May 29, 2025 from Canadian HR Reporter
Employers Are Shifting Hiring Standards
Faced with persistent hiring struggles, Canadian employers are rethinking what it takes to land a job. According to a new report by Express Employment Professionals, 86% of hiring managers say their company has waived at least one job requirement to fill open positions.
Most commonly, employers are setting aside:
- Years of experience (52%)
- Soft skills (35%)
- Hard skills (32%)
- Educational degrees (31%)
- Professional certifications (29%)
Another 60% say their company is willing to make exceptions to requirements on a case-by-case basis, and 67% say they are open to hiring candidates without a formal degree.
Jobseekers Want Skills to Matter More Than Degrees
This trend isn’t just an employer necessity — it aligns with jobseeker expectations. The report found that 84% of jobseekers believe companies should prioritize skills over degrees when hiring. And 71% say companies should be more flexible with requirements to find the right candidate.
Younger jobseekers are especially likely to support relaxing job criteria. Among Gen Z, 67% say current hiring requirements are too strict, and 71% wish employers would waive education requirements. Millennials share similar views, with 70% calling job requirements too stringent.
Employers Still Struggle With Skills Gaps
Despite relaxing qualifications, the challenge of ensuring new hires are prepared for the job remains. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of Canadian employers say the skills gap is growing — particularly among new employees.
Interestingly, while 75% of employers believe they have the tools to close that gap, many jobseekers see it differently. The report found that 75% of applicants believe the issue isn’t ability — it’s that employers are unwilling to provide proper training.
Training Builds Loyalty and Closes the Gap
The vast majority (91%) of jobseekers say they are more likely to stay with a company that offers training to address skills gaps and help new hires adjust to company culture.
Experts agree that onboarding and training shouldn’t just focus on the job itself. According to Robert Half, early training should introduce new employees to the company’s values and expectations: “The training and support you provide from day one can set the tone for the employee’s entire tenure at your firm.”
And to be effective, training must go beyond the basics. LinkedIn emphasizes that
“learning combined with career development — leadership training, coaching, internal mobility, and more — accelerates the flow of critical skills to keep pace with business needs.”
Adapting for Long-Term Success
Express CEO Bob Funk, Jr. explained that flexibility is now a vital trait in both jobseekers and employers.
“Many business leaders are finding that while priorities may differ, there’s common ground in practical strategies, such as flexible qualifications and onboarding programmes focused on long-term growth.”
As hiring challenges continue, the companies most likely to succeed may be those that drop rigid checklists in favour of adaptability, robust onboarding, and a willingness to invest in their workforce.
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