What is a suitable word for a desired/ideal level of education?

Boss speaking to employee:

"yes, you have the minimum education level but I'd say that for this task the __________ education level is X"

I used the word "minimum", but is there a better way of saying it?

(I need to say that for doing a specific task (such as "calling a customer on the phone") there is a minimum level of education.)

Saying "ideal education" is not good because it can mean "the highest possible education".

Should I say "desired education"?

Solution 1:

How about using:

required

e.g. "For this task the required education level is a college degree."

Solution 2:

If you have a specific educational standard that all applicants must meet, it's called a "prerequisite."

prerequisite (adj): 1. required beforehand

The prerequisite education for this job is a High School diploma.

A google books search shows that this expression is commonly used in expressing the specific requirements for employees. Such as this passage...

The training process cannot proceed effectively unless learners have the prerequisite education.

Or this...

Mandatory prerequisite education and training would provide consistency of knowledge among vessel operators.

To be clear, a prerequisite is a requirement for a specific educational standard which is not necessarily synonymous with a minimum standard. So, a minimum standard would be a High School education with a prerequisite educational requirement of fluency in Spanish.

Solution 3:

Consider using "desired".

Although you meet the minimum level of education, the desired level of education for this job is YYYY.

or maybe "preferred".

Although you meet the minimum level of education, the preferred level of education for this job is YYYY.