LinkedIn has revealed the top 15 skills on the rise in the UK, with relationship building, strategic thinking, and AI literacy topping the list as businesses grapple with hiring challenges and shifting workplace demands.

The 2025 Skills on the Rise list – the fastest-growing skills that professionals should be investing in – shows a growing demand for both technical capabilities and uniquely human ‘soft’ skills. However, despite an increasing number of professionals looking for new roles, many businesses are struggling to find candidates with the right mix of skills.

The UK’s ‘soft skills’ gap is widening

While more than 3 in 5 (61%) UK professionals are on the hunt for a new job in 2025, LinkedIn data shows that UK business confidence in attracting top talent has dropped within the past year from +57 down to +50. A key reason is the growing mismatch between the skills employers need and the skills that job seekers have.

Soft skills, in particular, are becoming harder to find. Nearly half (45%) of UK hirers say that finding candidates with the right soft skills is one of their biggest hiring challenges. This is set to intensify, as 7 out of 10 (69%) HR professionals believe more people are now leaving full-time education without the soft skills needed to thrive in the workplace.

These concerns are also shared by UK professionals, with 1 in 5 (20%) worried they won’t have the skills needed for the future. The good news is that professionals are eager to learn. In fact, opportunities to learn new in-demand skills is the #1 factor they say would help them advance their careers.

AI is redefining hiring and learning 

With skills gaps widening, UK businesses are increasingly turning to AI to streamline recruitment and bridge skills gaps.

New LinkedIn data reveals that nearly half (45%) of UK recruiting teams are now actively integrating or experimenting with AI tools – up from just 27% last year. Two-thirds (66%) say that AI is making skills-based hiring easier, and another 66% say that AI has already helped them to identify candidates they might not otherwise have found.

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On top of this, UK recruiters report that AI is saving them an average of 18% of their workweek – equivalent to nearly a full working day each week.

Janine Chamberlin, head of LinkedIn UK, said: “The world of work is undergoing a huge shift, and it’s becoming increasingly tough for UK businesses to find the skills they need. With 70% of the skills required for jobs set to change by 2030, companies must adapt to stay competitive.

“AI is already helping businesses hire more efficiently, but it’s also playing a critical role in upskilling workforces – ensuring professionals have the right skills to thrive in the future. It’s encouraging to see UK companies treating learning as business-critical and embracing AI-driven solutions to bridge the skills gap. Those taking action today will be best positioned for long-term success.”