“It’s no exaggeration to say that the global pandemic and subsequent disruption to the education system has hugely impacted the learning and work experience opportunities of this year’s A-level leavers.

As the class of 2021 tackle the big question of “what next?” – whether it’s university, an apprenticeship, or an entry-level role – businesses have a responsibility to take into account that this year’s grades may not tell the full story of a candidate’s ability.

 “Employers must consider young people based on their skills and future potential, not just their formal qualifications or previous experience. One of the ways they can do this is by adopting skills-based hiring practices.

Not only can this help companies to expand their talent pools, but it can also help them to improve the diversity of their organisation. Creating a more equal playing field when it comes to getting a job is essential if we’re to help today’s school leavers find their next opportunity.

 “For school leavers who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and are looking for opportunities to develop their skills further, online learning courses can be a good place to start.

LinkedIn and Microsoft have made free courses available at opportunity.linkedin.com, where people can build skills for careers in fast growing roles like digital marketing, software development and design. There are also resources available to help people find a role and prepare for interviews, which will be a new experience for many candidates coming into the jobs market for the first time”.