Recruitment alone won't close the skills gap
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Employer demand is growing faster than student interest in some of the largest workforce pipelines. Australia needs around 150,000 more engineers over the next decade, and the US projects around 189,000 registered nurse openings every year, while student interest in both fields is flat or falling.
The second edition of University as a Connector, developed by Nous Group with data from Studyportals and Lightcast, compares student demand with employer demand from 2022 to 2025. It explores:
- Where student and employer demand are diverging, market by market
- Why business and engineering remain the most persistent gaps
- How AI is reshaping skills within disciplines, not only creating new ones
- Why the connector role now reaches beyond enrolment to employment
- Three choices universities need to make on portfolio, pathways and AI
New to the series? Read the first edition (2023).
Subject areas to watch in 2023
Growing subject areas where the demand for Bachelor's and Master's programmes outstrips supply .
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University as a Connector 2026
Where student demand and workforce need are drifting apart across Australia, Canada, the UK and the US, and what universities can do next.
University as a Connector 2026
Where student demand and workforce need are drifting apart across Australia, Canada, the UK and the US, and the choices universities need to make next.
How the University of Portsmouth used data to
succeed in an increasingly competitive environment
Be responsive in times of uncertainty. Read more about how Studyportals helped the University of Portsmouth to navigate a challenging market and sustain international enrolment growth.
Interested in using Studyportals' insights to improve your student recruitment strategy?
Interested in learning how Studyportals can assist with international student recruitment?
Be responsive in times of uncertainty. Read more about how Studyportals helped the University of Portsmouth to navigate a challenging market and sustain international enrolment growth.
Fields with the largest increase in AI skill demand, Australia
Job ads requesting 1+ AI skill. Source: Lightcast, Nous Group analysis
Fields with the largest increase in AI skill demand, Australia
Job ads requesting 1+ AI skill. Source: Lightcast, Nous Group analysis
Explore the findings with the authors
Join Nous Group and Studyportals for a one-hour webinar on how universities can better connect student demand, workforce need and graduate pathways.
24 November 2026
11:00 to 12:00 AEDT (Sydney)
With Zac Ashkanasy, Nous Group, and Carlie Sage, Studyportals
Register for 24 November1 December 2026
15:00 to 16:00 GMT (London)
With Nic Dillon, Nous Group, and Archie Pollock, Studyportals
Register for 1 December