In the past, a degree was the main key to unlocking the doors to a successful career. Today, that is no longer the rule. In more and more industries, skills and experience are becoming more important than formal education, and in some sectors — a degree hardly plays any role.

We analyze what really determines employment today: a degree or practical knowledge. We look at the global labor shortage in industry and craftsmanship — fields where degrees are increasingly less in demand, and good hands and skills are valued more and more.

Craft and Industrial Jobs: A Persistent Shortage

What is often overlooked in these discussions is the huge shortage of labor in industrial and craft occupations worldwide. In this sector, skills are paramount, and formal degrees are often not even required.

Shortage Occupations:

- Welders, locksmiths, electricians

- Plumbers, carpenters, tilers

-Construction and machine workers

- Truck drivers and production workers

Why are there no workers?

- Qualified workers emigrating abroad

- Lack of young people willing to pursue trades

- Underestimated status of manual labor

- Education focused on office jobs

Consequences:

- High wages in shortage occupations

- Faster employment than in many academic professions

- Need for rapid retraining

Where Are Degrees Still Key?

Of course, there are areas where a degree is legally required and professionally indispensable:

- Medicine — You cannot become a doctor or pharmacist without university and a license

- Law — Legal education is required for lawyers, judiciary, and public prosecution

- Education — Teachers and professors must have appropriate qualifications

- Engineering and Architecture — Complex projects require formal education and licensing

- Public Sector — Government jobs almost always require a degree

In these cases, a degree is not just a formality — it is the foundation of professional responsibility and expertise.

The Best Combination: Degree + Skills

Today, the ideal candidate is someone who:

- Has a foundation through education,

- Develops skills through practice,

- And continuously improves through courses, projects, and real-world experience.

Many employers today do not require a degree as a condition — but if you have one, along with concrete skills, you will be at an advantage.

Sign up at Space For Jobs and find a job that values your skills — not just your degree!