Skills Over Degrees: The Rise of Skill-Based Hiring in B.C. Job Markets

If you’ve looked for a job recently or browsed local hiring websites, you may have noticed a welcome change. More and more companies in British Columbia (B.C.) are shifting their focus from degrees to real-world skills. This trend is growing across many industries and is changing how employers define a job-ready candidate.

Why the Shift?

For many years, a college or university degree was the main path into the workforce. Employers often looked for that one credential before considering a person’s experience or abilities. But that’s no longer the case.

There are a few reasons why this change is happening. First, technology is evolving quickly. As a result, some skills become outdated even before students finish school. Second, many sectors in B.C.—especially tech, trades, and creative fields—are facing worker shortages. Because of this, employers are widening their search for talent.

In fact, a 2023 report from the Business Council of British Columbia found that 77% of employers in the province see skill shortages as a major challenge. To solve this, many are rethinking what really matters when hiring.

What Is Skill-Based Hiring?

Skill-based hiring means choosing candidates based on what they can do, not just what’s on their diploma. For example, instead of requiring a computer science degree, a company might ask candidates to take a coding test. Or for design roles, they may review a portfolio instead of asking for an arts degree.

This hiring style recognizes that skills can come from many places—online courses, bootcamps, apprenticeships, freelance work, or self-teaching. It opens doors for people who don’t have formal education but do have talent and drive.

Industries Leading the Way in B.C.

1. Tech and IT

Tech is perhaps the most prominent industry embracing skill-based hiring. Companies in Vancouver’s booming tech sector, like Hootsuite, Clio, and Trulioo, often list practical qualifications like coding languages, UX design tools, or DevOps knowledge as more important than a traditional degree.

BrainStation and Lighthouse Labs—two skills-focused tech education programs based in Canada—partner with tech firms in B.C. to help graduates transition directly into roles, many of which do not require a formal degree.

2. Skilled Trades

Trade sectors like plumbing, electrical work, welding, and carpentry have long prioritized apprenticeships and certifications over degrees. Demand is growing here too: WorkBC predicts that nearly 70,000 job openings in skilled trades will occur by 2032, and many employers are waiving entry-level credential requirements in favour of practical training.

3. Creative and Digital Media

From film editors to content creators and graphic designers, B.C.’s thriving creative economy values skill and experience over educational pedigree. Many professionals in this space build their credibility through online portfolios, gig work, and project-based learning.

The Vancouver Film School and other bootcamp-type programs have become key stepping stones for high-skill creative roles that don’t necessarily require a university degree.

Benefits for Employers and Employees Alike

One major advantage of skill-based hiring is that it helps reduce barriers for people entering the workforce. Students who may not have the financial means to attend university can still carve out successful professional paths through community programs, online learning, or freelance experience.

For employers, dropping degree requirements enables access to a broader, more diverse talent pool. Many companies report that employees hired for talent and capability often adapt more quickly and outperform their traditionally-educated counterparts.

In fact, research from Harvard Business Review found that companies that dropped degree requirements for certain positions filled roles faster and retained staff longer.

Real-Life Success Stories

Consider the story of Priya Singh, a 29-year-old from Surrey. After leaving university due to financial pressures, she spent two years learning data analytics through free online courses and YouTube. She eventually landed a full-time role at a mid-sized firm by showing her project work and passing their real-world skills assessment.

Or Josh Miller, a fresh high school graduate from Nanaimo who was passionate about coding. With no formal education beyond grade 12, he completed a three-month coding bootcamp and was hired by a Victoria-based startup soon after, where he now leads software development projects.

The Role of Micro-Credentials and Certifications

Micro-credentials—short, competency-based recognition programs—are quickly growing in B.C. education and training circles. These targeted courses offer learners a way to upskill in a short time and prove their capability in specific areas.

BCcampus, a government-supported initiative, has been rolling out more micro-credential programs with provincial backing. These programs offer agile, just-in-time training for sectors ranging from health care to renewable energy, helping meet labor market needs quickly and effectively.

Challenges and Considerations

While skill-based hiring offers many positives, it isn’t without challenges. Some employers still rely heavily on degrees as a screening shortcut, especially in more traditional fields. Also, the absence of a degree can sometimes limit long-term advancement in hierarchical organizations.

There’s also the risk of inconsistent standards. Not all skills assessments are created equal, and some may be biased or fail to reflect actual job requirements. So while the trend is promising, a thoughtful and equitable approach is important.

Preparing for the New Job Landscape

For job seekers in B.C., adapting to this trend means thinking less about accumulating letters after your name and more about building a versatile, demonstrable skill set. Consider:

• Developing a strong portfolio showing real-world projects
• Earning micro-credentials or badges from recognized platforms
• Practicing interview skills that highlight problem-solving and adaptability
• Networking with professionals through online forums or meetups

Sites like LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and BCcampus’ micro-credential homepage offer quality resources that can help you gain and showcase industry-relevant skills.

Conclusion: It’s About What You Can Do

The rise of skill-based hiring in B.C. is more than a trend—it signals a broader transformation taking place in how we work and learn. Employers are beginning to value capability and adaptability over where someone studied.

While degrees still hold value in many areas, especially in regulated professions like law and medicine, there’s no denying that alternative pathways are gaining credibility and momentum. In a time when lifelong learning is key, your skill set might just be your strongest resume.

So whether you’re trying to break into tech, transition industries, or start fresh from scratch, remember this: in B.C.’s job market, what you can do is starting to matter much more than where you learned to do it.

 About the Author

BCjobs.ca is Western Canada’s largest job board, with a majority of the jobs coming from Vancouver. For over 20 years, BCJobs has connected job candidates with companies looking to add talent to their teams. Support the local job market by using BCJobs.ca.