What employers want in 2026: Skills every graduate should develop

From communication to data-driven decision making, discover the graduate skills UK employers value most in 2026 and how practical learning builds real employability with GBS.

In recent years, advances in artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), automation and data analytics have become a part of everyday workplaces across business, finance and project environments. As organisations adapt to these changes, their expectations of new graduates have shifted too. 

For students graduating in 2026, employability skills will matter more than ever. They are often the difference between being shortlisted and being overlooked. Employers are not only asking what you studied. They are asking how you think, how you communicate and how you handle real situations at work. 

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The real challenge for you is not just keeping up with every new technology but also understanding which skills employers value most in recent graduates. By developing them now, you can prepare for the workplace of today and tomorrow. 

Employability skills UK employers prioritise in 2026

Across business, finance and project environments, employers are focusing on skills that help people respond to change, manage risk and work well with others. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, 39% of key employability skills are expected to change by 2030. Technical knowledge still matters, but it is your ability to apply it in real situations that will make all the difference. 

Digital and technical confidence 

One of the most important graduate skills to prepare for the future of the workforce is the ability to use technology as part of everyday work. UK employers are not looking for specialists in every tool. They are looking for graduates who can use digital systems confidently to support decisions, communication and efficiency. 

    • Digital literacy: Using common workplace platforms such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Teams, Outlook, project management tools like Trello or Asana and cloud systems like SharePoint or Google Workspace to manage tasks, communicate and organise work without constant guidance. 
    • Data-driven decision-making skills: Working with basic business, financial or operational data such as sales figures, budgets, timelines, performance dashboards or customer data to spot trends, compare options and justify decisions. 
    • AI awareness in the workplace: Understanding how AI tools are used for tasks like data analysis, forecasting, content drafting or automation, as well as knowing when human judgement is needed to sense-check outputs, manage risk or make ethical decisions. 
    • Cyber and data awareness: Handling sensitive information such as customer records, financial data, employee details or project documents responsibly and understanding why data protection, confidentiality and compliance matter in day-to-day work. 
    • Process improvement thinking: Using digital tools to streamline routine tasks such as reporting, scheduling, tracking progress or approvals, helping teams save time, reduce errors and work more efficiently. 

Business and strategic thinking 

These graduate skills help you move beyond completing tasks to understanding how your work supports wider organisational goals. 

    • Problem-solving: Breaking down workplace challenges such as missed deadlines, resource shortages or process gaps and proposing practical solutions that can be implemented within real constraints. 
    • Commercial awareness: Understanding how everyday decisions affect costs, revenue, productivity or customer value and recognising that time, money and resources are always connected. 
    • Risk awareness: Identifying potential issues early, such as delays, budget overruns or compliance risks and thinking through their impact before they escalate. 
    • Planning and prioritisation: Managing competing deadlines, balancing short-term tasks with longer-term goals and adjusting plans when priorities change. 
    • Decision-making under pressure: Making informed choices when information is incomplete, deadlines are tight or stakeholders disagree, while remaining accountable for outcomes. 

Human, communication and adaptability skills 

As workplaces become more collaborative and fast-moving, the skills employers want from graduates in the UK shape how effectively you work with others. 

    • Communication skills employers value: Explaining ideas clearly in meetings, writing concise emails and presenting information in a way that others can understand and act on. 
    • Professional communication skills: Adjusting tone and language depending on whether you are speaking to managers, clients, teammates or external partners. 
    • Teamwork and collaboration: Contributing reliably to group work, respecting different perspectives and supporting shared goals rather than working in isolation. 
    • Adaptability: Responding positively to changes in tools, roles or expectations and learning quickly when tasks or priorities shift. 
    • Emotional awareness: Recognising how your behaviour affects others, managing feedback professionally and building trust in workplace relationships. 

How to prepare for the future job market in 2026 

How to prepare for the future job market in 2026

Boosting your employability skills for the job market of 2026 is about taking action and learning through opportunities while you study. At Global Banking School (GBS), students are supported to build these skills through practical projects, tailored careers support and entrepreneurial experiences that mirror real workplace challenges. At GBS, you can use your time to develop the skills employers value most: 

1. Build confidence and readiness with career support 

GBS offers a dedicated Careers and Placement Hub to help you create professional CVs and cover letters. You can also explore job interview tips, placement opportunities and much more. We help you communicate your strengths to real employers. This support will allow you to translate your academic learning into work-ready employability skills, such as professional communication, planning priorities and presenting yourself with confidence. 

2. Gain real experience through work placements 

Certain courses at GBS include mandatory work placements supported by the Careers Hub. It will allow you to practise decision-making, teamwork and project execution in authentic environments. These placements will help you increase your employability and gain real experience to include on your CV and discuss in interviews. 

3. Join the Enterprise Hub and Mastermind sessions to build entrepreneurship and strategic thinking 

If you are interested in entrepreneurship or applying your graduate skills in business environments, GBS’s Enterprise Hub and Mastermind groups provide hands-on mentoring, networking and peer learning. Students in these groups work together on real business challenges.  This provides a strong opportunity to apply problem-solving, strategic thinking and communication skills in business and strategic roles. 

4. Learn from mentors, events and industry-relevant connections 

GBS hosts events that connect you directly with professionals. This exposure provides industry insights, connects you with professionals and helps you learn in-demand graduate skills in 2026 to meet employer expectations. Through these experiences, you can hone your professional communication, adaptability and networking skills, all of which are high on employers’ priority lists. 

Build the employability skills employers want in 2026 through practical, supportive and career-focused learning designed for real life at GBS. Explore our career-focused courses today. 

FAQs about what employers want in 2026 and skills every graduate should develop

UK employers prioritise problem-solving, digital confidence, communication, teamwork and data-driven decision-making skills alongside subject knowledge. Graduates who can apply what they have learned in real workplace situations are much more likely to stand out.

Focus on developing the employability skills employers are looking for through practical experience. Participate in group projects, work on case studies and apply your learning in everyday tasks to understand their impact. You should also seek opportunities to practise communication, decision-making and collaboration in real contexts.

For the future of work in 2026, you need a balanced mix of skills. This includes how you think, how you use technology and how you work with people. Employers are looking for graduates who can analyse problems, think creatively and make decisions when situations are not clear. Alongside this, digital confidence matters. You need to be comfortable working with data, understanding how AI is used in the workplace and handling information securely and responsibly. 

Employers value both, but practical skills often make the difference. Academic knowledge provides the foundation, while practical skills show that you can apply that knowledge in real situations, work with others and contribute effectively from day one. 

Yes. Many employability skills are developed during study through group work, case-based learning, presentations and applied assessments. These experiences mirror workplace challenges and can help you build confidence before entering full-time employment.