Train drivers, trades and tech roles top list of £60k careers without degrees
As thousands of students recieve their A-Level results today, new labour market data suggests that university is not the only path to a secure and well-paid career.
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Compensation & Benefits
Barista-quality coffee now a workplace essential, research reveals
Thrive London's research of 1,000 British employees and 100 employers revealed the pivotal role coffee now plays in workplace satisfaction and performance.
40% of employers admit take-up of employee benefits is left for employees to initiate
In the same research, GRiD found that 71% of employers anticipated that they will struggle with recruitment this year.
Recruitment & HR
Stick to the rules on scheme loans or risk enforcement action, TPR warns trustees
The regulator has said it will continue raising standards of trusteeship through its supervisory approach and forthcoming guidance on what good practice looks like.
Government launches network of Technical Excellence Colleges to support construction jobs
More than 40,000 future builders, bricklayers, electricians, carpenters and plumbers will be trained at a new network of Technical Excellence Colleges (TECs) unveiled by the Government.
Great British Energy – Nuclear launches early careers programme on International Youth Day
The initiative forms part of the company’s commitment to investing in the next generation of nuclear professionals.
“Bold action” still needed to continue addressing Tory jobs failures, says TUC
TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: “Years of Tory cuts and underinvestment have left big challenges in the jobs market – including continued growth in the use of insecure zero hours contracts."
Inclusivity, Equality & Diversity
Action needed to support youth employment as labour market continues to cool – CIPD
The warning comes as new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed a continued drop in job vacancies, now at levels last recorded in early 2015.
Gender pay gap in transport sector remains above national average – WIT
This figure is higher than the UK average, and 65% of organisations had no plan in place to address it.
First Bus, LNER, and Steer among sector leaders in 2025 Women in Transport Equity Index
Other sector winners included Wm Armstrong, Mintra, Campaign for Better Transport, Sustrans, and West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Neurodiversity-related employment tribunal claims see sharp rise since 2020
Analysis from Irwin Mitchell revealed that the number of tribunal decisions citing ADHD rose from just six in the first half of 2020 to 51 in the first half of 2025.
Technology
SMEs risk losing ground as AI adoption accelerates among larger firms
According to Joe Phelan, business savings expert at money.co.uk, while AI is transforming how organisations work many smaller firms remain held back by skills shortages, unclear strategies and doubts over investment.
Thrive acquires Huler to create AI-powered employee experience platform
By combining Huler’s UX-first smart intranet, Thrive’s AI-powered learning tools, and mentoring expertise from Guider, the companies aim to deliver a “truly AI-first employee experience."
Budget and technical barriers top list of challenges in accessing external data, Decodo research finds
Decodo.com’s survey of 1,000 decision-makers reveals budget constraints, anti-bot technology, and infrastructure gaps are the main obstacles for businesses collecting or accessing external data.
Health & Wellbeing
Business school candidates undervalue ‘human’ skills compared with employer expectations, GMAC survey finds
GMAC research shows business school applicants prioritise technical skills over teamwork, initiative, and coachability, despite employers rating these “human” skills more highly.
NHS to overhaul recruitment for newly qualified nurses and midwives
Under the new plan, NHS providers will begin hiring staff before vacancies formally arise, with recruitment based on projected need rather than current headcount.
Vitality’s Champion Programme boosts workforce activity and productivity
An extra 750 employees signed up as champions, bringing the total to 2,139 across more than 1,200 companies.
University of Bedfordshire awarded Mental Health Charter for wellbeing commitment
Rebecca Bunting said: “This award reflects the commitment of our entire community to creating a supportive, inclusive environment for all."
Employee Relations
David Spear Commercials transfers 60% of the business to an EOT
Transferring to a partial EOT model has enabled David Spear Commercials to remain independent, locally rooted and people led.
Authenticity and empathy ranked as top leadership qualities in insurance sector
Research by The Clear Company reveals insurance professionals value authenticity and empathy above all other traits in inclusive leaders, ahead of the Dive In Festival.
Less than half of UK employees receive financial wellbeing support, CloudPay warns
Research from payroll provider CloudPay shows only 48% of UK employees are offered financial wellbeing support, as the UK marks National Financial Awareness Day.
Most Brits back equal minimum wage for 18 to 20-year-olds – YouGov
One in five (22%) said there should be a lower minimum wage for people under 21 and 67% said the same minimum wage should apply to everyone over 18.
Global HR
Talent shortages driving company location decisions, survey finds
Savills and CoreNet Global found that 73% of respondents in the technology sector reported a drop in skilled staff.
HSI acquires HandsHQ to expand risk management and workforce training
Jamie Carruthers said: “The combined expertise of HSI and HandsHQ means our customers will have access to the best-in-class technology and industry-leading practices."
Pearson and HCLTech partner to deliver AI-driven upskilling for global workforce
The deal will see Pearson use HCLTech’s engineering and digital tools to create new AI-powered training, assessment and workforce analytics products.
Firms failing to use global mobility strategically, warns Vialto
Only 23% of firms said their mobility function was either 'strategic' or an 'influencer' in business matters.