Tomorrow's Workforce: Are You Building the Future that Gen Z Wants to be a Part of?
Annual raises? Great. Benefits package? No brainer. Vacation time? Yes, please. But if Schitt's Creek taught us anything, it's that those things can come and go in the blink of an eye. The future of the workforce wants to give 60+ hours a week to organizations that have a soul. Don't get me wrong, those things are important. But they're no longer the things that will set you apart. And in a time where employees are jumping to greener pastures nearly every year, it might be time to think about what will.
Gen Z (people born between 1997 - 2012) will make up a third of the workforce by the end of the decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. And the 13% who are already in the workplace are not afraid to shake up the status quo and make their voices heard.
The next generation of employees is looking for organizations that share their values and are committed to building an inclusive and progressive culture.
So, what are the four things that the future of the workforce is looking for when they evaluate potential employers?
4 Priorities that Will Catapult Your Org into the Future
Empathy: Empathy is key. Employees want to work for organizations that care about a lot of things but also care about them as individuals who lead full lives. According to ADP's report, A Global Workforce View, a "caring workplace culture" is one of the top four things that employees now consider a need.
Diversity: Diversity is crucial. 80% of new graduates consider diversity in the workforce as "very important." Research has found that Gen Z wants to see actionable steps from companies looking to support underrepresented workers, from hiring more diverse candidates to helping them rise the ranks to leadership roles.
Relationships: Relationships are significant. Although many Gen Zers prefer remote work or consider it essential, making friends, networking, and finding a mentor are some of their biggest challenges. In fact, more than a fifth of Gen Zers (21%) report having no friends at work. (source) Providing opportunities for networking and mentorship can help alleviate this challenge and create a more connected workforce.
Growth (our word of the year!): Growth is a huge priority. Contrary to popular belief, "having a clear path for growth and opportunities for advancement within their company" is crucial to the next generation of our workforce. In fact, 76% of Gen Zers see upskilling as key to their career advancement. (source)
If you want your organization to have a future, it's time to take your cue from the future of the workforce. Employers who prioritize these values will attract, retain, and create more satisfied and productive employees.
Are you ready to build a workplace culture that will attract and retain the top talent of the future? Here are some resources to help you do just that!
Anchored Training's Free 2024 L&D Playbook: The perfect play starts with a plan. The 2024 L&D Playbook is your passport to disrupting the status quo, igniting a culture of engaged employees, and establishing a thriving ecosystem of continual learning and development. Learn more and download your playbook here!
The Kirkpatrick Evaluation Toolkit: The Kirkpatrick Model provides a comprehensive framework for evaluating training programs at four different levels: reaction, learning, behavior, and results. By implementing observations, coaching, feedback, and performance metrics, you can obtain more accurate evaluations and take ownership of your organization's success. Learn more here!
Anchored Training's Signature Blueprints: The learning blueprint is a comprehensive report that provides you guidance and recommendations on how to deliver your course to your ideal students. The blueprint is made up of a learner analysis, learner profile, course plan, and platform and tools recommendations. Click here to learn more about our blueprints!
2024 Trends to Embrace Webinar: 2024 has brought the sharpest learning curve in nearly 20 years. Make sure you're staying ahead by staying up-to-date with the latest in technology, hybrid work models, employee well-being resources, and the specific skills your leaders need to manage the future of the workforce. Catch the webinar replay here.
Have other learning and development needs? Contact us here! We are on a mission to help you GROW in 2024.
