‘Team Degree’ or ‘Team Skills’ - which side are you on?

Ten years ago, hiring tech talent without a degree seemed unthinkable. Today, it's fast becoming the norm, which raises the question - are you keeping up?

A Computer Science degree was once considered essential for a career in development, but companies are starting to shift focus towards skill-based hiring, prioritising hands-on experience over formal qualifications. 

A degree doesn’t guarantee real-world skills. Many grads struggle to apply what they’ve learned, while self-taught devs and bootcamp grads come into the market ready to build. This disconnect between education and industry needs has left companies scrambling for talent, while yet another generation of South African grads find themselves stuck in an uncertain job market, wondering why their degrees aren’t opening doors. 

The tech talent shortage has forced companies to a point where they need to rethink how they hire. Skills drive innovation, not credentials. Yet, many still cling to outdated hiring models. No degree? No job. Meanwhile, work is borderless. Local talent unable to find opportunities at home are being scooped by global companies paying in USD, GBP and the Euro, yet many employers are still filtering talent by degrees. It’s time to ask yourself - has your hiring process adapted to this century? 

Industry giant IBM (along with counterparts Google and Apple) have relaxed degree based requirements for many of their tech roles, emphasising the demand for skills and experience instead. Studies indicate that skill-based hiring not only fosters workplace adaptability but also drives diversity and inclusion, expanding the talent pool.

While degrees are by no means obsolete, the market is shifting towards a hybrid hiring approach. Rather than relying solely on degrees, companies should evaluate candidates based on practical skills, real-world experience, portfolio projects, technical assessment and their ability to learn and adapt with a proven track record of up-skilling.

Right now, tech hiring is shifting. Skills come first. Degrees still hold value, but they’re no longer the only ticket to a fulfilling career. Whether you’re hiring or job-hunting, real-world ability is what counts.

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