Positive Hiring Trends Showed Among U.S. Employers, Highlighting an Escalating Demand for Talented Beginner Workers
Employers Emphasize the Importance of Personalized Learning in High Schools
A survey commissioned by the Lifelong Learning Administration Corporation (LLAC) has revealed that U.S. employers are in search of skilled entry-level workers, but a significant skill gap exists among candidates for these positions.
The survey, conducted by J. Wallin Opinion Research, interviewed 2,000 employers nationwide and an oversample to equal 450 within California. The margin of error was +/-2.2 percent (95 percent confidence interval) nationwide.
According to the survey, about 90% of employers believe that personalized learning programs in high school, such as those supported by LLAC, help produce better-prepared candidates for entry-level jobs. These personalized learning high school programs provide students with marketable trade skills and certifications through hands-on training, which employers view as beneficial in closing skill gaps.
The survey highlights a strong employer preference for entry-level candidates who have benefited from personalized learning high school programs. These programs improve readiness by providing relevant skills and certifications that employers value.
Most employers agree that additional job training and exposure during high school is key to preparing a skilled workforce. In fact, 74 percent of companies find it very important for high schools to include flexible learning models tailored to students' career or vocational interests.
Business and finance (small business, financial literacy), marketing/sales, and information technologies are among the areas where employers want job skills training in high school.
The survey results were released to coincide with Personalized Learning Month, emphasizing the value of tailoring education to individual learning styles to develop job and life skills applicable post-graduation.
The survey also found that 43% of employers have changed their hiring standards for entry-level candidates to accommodate reduced skill levels. Among the top skills that are lacking in entry-level candidates are time management, work ethic/dependability, communication skills, positivity, and greater professionalism.
55% of employers would be willing to pay between 10% and 20% more to entry-level candidates with industry certifications. 57% of those who have changed their standards feel it has negatively affected their organization's performance.
The survey also revealed that 59% of employers require certifications/training for new employees. 76% of employers find certifications valuable when entry-level applicants have them.
The survey results come at a time when a skilled workforce is among the top three concerns facing organizations in the next 12 months, after inflation and tariffs. 94% of employers plan to hire entry-level employees in the next 12 months, and 87% feel the demand for entry-level workers will continue over the next 24 months.
Lifelong Learning, a nonprofit that provides administrative and operational support to schools, is dedicated to empowering nonprofits and educational organizations that work to enrich lives and communities. The survey findings underscore the importance of personalized learning high school programs in addressing workforce skill shortages and producing better-prepared entry-level candidates.
The survey was conducted online from Friday, May 16, through Monday, June 2, 2025. The survey was released in August, which is Personalized Learning Month. 78% are willing to pay entry-level applicants more if they have required certifications. Among the entry-level jobs, 48% are paid between $25K-$50K/year.
- The survey results revealed that 78% of employers are willing to pay entry-level applicants more if they have the required certifications, indicating a link between personalized learning programs and financial compensation.
- In the cloud-based industry, 76% of employers find certifications valuable when entry-level applicants have them, suggesting that personalized learning programs can help bridge the skill gap in this sector.
- Employers in the education-and-self-development industry also place a high value on personalized learning, with 74% finding it very important for high schools to include flexible learning models tailored to students' career or vocational interests, emphasizing the importance of these programs for future professionals.
