The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) reported that 70% of employers use skills-based hiring, focusing more on competencies than GPA or degrees alone. It also found GPA screening fell from 73% in 2019 to 42% in 2026.
Source: NACE: Employer Use of Skills-Based Hiring Practices Grows
What this means
Students who focus only on marks, but neglect communication, leadership, teamwork and initiative, may be disadvantaged in modern hiring markets.
The Lost Boys: State of a Nation
The Lost Boys report is a social justice initiative by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) (click the link for PDF) examining the growing challenges facing boys and young men today, including identity, mental health, education, employment and belonging.
The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) is a UK-based think tank and policy organisation focused on addressing poverty, inequality and social breakdown through research, advocacy and community-driven solutions.
The themes explored in this report have become increasingly visible in wider public conversations and media, including recent television dramas such as Netflix’s Adolescence. Both reflect growing concerns around identity, belonging, masculinity, online influence and the experiences of boys and young men in contemporary society. UK Prime Minister SIr Keir Starmer described the series as something that “hit home hard” after watching it with his teenage children, and later supported campaigns to make the series available in schools to encourage wider conversations around online influence, masculinity and youth wellbeing.
An Introductory Guide to the Manosphere and the Impacts for Young People, Teachers and Schools
This research guide explores the growing influence of online “manosphere” culture and its impacts on young people, schools and communities. Produced by ANROWS and Monash University, the publication examines issues surrounding identity, masculinity, online influence, misogyny and youth wellbeing in the digital age.
An educational resource developed by ANROWS (Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety) in collaboration with Monash University, examining the rise of manosphere culture, online influences affecting boys and young men, and the broader social impacts on schools, relationships and community wellbeing. The publication explores how digital spaces, social media personalities and online communities can shape attitudes around masculinity, identity, gender and belonging among young people today.
Designed for educators, parents, youth workers, community leaders and anyone seeking to better understand the evolving digital and social influences impacting young people, the resource provides research-based insights, practical context and guidance for navigating these important conversations within schools, families and communities.
Read the full resource here: https://www.anrows.org.au/resources/guide-to-the-manosphere/
Research widely supports mentoring as beneficial for confidence, career navigation, social capital and earnings progression.
A Reuters feature highlighted work by Alex Bell showing mentored young adults experienced stronger earnings outcomes.
Source: Reuters reporting on mentoring and earnings outcomes.
Guidance and coaching can create long term economic value
Australian employer research has repeatedly shown communication and interpersonal skills rank among the most valued graduate attributes.
Many parents invest heavily in tutoring maths or science, while overlooking one of the most commercially valuable skills: communication.