A new report from General Assembly highlights a notable shift in how company leaders perceive the readiness of entry-level employees. The study found that 22% of company leaders now believe new hires are very or completely prepared for their jobs, a significant jump from just 12% in 2024. However, despite this improvement, the report reveals a persistent skills gap, with a strong emphasis on the lack of soft skills and a debate over who is responsible for upskilling the next generation of workers.
A General Assembly report shows a major increase in company leaders who believe entry-level employees are prepared for their jobs, rising from 12% to 22%.
A significant number of leaders (53%) still feel that today's entry-level employees are less prepared than those of five years ago.
The primary reason cited for this lack of preparedness is a deficit in soft skills, with 56% of leaders pointing to this as the main issue.
The study also highlights a growing belief among employed adults (83%) that AI can perform most entry-level roles as well as humans, linking this to the soft skills gap.
A majority of leaders (78%) believe employees themselves are responsible for acquiring skills, while a smaller portion (61%) believes the responsibility lies with employers.
The report notes an improvement in corporate training, with 80% of leaders reporting adequate new employee training, a factor that correlates with a higher perception of preparedness.
General Assembly's latest study sheds light on the complex perceptions of entry-level readiness in the workforce. While the report indicates a positive trend in how leaders view new hires, a deeper look reveals ongoing challenges. A substantial number of leaders—47%—still believe new employees are only "somewhat prepared." This sentiment is further reinforced by the finding that only 15% of leaders think today's entry-level workers are more prepared than their counterparts from five years ago.
The report identifies a clear culprit for the perceived skills gap: a lack of soft skills. More than half of company leaders (56%) and employed adults (42%) agree that soft skills are the primary deficiency among new hires. This issue is particularly pronounced at large companies with over 1,000 employees, where 64% of leaders reported a soft skills gap. The study also links this deficit to the rise of AI, noting that 83% of employed adults believe AI is capable of performing most entry-level roles as well as humans.
"Today’s entry-level employees systematically struggle with soft skills and job preparedness, while employers continue to blame employees themselves,” said Daniele Grassi, CEO of General Assembly. “As AI increasingly impacts the entry-level pipeline, employers have a responsibility to invest in training and upskilling the next generation. If not, we’ll face a critical skills shortage in just a few years."
Despite the widespread acknowledgment of the skills gap, there is a divergence in opinion on who should be responsible for addressing it. The report found that a significant majority of leaders (78%) place the responsibility for skill acquisition on the employees themselves. In contrast, employed adults are more evenly divided, with 62% believing employers should bear the responsibility. However, the study also offers a glimmer of hope, showing a rise in corporate training initiatives. A striking 80% of leaders reported that their employers provide adequate training, a notable increase from 67% in 2024. This data suggests a strong correlation between corporate training programs and the perception of employee preparedness.
General Assembly (GA) is the leading talent and upskilling community that helps individuals and businesses acquire the real skills required to succeed in an increasingly complex technological era. Founded in 2011 to make tech-centric jobs accessible to anyone and meet the demand of fast-growing tech companies, GA evolved into a center of excellence in training people from all backgrounds to upgrade their practical knowledge of tech skills now required in every company and in any role. With a global presence, hands-on instruction, and a passionate alumni community, GA gives learners 360-degree support as they take the next step in their career journey. As part of the Adecco Group and partner of premier talent solutions provider LHH, GA matches the right talent to business needs. All day, every day: GA puts real skills to work.
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