Blog

Is adaptability the key to unlocking career shifts in 2026 and beyond?

27 Feb. 2026

With four million people in the UK switching careers since the pandemic, the days of staying in one job, or indeed with one employer, indefinitely are gone. That pace isn’t set to slow, with research suggesting that anywhere from a third to a half of UK workers plan to find new jobs in the next 12 months, with one in three people wishing to completely change careers.

For some, career change is a choice. For others, it’s a necessity.
Common reasons for change include a desire for better pay or flexibility; escaping burnout, stress, and toxic work cultures; or searching for the next step, on or something a little more ‘you’. External forces are also hard at play: by 2030, 70% of the skills used in most jobs will change, with artificial intelligence (AI) the main catalyst. 40% of employers also expect workforce reductions due to AI automating tasks. Career change may be a luxury of the modern work landscape. It may also be an inevitability for some. 

So, job roles are morphing, shaped not only by technology, but also the green agenda, shifting demographics, and employees’ expectations. Whether you view that change as a possibility or a threat is crucial. 

Despite the uncertainty of career change, it often leads to positive outcomes. Regular job movers experience 4.3% higher pay growth than those who don’t change roles and 78% of people say their new roles are more fulfilling. Yet many people hesitate, feeling stuck by a lack of confidence, skills, relevant experience, and financial security.
The good news? Those gaps are bridgeable… 

Being able to flex into new roles and adopting a keen appetite for learning can really help you move through this evolving landscape. But, what are the key skills employer are looking at right now?

IN-DEMAND SKILLS
The most valuable skills for 2026 and beyond blend technical knowledge with human strengths, which set people apart in a working world increasingly powered by AI. 
Conversely, routine and repetitive tasks such as data entry, basic accounting, and admin support are declining.

TECHNICAL SKILLS can range from entry-level IT equipment and software knowledge to coding and data analysis skills. Even non-technical roles – from delivery drivers to hairdressers – increasingly require input and a comfortability with technology, while 70% of employers consider analytical thinking and data literacy essential for future roles. 
Two-thirds of employers plan to hire people with specific AI skills, while the International Labour Organization predicts the green economy could create 24 million jobs by 2030.
Particularly sought-after technical skills therefore include: 

• AI literacy
• Data analysis
• Cybersecurity
• Cloud computing
• Green and sustainability-focused skills

 

• What can be done to be savvier to these demands? Try: Exploring online courses in AI, cybersecurity, data, and communication tools. Search LinkedIn Learning or look for free webinars.
• Experiment with AI tools such as ChatGPT, Canva Magic Write, or Microsoft Copilot.
• Ask questions when you encounter technical challenges, learn shortcuts and common fixes.

HUMAN SKILLS like creativity, empathy, and good judgement are hard to replace and are much sought after skills to display. The ability to connect, communicate and collaborate are the building blocks of careers in health and social care, or sport and fitness, and invaluable assets for project, team and company leaders alike.
Employers will put more value into examples of: 

• Adaptability and resilience
• Learning agility
• Emotional intelligence and empathy
• Judgment, problem solving and decision-making
• Creativity and innovation
• Collaboration and stakeholder management 
• Conflict resolution

What ways can you ensure you are honing these skills?

• Volunteer for cross-functional projects or a task slightly outside of your comfort zone.
• Invite feedback and positive challenges – what could you do differently next time?
• Ask questions, document agreements, and use project boards to keep projects and relationships on track.
• Acknowledge others’ contributions.
• Practise summarising complex ideas into three key points.
• Read something new.
• Take up a new creative or problem solving hobby.

These transferable skills – be they technical or human – are critical for changing careers. The importance of continual learning and developing new skills therefore can’t be overstated. If you can adapt, you can thrive.

Ongoing preparation for a potentially unexpected change is also wise: networking accounts for 70% of successful career changes. While for those actively planning a switch, the plan is important – especially in terms of household budgeting. Professional guidance from career coaches or mentors can help clarify goals and identify your often self-forgotten unique selling points.

The most successful career switchers won’t just be technically capable. They’ll be those people able to repeatedly adapt to change and learn new skills – with a smile on their face. 

If that sounds like you – join us, here:  Search Ingeus Career Opportunities | Ingeus