UL Careers Early Careers Employer Survey 2026

What explains these entry level changes?

28%

21%

20%

19%

14%

13%

11%

7%

Increased productivity through technology or AI

Changes in client or project demand

Manager capacity to supervise and develop graduates

Difficulty finding work ready graduates

Changes in business strategy or operating model

Economic or market uncertainty

Pressure to control costs

Other

What are the expected duration of these changes?

57%

22%

14%

10%

Long-term or structural

Short-term (next 6-12 months)

Medium-term (1-2 years)

Too early to say

18