Apprenticeships and Internships Gain Ground as Employers Prioritise Skills Over Degrees

New research reveals employers are increasingly valuing skills, internships and apprenticeships over degrees, with AI and in-person training reshaping early careers recruitment.

The latest research into early careers recruitment suggests that employers are placing less emphasis on academic qualifications alone and giving greater weight to practical skills, adaptability and real-world experience. 

For young people entering the jobs market, that could mean apprenticeships and internships are becoming more valuable than ever before.

According to the newly published 2026 Best Practice Early Careers Guide from TST, organisations are increasingly creating multiple routes into employment rather than relying solely on traditional graduate recruitment.

The report found that companies with well-developed internship-to-graduate programmes retain significantly more employees over the long term.

 After three years, 73% of graduates who came through strong internship pipelines were still with their employer, compared with 62% at organisations without similar programmes. 

Internships also attracted around 20% more applications than graduate schemes and an impressive 80% more than apprenticeship vacancies, highlighting the growing appeal of gaining workplace experience before committing to a permanent role.

The findings are based on recruitment and retention data from 30 global organisations employing more than 2.75 million people. They paint a picture of employers becoming increasingly interested in what candidates can demonstrate rather than simply what qualifications they hold.

Dr Khairunnisa Mohamedali, (PICTURED) Managing Director and Chief Innovation Officer at TST, believes businesses are looking for people who can adapt quickly to changing workplaces. She told That's Business that it is her argument that skills, attitude and potential are now sitting alongside formal qualifications when employers make recruitment decisions.

Supporting this trend, research from the National Association of Colleges and Employers suggests that 70% of employers now use skills-based hiring for entry-level positions, while nearly half of middle-skill jobs have removed formal degree requirements altogether.

The report also highlights another interesting development: the return of face-to-face learning. Organisations with the strongest long-term retention rates delivered almost two-thirds of their induction programmes in person, compared with just over a quarter among lower-performing employers. 

Building personal relationships, company culture and workplace confidence during those early weeks appears to have a lasting impact on employee loyalty.

Artificial intelligence is also reshaping graduate development. As AI increasingly takes over routine tasks that once helped new recruits gain confidence and experience, employers are placing even greater value on qualities such as curiosity, resilience, communication and a willingness to learn. Rather than replacing early careers programmes, AI is changing what successful development looks like.

For businesses competing for tomorrow's workforce, the message is clear. Investing in apprenticeships, internships, meaningful in-person training and skills-based recruitment could prove to be one of the smartest talent strategies of the decade.

https://www.wearetst.com/insight/insight-article.html?slug=best-practice-early-careers-guide-2026

Humanscale Launches M/Class Ergonomic Monitor Arms for Modern Workspaces

Humanscale has launched its redesigned M/Class monitor arm range, combining ergonomic comfort, award-winning design and sustainability to help businesses create healthier, more productive workspaces.

As businesses continue to invest in employee wellbeing and more flexible office environments, ergonomic design has become far more than a workplace luxury. 

A well-designed workstation can improve comfort, reduce strain and help employees stay productive throughout the day.

With that in mind, Humanscale has launched its new M/Class monitor arm range, bringing together refined engineering, minimalist design and enhanced performance for modern workplaces.

The latest M/Class range has been completely redesigned internally to support a much wider variety of monitor sizes and weights while maintaining the effortless movement that Humanscale products are known for. Rather than relying on complicated adjustment mechanisms, the monitor arms use carefully engineered physics-based movement, allowing users to reposition their screens with a simple touch.

The goal is straightforward: encourage healthier posture by enabling workers to position their displays exactly where they need them. This helps reduce neck, shoulder and back strain caused by poorly positioned monitors, while also encouraging natural movement throughout the working day.

Beyond the ergonomic benefits, the M/Class range also helps businesses maximise valuable desk space. By lifting monitors off the desktop, users gain a cleaner, less cluttered working environment that can improve organisation and concentration.

A standout feature is Humanscale's patented M/Connect® Split Dock Technology. This cleverly transforms the monitor arm into a workstation connectivity hub, providing convenient access to USB, charging and audio ports while concealing static cables beneath the desk. The result is a tidier workspace that's easier for employees to use and simpler for IT teams to manage.

The updated range also introduces several practical improvements, including significantly increased weight capacity, enhanced cable management, compatibility with keyboard applications and a stylish new all-white finish. The strengthened internal construction features redesigned linkages, reinforced castings and a new mechanical spring system to improve durability and long-term reliability.

The design has already received international recognition, winning a prestigious Red Dot Award for its combination of elegant aesthetics and user-centred functionality. The award highlights the growing importance of products that adapt to people rather than forcing people to adapt to technology.

Sustainability remains central to Humanscale's philosophy. The company is the only major commercial furniture manufacturer in the United States to achieve B Corp certification and continues to pursue climate-positive manufacturing and the development of products that make use of recycled and upcycled materials, including ocean plastics.

With operations in over 55 countries, Humanscale continues to demonstrate that thoughtful workplace design can deliver benefits for businesses, employees and the environment alike. As organisations rethink office spaces for the future, ergonomic innovations such as the new M/Class range show that even everyday office equipment can play an important role in improving wellbeing, efficiency and long-term sustainability.

https://uk.humanscale.com

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Billboard Advertising Made Affordable: Loud! OOH Launches with Transparent Pricing

New agency Loud! OOH is challenging outdoor advertising norms by publishing transparent billboard prices, helping SMEs discover that outdoor advertising is more affordable than they might think.

For many small businesses, billboard advertising has always seemed like something reserved for big brands with equally big marketing budgets. 

A new independent agency is aiming to change that perception by doing something refreshingly simple, publishing its prices for everyone to see.

Leeds and London-based Loud! OOH has launched with a bold campaign in the heart of Leeds that demonstrates just how affordable outdoor advertising can be. 

Two adjacent 48-sheet billboards on York Street tell the whole story. One states that another agency quoted £650 for the site, while the second reveals Loud! OOH is offering exactly the same billboard for £325.

There are no hidden conditions, no small print and no promotional gimmicks. The campaign is designed to prove that outdoor advertising can be accessible to businesses of every size.

Founder Jamie Roberts, who has spent two decades working in the advertising industry, told That's Business that the traditional process of obtaining billboard prices often discourages potential customers before they even receive a quote.

Business owners typically have to complete enquiry forms, wait for follow-up calls, discuss their requirements and then wait days or even weeks before learning the actual cost. According to Roberts, many lose interest long before they receive a figure.

Loud! OOH has taken a different approach by publishing transparent pricing for billboards, digital outdoor screens, bus advertising, London Underground campaigns and other formats directly on its website. This allows businesses to research costs, compare options and make informed decisions without lengthy sales conversations.

The Leeds campaign was deliberately placed on York Street, where commuters waiting at a nearby bus stop have plenty of time to read both billboards and appreciate the message. Rather than flashing past motorists in seconds, the campaign invites people to compare the prices and question long-held assumptions about outdoor advertising.

The timing also reflects the continued strength of the sector. UK out-of-home advertising generated £1.44 billion in revenue during 2025, while industry body Outsmart reports that the medium delivers an average return of £1.80 for every £1 invested and achieves advertising recall of 79% within a month.

For SMEs looking to raise their profile, these figures suggest outdoor advertising remains a powerful marketing tool. Loud! OOH's launch serves as a reminder that, with greater pricing transparency, billboard advertising could become a realistic option for many businesses that previously believed it was beyond their reach.

As competition for customer attention grows, making advertising simpler, clearer and more affordable may prove to be just as eye-catching as the billboards themselves.

Website: loudooh.co.uk

Pricing: loudooh.co.uk/pricing

Could Your Local Business Become a National Franchise Success Story? A Guide for Growing SMEs

Discover how local businesses with a strong USP can expand nationwide through franchising. Learn what makes a business franchise-ready and how to attract potential investors.

Every successful national brand started somewhere. Whether it was a single coffee shop, a family-run bakery, a specialist cleaning company or an innovative home improvement service, many of today's best-known businesses began as one local enterprise with a great idea.

If your business has developed a unique selling proposition (USP) that customers genuinely value, franchising could be the next exciting step in your growth journey.

What makes a business suitable for franchising?

Not every business is ready to become a franchise, but many owners underestimate just how transferable their model can be.

A strong franchise opportunity usually has several things in common:

A proven business model with consistent profits.

A recognisable brand.

Products or services that customers actively seek out.

Systems that can be taught to someone else.

Strong operational procedures.

Ongoing demand in multiple locations.

If someone else can successfully replicate what you do by following your systems, you're already thinking like a franchisor.

Your USP is your biggest asset

The strongest franchises don't try to be everything to everyone.

Instead, they excel at doing one thing exceptionally well.

Perhaps you offer an innovative food concept, a specialist repair service, eco-friendly cleaning, unique retail products or an outstanding customer experience that competitors struggle to match.

Your USP becomes the reason franchisees invest. They're buying into a proven concept that already stands out from the crowd.

Grow without owning every location

Opening branches yourself requires significant investment, management time and financial risk.

Franchising allows ambitious entrepreneurs to invest their own capital to open new locations under your brand.

In return, franchisees usually pay:

An initial franchise fee.

Ongoing royalty payments.

Contributions towards national marketing.

This creates opportunities to expand much more quickly than relying solely on your own finances.

Protect your reputation

Growth should never come at the expense of quality.

Successful franchisors invest heavily in training, operations manuals, brand standards and ongoing support.

From customer service and marketing to stock management and health and safety, every aspect of the business should be clearly documented so customers enjoy the same experience wherever they visit.

Consistency is what builds trust in a growing brand.

Think nationally from day one

Even if you currently operate from a single town or city, ask yourself:

Could this business work in Manchester? Birmingham? Cardiff? Edinburgh? Belfast?

If the answer is yes, your market could be much larger than your local area.

With today's digital marketing, cloud-based systems and online training platforms, supporting franchisees across the UK has never been more practical.

Get professional advice first

Franchising is a significant legal and commercial undertaking, so it's worth speaking to experienced franchise consultants, solicitors and accountants before launching.

They can help you develop franchise agreements, operations manuals, financial models and recruitment processes that protect both your business and your future franchisees.

Could your business be next?

Britain has an impressive history of successful franchise brands, many of which started life as small independent businesses with a big idea and the determination to grow.

If your business has a distinctive USP, loyal customers and a model that others can successfully replicate, franchising could provide the route to national recognition while helping other entrepreneurs build successful businesses of their own.

Sometimes the biggest opportunity isn't opening your next branch yourself, it's giving someone else the chance to succeed using the business model you've already perfected.

You should consider becoming a member of the British Franchise Association. For nearly 50 years the BFA have been representing the specialist needs of franchise operators in Britain.

https://www.thebfa.org

AI Is Now Influencing Buying Decisions More Than Ever, New Research Reveals

Artificial intelligence is no longer simply helping consumers and businesses research products and services, it's increasingly shaping the decisions they make.

New research from AI visibility consultancy LLM Listed suggests AI-powered platforms such as ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Claude, Microsoft Copilot and Gemini are becoming trusted advisers throughout the buying journey, with an overwhelming 85% of buyers saying they have changed their mind because of an AI recommendation.

The findings come from the company's AI Buyer Journey Report 2026, based on responses from 770 buyers across the United States and the United Kingdom.

Perhaps even more striking is the level of trust respondents now place in AI-generated information. The study found that 97% trust information provided by AI platforms, while 94% said they would stop considering a company altogether if AI presented negative information about it.

For businesses, that represents a significant shift in how customers discover, evaluate and ultimately choose suppliers.

Business buyers appear to be embracing AI particularly quickly. According to the report, 91% of B2B buyers now use AI during the purchasing process, while 90% research potential vendors using AI before ever making direct contact.

Consumer behaviour is also changing rapidly. Around 84% of consumers now use AI somewhere during their buying journey, with 59% turning to AI as their very first stop when looking for product recommendations.

The research also suggests businesses may be underestimating AI's influence because many buyers never click directly through from AI platforms to company websites. Instead, they often search Google for a company name, type the website address directly into their browser or even ask AI tools for telephone numbers and contact details before making contact.

Among consumer users, Google AI Overviews (39%) and ChatGPT (35%) emerged as the two most popular AI platforms for product research. Business buyers showed more varied preferences, using Google AI Overviews (27%), ChatGPT (23%), Claude (15%) and Microsoft Copilot (11%) in significant numbers.

Ben Harper, Founder of LLM Listed, believes the findings demonstrate a major change in customer behaviour.

He said told That's Business: "The findings suggest that AI is no longer simply a research tool. It is increasingly becoming a decision-making tool."

He added that organisations can no longer afford to ignore how they appear across AI platforms, particularly when buyers are placing so much trust in the information they receive.

As AI becomes increasingly embedded in everyday purchasing decisions, businesses may need to pay as much attention to how they are represented by AI systems as they do to their websites, search engine rankings and online reviews. In an increasingly AI-driven marketplace, visibility across these platforms could become just as important as visibility on traditional search engines.

https://llmlisted.com/