Written by Dell Technologies
19/12/2018
The Gen-Z Effect.
Generation Z – those born after the mid-1990s – are tech-savvy, digital natives to the core and they’re joining your workforce. They bring new skills, high expectations and a desire to shake things up.
Dell Technologies surveyed 12,000 Gen Z secondary and post-secondary students. Results show they’re confident about their tech skills but unsure about their readiness for the workforce. Meanwhile, senior professionals worry they’ll be outpaced by Gen Z.
By 2020, Gen Z will make up 20% of a multigenerational workforce. To succeed in the era of human-machine partnerships, business leaders must bridge the digital divide to unleash the power of a diverse and future-ready workforce.
About the participants
12,086 Gen Z students were surveyed, between ages 16-23.
Implications for employers and educators:
- Tech-first approach: Technology must be emphasized to appeal to Gen Z – from hiring and onboarding, to the daily work experience.
STEM careers
- Encourage more women to pursue tech jobs, particularly in IT and research/development.
- Advanced tech in the classroom
- A.I. and machine learning should be integrated into the learning process early on.
Meet the Future Workforce: Gen Z
Gen Z is confident in their tech skills but unsure about their non-tech skills.
Gen Zers are full of tech swagger, but they worry about having the right soft skills and experience for the workforce.
- 77% are willing to be technology mentors to others at work
- 52% are more confident they have the tech skills employers want than non-tech skills
- 57% think their education has prepared them well for future careers
Non-tech skills
Companies can help Gen Z build soft skills and confidence through internships, job rotations and other programs.
Teaching for success
Schools must teach students how, not just what, to learn. Critical thinking, logic, judgement and creative drive are skills coveted by employers.
In Their Own Words
“The more technology you are familiar with, the more of an asset you can be to a company.”
-Kasheka Chitkara, age 21, studying management and information systems/analytics
ORIGINAL ARTICLE POSTED BY DELL TECHNOLOGIES