Ruby Frost
Should employers really value having a degree over industry experience?
The history: how did degrees become so sought after?
In the early 1960s, only 4% of school leavers went to university. As of 2021, this figure has risen to almost 40% of the UK 18-year-old population.
In 1999, Prime Minister Tony Blair set a target of 50% of young adults going into higher education in the next century. Some criticised this move and placed emphasis on the importance of technical and trade-based jobs too. Others welcomed the idea that university was to become more accessible.
However, this was not the case. For many, degrees still remain inaccessible. For others, the thought of three (or more) years in education is not the route they want to take.
Degrees are still inaccessible for some:
Inequalities in those obtaining degrees are higher than ever.
Former education secretary, Gavin Williamson, criticised Blair’s approach.
Williamson said: “It is simply not good enough that white working-class boys are far less likely to go to university, and black students are far less likely to complete their courses than others.”
Furthermore, those with disabilities are less likely to attend university, and more likely to drop out. This is because most universities are not designed to support those who require extra support.
“If a university degree is inaccessible, how it is fair that the job market is designed for graduates?”
Research carried out by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign found that 30% of university social and leisure facilities were also not accessible to students with mobility impairment.
There are also some shocking stories of disabled students who have been discriminated against. For example, Rosie Watson–a student at Durham–felt humiliated by lecturers who failed to take her deafness into account.
If a university degree is inaccessible, how it is fair that the job market is designed for graduates?
What if I do not want a degree?
“I think employers should be looking for experience and desire to learn in the industry.”- Paige Fellows, ex-university student.
Nowadays, there is more freedom to decide not to go to university.
I spoke with an ex-student who started her university career, only to decide it was not the route for her. She found that –for her particular degree and chosen career path– she would gain more value from industry experience. She decided to work her way up. Since leaving university, Paige has worked full-time to fund her part-time CIPD accredited course.
Paige, who is pursuing a career in HR, always knew that she needed her Level 5 CIPD qualification in HR management in order to pursue this career, regardless of whether she had a degree or not.
Paige said: “During my first term I found that the main content of my degree was stuff that I had learned, or was able to learn, through work.
“I decided to save myself time and money and pursue a more relevant qualification.
“This is something employers should take into consideration.”
Is it discriminatory for employers to request a degree (BSc or MSc) as an essential skill?
The Equality Act 2010 makes it unlawful for employers to take age into account when recruiting for a new job. When requiring an applicant to have a university degree, the older generation is at a disadvantage because they are less likely to have one.
“Surely, an employer would much prefer someone with 3 years of industry experience, than someone who has spent 3 years studying a subject that is not even relevant to that job?”
Under the 2010 Act, employers must be able to justify their decision to require that the successful applicant has a degree.
The worst job adverts are the ones that state they just want someone with a degree, and that this does not have to be relevant to the field that they are applying to. Surely, an employer would much prefer someone with 3 years of industry experience, than someone who has spent 3 years studying a subject that is not even relevant to that job? Where is the logic in that?
No degree does not equal no skills
Despite having a degree myself, I do not think jobs should be allowed to discriminate against those with degrees and those without.
I learnt a lot from my degree, both personally and academically, and for me, it was the right choice. However, it is not necessary for my job in the slightest. The majority of people I work with left education as soon as possible, and the life and industry experience that they now possess is invaluable.
“It is outdated and discriminatory for employers to demand that their employees have a degree.”
While I am proud of my degree, it is not the only route to take. Other routes are just as hard work and can take just as much, if not more, time and effort.
Obviously, for some jobs, a degree is completely necessary. However, just because a degree is not a requirement of a job does not lower the bar for that job. No degree does not equal no skills.
For me, who was absolutely clueless about my future and loved being in education, I would not change my experience for the world (well, maybe the debt). However, it is outdated and discriminatory for employers to demand that their employees have a degree. Especially when some of them will not even have degrees themselves.
Featured image courtesy of MD Duran via Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.
