The Emerging Trend That Every Manager Should Have On Their Radar
29 July 2025
The emerging trend that every manager should have on their radar is the rise of skills-based hiring and development.
Companies are starting to move away from the traditional focus on degrees, job titles, and years of experience, and instead, rather zeroing in on "skills" - what people can actually do and learn.
Why is this important? Well, the pace of change in business and technology is faster than ever. Skills become outdated quickly, so the ability to identify, develop, and leverage new skills is becoming a seriously competitive advantage. For managers, this means two things:
Hiring differently: Managers are now looking beyond resumes to assess specific, practical skills—sometimes through projects, tests, or portfolio reviews. A candidate without a degree but with the right skill set could outperform someone with an impressive background but outdated abilities. Companies like Google and IBM have already embraced this, removing degree requirements for many roles.
Investing in upskilling: Managers are realizing that their teams need constant learning opportunities to stay relevant. Upskilling and reskilling are becoming as important as hiring itself. Whether it’s through micro-learning platforms like Udemy or Coursera, or on-the-job mentoring, creating a culture of skills development helps employees stay agile and motivated.
Here’s the kicker: employees want this shift, too. The younger workforce, particularly Gen Z, places a high value on learning and growth. If managers don’t provide opportunities for skill development, employees will start looking elsewhere.
For example, companies like Amazon are investing billions into upskilling programs to ensure their workforce evolves alongside technology changes. And it’s not just about tech roles—it applies across leadership, sales, and every industry.
So for managers, the question becomes: Are you prioritizing skills in hiring? Are you helping your team acquire new skills to thrive in a fast-changing world?
When managers champion skills-based growth, they not only future-proof their teams, but also create a workplace where people feel challenged, valued, and empowered - the three drivers of productivity.
Written by Mark Deavall
If you would like to talk to me, please call me on +2782 465 5481 or email me on markd@markdeavall.com
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