Canadian employers waiving job requirements to fill roles: report

As many companies continue to face hiring struggles, most hiring managers in Canada (86 per cent) report their company has waived some job requirements to fill open roles, according to Express Employment Professionals.

Specifically, employers are waiving the following job requirements:

• Years of experience (52 per cent)
• Soft skills (35 per cent)
• Hard skills (32 per cent)
• Educational degrees (31 per cent)
• Professional certifications (29 per cent)

Additionally, 60 per cent say their company is willing to make exceptions to job requirements in certain instances, and 67 per cent are open to waiving degree requirements.

However, challenges persist, as 38 per cent admit they don’t know how to assess certifications or online degrees—an obstacle that may discourage broader adoption.

Prioritizing skills over education

Still, these adjustments align with jobseekers’ preferences.

More than 8 in 10 (84 per cent) of those seeking jobs believe companies should prioritise skills over formal degrees when hiring, while 71 per cent say employers should be willing to forgo some job requirements to find the right candidate, finds Express Employment Professionals.

Younger candidates are especially likely to believe hiring criteria should be loosened:

"In today’s evolving labour market, adaptability is increasingly recognised as a critical asset by both employers and job seekers," says Express CEO Bob Funk, Jr. "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. These approaches help bridge gaps in expectations while maintaining the high standards that drive sustainable success."

MBAs still matter, but “not as much as they once did,” according to one expert.

Training critical to meet staff needs: survey

Almost two-thirds (63 per cent) of Canadian employers say the skills gap is wider than ever before—particularly among new hires—even though most (75 per cent) believe their company has the tools it needs to close that gap, according to Express’s report.

Previously, 77 per cent of Canadian companies reported significant challenges in finding qualified workers, according to a study from the ManpowerGroup.

However, 75 per cent of jobseekers say the skills gap is less about a lack of ability and more about employers’ unwillingness to train, based on Express’s report, which drew from two surveys: one among 505 Canadian hiring decision-makers conducted from November 11–26, 2024, and another among 505 jobseekers aged 18 and older conducted from November 21 to December 6, 2024.

Providing training is critical for meeting companies’ staffing needs. The vast majority (91 per cent) of jobseekers say they would be more likely to stay at a company that provides resources to address skills gaps or offers training to help new hires integrate into the company culture.

According to Robert Half, every new hire “should be set up for success from the start”. 

“Your onboarding process should teach new employees not only about the job but also about the company culture and how they can contribute to and thrive in it. Don’t skimp on this critical first step. The training and support you provide from day one, whether in person or virtually, can set the tone for the employee’s entire tenure at your firm.”

And for companies to truly benefit from the training they provide to workers, the training should focus more on just learning new skills, according to LinkedIn.

“Learning combined with career development — leadership training, coaching, internal mobility, and more — accelerates the flow of critical skills to keep pace with business needs.”