Dive Brief:
- Increased learning opportunities are a top factor in job hunts for members of Gen Z, according to LinkedIn's latest Workforce Confidence Index research, released last month.
- Training — and the opportunity to practice newly acquired skills — ranked second for Gen Z job seekers, the youngest generation in the workforce, just behind "better alignment with my interests or values."
- Baby boomers hoping for a change showed the least interest in learning, ranking it behind both values alignment and better pay or benefits.
Dive Insight:
LinkedIn concluded that the newest members of the workforce are hungry for personal growth, a finding supported by other research.
A 2021 study from EY, for example, revealed that while members of Gen Z are generally confident about their technology skills and their ability to land a job, many say their education didn't prepare them to advance in their careers.
Workplace strategists have long recommended that employers showcase learning benefits as a way to appeal to Gen Z applicants. Development opportunities should be part of an employer's branding, sources previously told HR Dive, and managers can continue to communicate those options to workers once they're on board.
But learning and development pros can't focus solely on Gen Z, experts caution. Even beyond efforts to avoid discrimination, learning opportunities for all employees can advance DEI efforts and boost retention. The key to upskilling a multi-generational workforce, however, may be personalization. While some employees may prefer a collaborative classroom setting, others may prefer individual microlearning, L&D experts have said. A variety of options can drive widespread participation, they told HR Dive, as can employer recognition and rewards for completion.
