The Impact of AI on early careers jobs and hiring has been one of the defining themes of this year’s ISE Student Development Survey. Much of the focus has been on how students use AI in recruitment, particularly the rise of mass applications that are heavily generated or supported by AI.
For employers, the challenge is not only managing unprecedented volumes but also differentiating between hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of very similar, ‘vanilla’ applications.
Employers are increasingly calling for authenticity. They want to hear the real voice, the “I”. Why you want the job, and what motivates you; why you believe you have the skills and potential to succeed, not a generic statement about why the role might appeal to a young person or the skills it requires.
What should students do?
AI should be used to support applications, not relied on to write it. It can be a powerful tool for researching organisations and understanding roles. But it should not be used to produce a polished CV that no longer reflects the real candidate.
We are increasingly hearing from concerned employers about candidates using AI to support their applications and misrepresent their abilities. This does not set young people up for success and creates huge challenges for employers in delivering effective development programmes.
However, it is also confusing for young people to navigate how and when AI should be used. Employers, therefore, need to be clear where AI is permitted or encouraged, and where candidates will be expected to demonstrate capability without it. There remains an inconsistency in employer transparency, and this needs to improve. Unequal access is also a growing issue. More affluent students can access premium AI tools, while disadvantaged students may rely on free versions, or avoid them altogether.
Impact of AI in the workplace
Our ISE Development Survey 2026 highlights significant shifts in entry level roles and tasks and the skills required for them. AI is no longer just a recruitment issue or a peripheral skill; it is becoming a central force, shaping job design, skills, and expectations. While students often fear AI will reduce entry-level opportunities, our evidence so far suggests re-shaping rather than replacement.
There are notable sector differences, but over 40% of employers report that roles are already adapting to AI. Looking ahead, more than 80% expect at least some entry-level roles to be reshaped or remodelled within the next three years. Nearly a third anticipate significant changes to tasks and responsibilities for early careers hires.
What does this mean for skills?
Roles are not disappearing, but they are changing. As a result, the skills profile is shifting. Skills likely to become less central include:
- Routine administrative and clerical work
- Basic research and information gathering
- Manual data processing and entry-level analysis
- Drafting standard written content
- Routine technical tasks such as basic coding and scripting Skills gaining importance include:
- Critical thinking and judgement
- AI literacy and effective use of AI tools
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Adaptability, curiosity, and continuous learning
- Ethical awareness and understanding of governance
Interestingly, despite AI’s growing influence, ISE data shows that employers are twice as likely to develop digital literacy as they are to recruit for it and they are embedding AI capability, practical tool use, and data skills into development programmes. This reinforces the need for young people to be open, flexible, and ready to learn.
Where are the skills gaps?
Across foundational skills, including reading, numeracy, writing, listening, and organisation, around two-thirds to three-quarters of employers report that early careers hires perform as expected. In some areas, particularly teamwork, a notable proportion of school and college leavers even exceed expectations.
However, consistent gaps emerge in behavioural and adaptive skills. Adaptability stands out as the most significant challenge. We have also heard consistently from our members’ concerns over professional readiness. In our most recent data, over half of employers reported increased time supporting the transition from education into the workplace.
These gaps are significant, particularly given growing employer demand for flexibility and the ability to operate confidently in ambiguous or fast-changing environments. Overall, while foundational skills are broadly meeting expectations, the most persistent gaps lie in adaptability, self-awareness, and contextual understanding; precisely the capabilities most critical in modern workplaces.
Summary
The new world of work is both exciting and demanding. To thrive, young people will need to embrace change, adapt to uncertainty, and build resilience in fast-evolving environments. Employers recognise that this transition can be challenging and are increasingly investing in support for early careers entrants, particularly around workplace adjustment and mental health and wellbeing.
However, responsibility cannot sit with employers alone. They must work alongside schools, colleges, and communities to ensure young people are equipped not just to enter the workforce, but to succeed within it. With the right collaboration, the workforce of the future can be confident, adaptable, and ready to shape, not just respond to, the changing world of work. For any employers interested in accessing the full data on emerging trends, further details can be found on the ISE website.