Untapped Potential: Embracing Skills-Based Hiring Is the Next Generation of Work

Cathleen Zappulla, MBA

Global Career Transformation Coach | NextGen Leadership | Career Transition | Pivot to Entrepreneurship | 30+ Year COO, Recruiter + Hiring Manager | Digital Career Strategy Roadmaps I 🔮 Future of Work Advisor #FOW

Published Nov 12, 2024

"I'm navigating through a dark tunnel and it just keeps going and going. That's what my life was like - just a dark tunnel that kept going and going. Sometimes there would be a little light, but mostly it was just dark. It didn't feel good to get up and go to work. I wanted better for myself. Financial freedom. Generational wealth. Freedom in general. Happiness. Those are the things I was looking for."

For decades, college degrees served as a “permission slip” into the white-collar workforce. By the mid-20th century, a degree was practically mandatory for most corporate jobs, symbolizing readiness and credibility. However, in today’s rapidly evolving labor market, with the emergence of "new collared workers," the shift toward skills-based hiring is fundamentally reshaping what it means to “qualify” for a role. Increasingly, both degreed and non-degreed workers must urgently embrace the need to adapt their skills to meet the demands of the future.

Netflix’s October release, Untapped, facilitated by enterprise tech giant Workday, offers an up-close look at this shift. The series follows individuals from varied backgrounds, some without college degrees, who are breaking into corporate careers and claiming their well-earned place in the corporate workforce - based on their skills, rather than degrees.

We have 70 million people in this country who have high school degrees and all sorts of skills, but they don't have college degrees. And they are being excluded from around 70% of the jobs that are being created. ~Byron Auguste, CEO + Co-Founder of Opportunity@Work and Recipient of Forbes 'Future of Work 50'

Through programs like Workday's own initiatives and others, these individuals gain the skills and experiences needed to excel. Untapped highlights how companies are evolving their hiring strategies—not only to gain an edge in competitive labor markets but also to fill critical roles for the next generation of work.

Bridging the Skills Gap: AI as the Great Equalizer

With artificial intelligence (AI) emerging as a powerful tool, traditional barriers to career entry—especially those tied to degrees and credentials—are eroding. AI-driven platforms now provide nontraditional candidates with affordable ways to build and showcase in-demand skills. This shift opens up new opportunities for “new collar” workers, allowing them to bypass traditional educational requirements and compete alongside degree-holders in fields once out of reach.

In Untapped, viewers see non-degreed candidates, often from urban backgrounds, preparing for corporate interviews with help from organizations like Year Up United . Here, we see the raw ambition of individuals who may not have followed the conventional path to success, often due to life circumstances such as family responsibilities or financial barriers. Yet, these individuals are now poised to compete in ways that were previously unimaginable.

Sometimes the credential requirements don't really capture the skills required to be successful in the job. ~Mary Barra, GM CEO + Industry Titan

Meanwhile, as some corporate professionals work from home in pajama bottoms and a cup of Matcha, this new generation of skilled workers is fiercely motivated to claim their place in the workforce.

Skills-Based Hiring: It’s More Than Just Degree vs. No Degree

The demand for skill-specific talent is affecting everyone, regardless of educational background. All professionals, degree or no degree, have an obligation to adapt if they want to thrive in the next generation of work. While AI and digital skills like data analysis, automation, and cybersecurity may give those without degrees a new edge, these emerging technologies require all professionals to stay relevant and continue learning.

The new world of work is about skills, not necessarily degrees. We must remove the stigma of a community college and career education, look for opportunities to upskill or reskill workers, and give those who have been left behind the chance to compete for well-paying careers – today and tomorrow. It's good for business and good for society. ~Jamie Dimon, JP Morgan CEO

For example, if you’re in tax, learning automation software and AI tools can help you work more efficiently. If you’re in HR, moving into strategic roles that shape the company’s growth may set you apart from those in transactional functions. As tasks in accounting, recruiting, marketing, and other administrative areas become more automated, the expectation for continuous skill-building will only increase.

Rethinking Education in the Skills-Driven Workforce

The role and purpose of education has evolved significantly over time, often in response to the needs of the corporate world. In the early 20th century, less than 10% of Americans attended high school. But as corporations needed workers, attendance expanded dramatically. As high school attendance grew, communities, preparing students for "jobs of the future," and the post-WWII GI Bill, triggered a surge in college attendance.

A growing narrative emerged in the 80's and 90's that a college degree alone was a guaranteed ticket to a good job and quality life. This mindset arguably locked many people into years of student debt, while those unable to access higher education were left behind.

Today, as the workplace undergoes a profound transformation, the relationship between education and the corporate world is being reexamined. Rather than schools existing to churn out workers for companies, there is a growing recognition that the next generation requires different skills and mindsets to thrive. The rise of the "new collar" worker, equipped with in-demand skills rather than traditional credentials, highlights how education can empower individual ingenuity and entrepreneurship alongside corporate success. Skills-based hiring, enabled by advances like AI, is creating new pathways for diverse talent to compete and contribute.

For those who have the luxury of a college experience, it is an opportunity to learn. However, the degree alone can no longer be seen as a one-way ticket to prosperity. In this new landscape, continuous learning, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities may be more valuable than degrees alone. Professionals of all backgrounds must be willing to upskill, reskill, and redefine their career trajectories.

The future of work demands a more dynamic, symbiotic relationship between education, individuals, and organizations. By fostering a culture of lifelong learning, embracing diverse talent pipelines, and aligning curriculum with evolving skills needs, we can unlock greater innovation, equity, and prosperity for all.

Workday: A Vision for the Future of Work

Workday, a leader in cloud applications for finance and HR, has made waves with Untapped, showcasing their commitment to inspiring and empowering talent from all walks of life. The series reflects Workday’s vision of inclusive hiring practices, encouraging people to unlock their potential and redefine career pathways. By supporting the development of diverse talent, Workday reinforces its role as a champion for skills-based hiring and a more equitable future.

Navigating the Next Generation of Work: Tips to Future-Proof Your Career

The World Economic Forum (WEF) predicts that by 2030, nearly 1 billion jobs globally will be transformed by technology. This transformation is creating a wide gap between traditional credentials and skills employers need, especially as fields like data analysis, software development, and digital marketing continue to grow. Here are a few steps to stay ahead:

Upskill Continuously: Make time each month to learn new tools or platforms relevant to your role. If you’re in finance, dive into analytics; if you’re in marketing, master AI-driven targeting.
Focus on Problem-Solving Skills: Many future roles will require strong critical-thinking abilities. Practice solving complex problems that may be beyond your typical job scope.
Lean into Creativity and Adaptability: Creative problem-solving and adaptability are becoming as valuable as technical skills. The more you can pivot and think outside the box, the more indispensable you become.
Get Hands-On with AI: AI literacy is a baseline skill that can empower you to automate tasks, analyze data, and gain new insights in real-time. Don’t just know about AI—use it.
Assess Your Skills: Complete a Skills Assessment to understand the gaps between where you are and where you need to be.

The Road Ahead

As the workplace shifts, embracing a mindset of lifelong learning and adaptability will be key. The rise of skills-based hiring, coupled with AI’s democratizing power, means professionals of all backgrounds can reshape their futures. Whether you’re an experienced professional or just entering the workforce, now is the time to focus on building in-demand skills, demonstrating your value, and aligning with the jobs of tomorrow. Those who adapt will find themselves well-positioned as AI becomes the great equalizer in the jobs of the future.

🤖What 'work' means, what 'work' looks like, where 'work' happens, and how 'work' is happening is changing...rapidly and radically. For 'Future of Work' content, please follow Cathleen A. Zappulla, MBA, and subscribe to this weekly newsletter, Tomorrow is Today.

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