The traditional pathway from degree to entry-level tech job has been severely disrupted. The number of junior roles being advertised is shrinking, and the bar for entry is rising. Recent research by job search site Indeed revealed that the number of roles targeting UK graduates is at a seven-year low.
Similar research by Adzuna highlighted a 32% drop in graduate jobs, apprenticeships, internships, and junior roles since November alone. With nearly a third fewer positions overall, the pool of opportunity is narrowing, forcing new graduates to compete against candidates who may have far more experience.
But why has the entry-level job market seen such a decline? While the AI boom is reshaping the tech industry and redefining the skills in demand, it’s not the only factor behind this shift. Geopolitical tensions, reduced venture capital, and widespread cost-cutting have led to hiring freezes and layoffs across the sector, further squeezing opportunities for early-career talent.
In this more competitive and uncertain landscape, strong credentials alone are no longer enough. As the sector evolves, so must its future workforce, by embracing agility, continuous learning, and resilience as differentiators, not just academic achievement.
Vanishing entry-level opportunities
Junior developers are feeling the sting of a lack of roles acutely. Entry-level roles are not only dwindling, they’re transforming beyond recognition. Today’s junior roles increasingly require advanced, job-ready skills, particularly in emerging technologies like genAI, automation, and low-code development platforms. These aren’t typically covered in-depth in most undergraduate programmes, leaving new graduates scrambling to upskill independently. In effect, “entry-level” no longer means inexperienced; it now means pre-trained, often to near mid-level standards.
This shift has created a significant mismatch between what employers want and what graduates can offer straight out of university. It’s also fuelling concerns about access and equity, as only those with the time, resources, or networks to gain these skills outside of their degree can remain competitive. The traditional graduate pipeline is now facing severe strain.
Stay curious, stay competitive
As entry-level roles dry up, students and graduates are being forced to get creative. With fewer traditional opportunities available, many are exploring alternative ways to gain experience and stand out. For some, that means diving into open-source contributions or participating in hackathons to build real-world skills. Others are turning to freelance or contract-based work to develop a portfolio that speaks louder than a degree.
Now more than ever, in addition to earning qualifications, students must also become AI-proficient. As employers begin embedding AI skills into job descriptions, graduates will need to treat these tools as part of everyday problem-solving and strategic decision-making.
But AI mastery alone isn’t enough. While some companies, such as Meta, are letting candidates use AI assistants during job interviews, others, like Google, are doubling down on face-to-face interviews. Interviewers are being trained to probe candidates on their problem‑solving skills, to ensure that they genuinely understand the answers they’re giving. This highlights that students must not only understand how to use these tools but also cultivate uniquely human strengths such as creativity, adaptability and critical thinking.
Cross-disciplinary roles, in areas like product, operations, or design, can also serve as launchpads, especially in startups where job boundaries are fluid. Meanwhile, technical bootcamps and self-directed learning remain fast-track options for those seeking to upskill in specific areas, particularly AI, data, or automation.
The pressure is real, but so is the potential. Today’s market rewards those who can move quickly, learn independently, and show initiative. While the route into tech is less predictable than it once was, it’s still accessible to those willing to adapt. I believe that embracing an unlimited growth mindset is one of the most powerful ways to navigate industry-wide challenges. For young graduates, it’s not just about perseverance; it’s about building confidence through effort and unlocking new skills in the process. When the status quo is disrupted, stepping beyond their comfort zones can spark fresh insights and ideas they hadn’t yet imagined.
Even when the market is challenging, graduates should continue to embrace this ‘growth mindset’. This is the perfect time for them to have the courage to learn new things and focus on skills that are not currently part of their curriculum. Success today now depends less on where you start and more on how you keep moving.
Backing local talent for long-term growth
As the demand for tech talent continues to outpace supply, the role of graduates in shaping the future of innovation has never been more critical. To become key players in the global tech industry, businesses must prioritise nurturing and investing in local graduates rather than relying heavily on offshore talent. Supporting homegrown expertise strengthens the national workforce and builds sustainable innovation ecosystems better equipped to withstand geopolitical shifts and global market changes.
Leaders also have a role to play here. Beyond working with local talent, they should make sure to give younger employees a chance to learn. This means giving them opportunities to try new things, and taking time to answer their questions. Employers can even harness AI positively to do this, using tools to help train graduates up more rapidly. Not only will this help younger employees better understand their companies’ proprietary AI platforms, but it can also accelerate their learning curves.
However, for graduates to truly thrive in these roles, they must be equipped with the right skills. As job demands grow more complex, especially in areas like AI and emerging tech, many university programmes struggle to keep up. Traditional curricula often lag behind industry needs, leaving graduates underprepared for the realities of today’s workplace.
To address this gap, universities need to collaborate more closely with employers to redesign course content, integrate real-world projects, and emphasise practical skills alongside theoretical foundations. By aligning education with industry expectations, institutions can produce graduates who are not only job-ready but also capable of driving domestic tech growth.
This kind of collaboration strengthens the local talent pipeline, cuts dependence on foreign labour, and sets the nation up for long-term tech leadership. Investing in local talent now means building a more innovative, resilient, and self-sustaining future.
The path into tech is changing – but it’s still open to those who adapt, gain real-world experience, and keep learning. By rethinking how we train and support early-career talent, both education and industry can create a more inclusive and future-ready sector.
Simone Mink is an accomplished professional with extensive experience in digital transformation and operations within the tech industry. Currently serving as Head of Portfolio Management at Mendix, Simone drives change through thought leadership and innovative programmes.
