New survey reveals students’ ideas on future skills differ massively from employers
As students across the UK prepare to undertake work experience, new research reveals that their views on vital future skills are in stark contrast to those of decision-makers at UK British Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which account for 99 percent of UK businesses*.
9 May 2025
The survey, conducted by ACS International Schools, asks students aged between eight and 18 years old what skill they feel is the most important for the job they want to have in the future. From a list of skills including confidence, being a hard worker, natural talent, intelligence, communication, leadership, teamwork and good technology skills, just one in 20 (5.5 percent) chose communication.This is a notable difference compared to the views of decision makers at SMEs. Nearly 90 percent (88 percent) think that communication is the most important skill for young people to develop; these findings are shared in a separate report conducted collaboratively by ACS International Schools and the IB Schools and Colleges Association (IBSCA).
The most popular skills selected by students include being a hard worker (25.2 percent) and confidence (24.1 percent) respectively.Robert Harrison, Director of Education and Integrated Technology at ACS International Schools, said: “We are facing a critical skills gap. The next generation is preparing for the future with a playbook from the past. In an era of rapid change, students must not only develop essential skills but also align with the evolving needs of the businesses that will employ them once they leave education. If we fail to bridge this gap, we risk leaving an entire generation underprepared for the workforce of tomorrow.”Commenting on what businesses look for in young people, Stuart Jackson, Director of Global Workplace Communications at Amazon, said: “Businesses are built on people. So, education needs to create well-rounded, decent human beings, because that’s what makes a great worker or colleague – and ultimately a great business. For that reason, personal skills for a school leaver are key. If you have good interpersonal skills, you’re 50 percent of the way there, because everything else can be learned when in the role.”
Participants’ age also affected the survey findings, with more than one in 10 students aged 11-18 selecting technology and leadership skills as the most important. At ages 8-11 the same skills were selected by just 2.6% of students.Harrison concluded: “The world of work is evolving faster than ever, yet education risks falling behind. Our research underscores the urgent need for schools to adapt, ensuring that students graduate with not just academic credentials but the skills that truly matter. In today’s global and interconnected economy, adaptability, communication, and leadership aren’t ‘nice-to-haves’ — they’re non-negotiables for success."*according to a report by BEIS and ONS
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The most popular skills selected by students include being a hard worker (25.2 percent) and confidence (24.1 percent) respectively.Robert Harrison, Director of Education and Integrated Technology at ACS International Schools, said: “We are facing a critical skills gap. The next generation is preparing for the future with a playbook from the past. In an era of rapid change, students must not only develop essential skills but also align with the evolving needs of the businesses that will employ them once they leave education. If we fail to bridge this gap, we risk leaving an entire generation underprepared for the workforce of tomorrow.”Commenting on what businesses look for in young people, Stuart Jackson, Director of Global Workplace Communications at Amazon, said: “Businesses are built on people. So, education needs to create well-rounded, decent human beings, because that’s what makes a great worker or colleague – and ultimately a great business. For that reason, personal skills for a school leaver are key. If you have good interpersonal skills, you’re 50 percent of the way there, because everything else can be learned when in the role.”Read related articles
- Closing the UK’s digital skills gap
- Stay or go? Career curation in the Big Reskill
- Learning how to think about the future and the skills business and students need
Job roles and skill matches
In the survey, students also share their views on what jobs they would most like to have when they are older. Female students who selected STEM careers especially value hard work, with more than one in 10 (11.9%) selecting the skill as the most important. By contrast, female students who chose all other job options combined saw just 8.7% make the same selection.Participants’ age also affected the survey findings, with more than one in 10 students aged 11-18 selecting technology and leadership skills as the most important. At ages 8-11 the same skills were selected by just 2.6% of students.Harrison concluded: “The world of work is evolving faster than ever, yet education risks falling behind. Our research underscores the urgent need for schools to adapt, ensuring that students graduate with not just academic credentials but the skills that truly matter. In today’s global and interconnected economy, adaptability, communication, and leadership aren’t ‘nice-to-haves’ — they’re non-negotiables for success."*according to a report by BEIS and ONSAbout the research
837 students in England aged between 8 and 18 years old were surveyed by ACS International Schools. Survey summary data and interviews available upon request.About ACS International Schools
Founded in 1967 to serve the needs of global and local families, ACS International Schools educate over 3,300 students, aged 2 to 18, day and boarding, from more than 100 countries. Our schools in Greater London are all non-sectarian and co-educational.At the heart of our approach is the idea of readiness – we empower our students with the skills and knowledge to thrive in a world that is changing fast. Our world-renowned curriculum includes all International Baccalaureate (IB) Programmes, and top US programmes including Advanced Placement (AP) courses and the AP Capstone and International Diplomas.Our students leave ACS as well-rounded global citizens with the academic and emotional intelligence to empathise and engage with tomorrow’s big issues, turning compassion into action as they stand ready for a future full of opportunity.ACS is a registered UK charity (1179820). ACS undertakes a wide number of programmes to further its charitable aim to advance education, including partnerships with other organisations and offering financially assisted places to students who otherwise would be unable to attend ACS schools.Twitter - @ACSPartnerships @ACSIntSchools / @ACSCobhamSchool / @ACSEgham / @ACSHillSchool
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