing deadlines, handling stress, and bouncing back from setbacks without losing motivation. This is a timeless skill, but in 2026 it’s sharper than ever because industries are evolving so quickly.
How UCEN Manchester helps: continuous assessment and live projects at UCEN Manchester simulate real-world pressures, helping you practice resilience in a safe environment. Support services also guide you on wellbeing strategies, because managing your mental health is part of career success.
6. Data storytelling
It’s not enough to crunch numbers, employers now want graduates who can interpret data and explain what it means to others. Whether you’re in marketing, healthcare, or sports, being able to turn raw data into a clear story is one of the most sought-after graduate skills employers want to see on a resume.
How UCEN Manchester helps: many courses integrate data projects, teaching you how to not just analyse numbers but also present them visually and persuasively. This is exactly the skill employers highlight as missing.
7. Ethical judgement and empathy
In a world grappling with AI, privacy, and climate responsibility, employers want graduates who can think ethically and bring empathy to their work. This is especially critical in roles where you’re working with people or making decisions that impact society.
How UCEN Manchester helps: whether it’s debating ethical dilemmas in health and social care, exploring inclusive design in the arts, or tackling real-world case studies in business, UCEN Manchester encourages you to put values at the centre of your decisions.
8. Cross-disciplinary collaboration
Employers are increasingly building teams that mix technologists, creatives, marketers, and analysts. The skill isn’t just working in a team, it’s working in a team where nobody speaks the same “language.” Being able to bridge gaps between disciplines is becoming a game-changer.
How UCEN Manchester helps: from joint projects between different departments to work placements in multi-disciplinary organisations, you’ll practice exactly this kind of collaboration.
9. Cyber awareness and digital security
With cybercrime costing the global economy an estimated $1.2 trillion annually as of 2025, employers in every sector are alert to digital risk. Even if you’re not working in IT, you’ll be expected to understand online safety, protect sensitive data, and follow best practices around privacy and security. It’s no longer just the job of IT departments, cyber awareness is a skill all graduates need.
How UCEN Manchester helps: our computing and business courses cover cybersecurity fundamentals, and students across all disciplines are introduced to safe digital practice. Whether you’re working with client information in health, customer data in business, or intellectual property in the arts, you’ll graduate with the cyber awareness employers now expect.
Want to develop your professional skills further? Learn more: How to Choose the Right Course for Your Career Goals
How to start building these skills now
You don’t have to wait until you graduate to start developing the skills employers want. Here’s how you can do it while studying at UCEN Manchester:
1. Say yes to group projects: they may feel challenging, but they’re the best training ground for teamwork, communication and leadership.
2. Take on placements or live briefs: real-world projects give you experience you can talk about in interviews.
3. Add micro-credentials: short courses in areas like AI, data, or project management will set your CV apart.
4. Use feedback as fuel: don’t shy away from constructive criticism. Employers love candidates who can learn and adapt.
5. Get involved outside of class: student societies, volunteering, and ambassador programmes all show initiative and build the soft skills employers want.
6. Tap into career services: from CV clinics to mock interviews, UCEN Manchester’s careers team can help you highlight your skills to employers.
Learn more: From College to Career: Career Advice for Young Adults
Develop skills employers want: study a course at UCEN Manchester
The world of work is changing fast, but the skills employers want in 2026 are clear: adaptability, creativity, digital confidence, and a strong awareness of emerging trends like AI, sustainability, and cybersecurity. By building these abilities now, you’ll be job-ready and future-ready.
At UCEN Manchester, every course is designed with your career in mind. Explore our higher education courses and enrol today to start developing the skills that will set you apart in the workplace.