It’s a nerve racking day students across the country as A-level grades come out today. But the results look to bear less significance for their futures than they have done in the past due to the hiring landscape having shifted significantly. Research shows that 65% of UK employers now consider educational qualifications less important when hiring, while only 14% of UK job postings even mention academic qualifications as a requirement…
AI skills now expected from more entry level professionals
At the same time, a new priority is emerging. Demand for AI skills in UK job listings has grown by 62% in the past year alone. The roles that require AI competency now command an average wage of 34% above the market rate. Yet despite this, 97% of UK businesses currently report an AI skills gap and only 13% of graduate schemes include any AI training at all, according to the government’s own AI Labour Market Survey. For school leavers willing to get ahead of that curve, the opportunity is significant.
Gareth Hoyle, entrepreneur and founder of the digital marketing agency Marketing Signals, has a clear message for students who feel their results have fallen short:
“I’ve spent over two decades hiring people at every level. Hand on heart, A-level results have never been the reason I hired someone. What tells me everything is what a candidate has actually done. I’m increasingly looking at whether they’ve started to get to grips with AI.”
This reflects a broader shift in how employers evaluate candidates. Experience and transferable skills like critical thinking, communication, adaptability, and the ability to learn quickly, consistently outweigh academic credentials in hiring decisions. And by the time a person is five years into their career, A-level grades rarely appear on a CV at all.
On the growing importance of AI skills specifically, Gareth is direct:
“We’re at the beginning of a shift that will reshape almost every industry. The people who will thrive aren’t necessarily those who got the best grades; they’re the ones who understand how to work with AI tools and genuinely harness them. That’s a skill you can start building for free this week, on your own terms. And unlike an A-level result, it’s one you can keep sharpening for the rest of your career.”
What should entry level professionals focus on developing now?
Or if you have just received your A-level results and are wondering where next, whatever your grades are, Gareth recommends the following:
- Look into clearing – If university was the plan and the grades didn’t quite get there, clearing is worth exploring without delay. Universities are increasingly looking for well-rounded individuals with potential rather than grades alone. The UCAS Clearing page lists available spaces, but they can fill up quickly; candidates should be prepared to make their case confidently and clearly.
- Consider an apprenticeship – University isn’t the only route to a successful career, and apprenticeships are increasingly valued by employers. Data shows that apprenticeships have risen from 3% of AI hires in 2020 to 19% in 2025, reflecting genuine employer appetite for candidates who have built practical skills in the workplace. The gov.uk apprenticeship finder is a good starting point.
- Get a job or take a gap year – There’s no obligation to have the next ten years mapped out at 18. A gap year, part-time job, or period of voluntary work can provide clarity, transferable experience, and a CV entry that signals initiative, all things employers respond to positively.
- Research your target career – For students with a career direction in mind, spending time on job boards is a practical first step. Looking at what skills, tools, and certifications employers consistently ask for, and working backwards from there, gives a much clearer roadmap than waiting for a qualification to open doors.
- Do all the courses you can, especially in AI and digital skills – Self-motivated learning signals initiative to employers, and free or low-cost courses have never been more accessible. Google, Microsoft, and LinkedIn Learning all offer AI fundamentals courses, while Google certifications remain highly regarded in digital roles. For most candidates, getting certified in tools like ChatGPT or Google Gemini is a quick, meaningful differentiator, particularly because most people their age haven’t done it yet.
- Use AI to build something real, this week – AI tools have made it possible for anyone to create portfolio-ready work without a job, a degree, or a budget. A student interested in marketing can use AI to produce a full content strategy for a brand they admire and publish it, for example. While someone interested in web development can use AI to help build a working site from scratch. An aspiring journalist or PR professional can research, draft and refine long-form writing and put it out into the world. The output becomes the portfolio, and the process of learning to direct AI tools, edit their output and make the work your own becomes the experience. Both are things an employer can see and evaluate, which is more than they can do with an A-level grade.
- Develop a portfolio – A strong portfolio consistently outperforms academic credentials in hiring decisions, particularly in creative, digital and tech roles. Work does not need to be from a paid role to be valid, personal projects, mock campaigns, self-initiated writing, or anything built using AI tools all demonstrate capability in a way a results slip cannot.
Gareth’s message to students this results season is straightforward: “Your results today are one data point. The skills you build from here will take you much further than any grade ever could, especially if you’re willing to get ahead of AI.”
An assistant position can be a great way to enter an industry or workplace where you see yourself growing your career. PA Life’s jobs and careers page is a great place for helpful advice and PA jobs too.
