The publication of the government’s Young People and Work Report, led by Alan Milburn, should be a wake-up call for every employer, recruiter and policymaker in the UK. Our CEO, Jane Wylie-Roberts, joined a discussion on BBC Radio Scotland with Stephen Jardine to discuss what young people can do to stand out.

Job searching can feel overwhelming. You spend hours applying, tweaking your CV, and waiting for responses, often with little feedback. But the truth is, improving your job search doesn’t always require a complete overhaul.

The way organisations hire is undergoing a fundamental shift. In 2026, employers are moving away from traditional hiring models built around job titles, degrees, and years of experience, and towards a more agile, effective approach: skills-based hiring. This isn’t just a trend. It’s a response to a changing world of work, where adaptability, capability, and potential are becoming more valuable than ever.

April 2026 marks one of the most significant shifts in UK employment law in recent years. Driven by the Employment Rights Act 2025, these reforms form part of the government’s wider “Make Work Pay” agenda, designed to strengthen employee protections and modernise workplace practices.

Every February, we’re reminded that “perfect” doesn’t exist. Rom-coms end, Valentine’s chocolates vanish, and most of us accept that relationships, and great hires, require compromise, patience, and investment. Yet somehow hiring briefs still read like fantasy fiction: 10 years’ experience in a 3-year-old technology Senior leadership skills on a junior salary Someone who can “do it all” Unfortunately, unicorn candidates belong in fairy tales, not your talent pipeline.

The festive season is often the busiest, and most unpredictable, time of the year for many businesses. From retail to logistics, hospitality to customer service, the surge in demand can put pressure on permanent teams. Many businesses find themselves asking the same question: how do we keep up without stretching our permanent staff too thin?