‘New-collar’ hiring: SOFTSWISS-Pentasia report reveals experience trumps degrees

Companies are hiring fewer employees and are increasingly prioritising proven performance over academic qualifications, according to a new report by SOFTSWISS, a global iGaming software provider, and staffing consultancy Pentasia.

The report highlights that up to 60 per cent of new jobs may not require a traditional university degree by 2030, reflecting the rise of so-called “new-collar” roles, which prioritise demonstrated skills, practical experience and expertise over formal qualifications. The findings are based on data analysis from LinkedIn and open sources, company surveys, as well as a review of hiring trends in the iGaming sector for 2025.

Companies are moving away from large-scale entry-level hiring and focusing on mid-level and senior professionals who can deliver immediate results. Following aggressive recruitment during the pandemic-driven technology boom, many organisations are now shifting towards efficiency, productivity and measurable outcomes, rather than team size.

Junior role hires down, advanced AI skills favoured

“Entry-level roles are being deprioritised in favour of mid-level and senior hires with advanced skill sets, while expertise in artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly becoming an expected qualification for candidates across various roles,” stated Alastair Cleland, Managing Director of Pentasia.

“Artificial intelligence is clearly transforming entry-level positions by automating routine, procedural and administrative tasks, though not eliminating them entirely. This is leading to reduced hiring for junior roles such as data entry, basic programming and research-based positions.”

AI and automation are reducing repetitive tasks while simultaneously increasing demand for analytical, monitoring and decision-making skills. Many companies now consider AI knowledge to be a core competency for an expanding range of roles. In light of these developments, organisations report senior-level positions remain the most difficult to fill, particularly in engineering, DevOps and cybersecurity.

“At our company, most engineering roles that open are now at senior level. The expectation is that an employee will join and begin delivering value within a few weeks,” noted Denis Romanovskiy, Chief AI Officer of SOFTSWISS.

“Every engineer undergoes an interview process that includes assessment of programming skills and system design, with particular emphasis on systems thinking, as well as soft skills. The ability to use AI tools in the workplace is now taken for granted and no longer even a point of discussion.”

The talent market for digital roles is now global and operates on a remote-first basis, enabling companies to recruit internationally and access professionals regardless of location.

About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is a global technology company providing award-winning software solutions for the iGaming industry since 2009. Supported by a team of over 2,000 specialists, SOFTSWISS serves more than 1,000 international brands.