Gen Z is projected to make up 27% of the global workforce by 2025 and will be the largest generation in the workforce by 2035. As many Gen Z workers begin their careers, understanding how to attract, engage and retain them is a critical business strategy to keep your organization vibrant and growing.
Udemy recently released a study called “Gen Z in the Workplace: Welcoming the Next Generation.” This new survey is based on responses from over 6,500 multigenerational learners and sheds light on perceptions of Gen Z, which the report defines as people born between 1997 and 2012. The survey provides valuable insights into what Gen Zers are looking for in an employer, what skills they consider important for career development, and what motivates them to close knowledge gaps.
“Gen Z in the Workplace: Welcoming the Next Generation” dismantles some stereotypes about Gen Z and explores key themes employers should consider when engaging with this generation.
- The majority of Gen Z respondents (70%) say they are likely to use an online learning platform that offers a personalized learning experience powered by AI. Despite their interest in using AI for learning, Gen Z is also concerned about AI accuracy (48%) and potential bias in AI-powered personalized learning experiences (38%).
- Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X are all eager to learn how to use GenAI effectively. GenAI courses on the Udemy platform attracted over 4 million enrollments last year alone, with eight new enrollments every minute. Leveraging the power of AI is appealing to the Gen Z workforce, but leaders must evaluate how and where to deploy AI to improve the experience for Gen Z learners and ensure bias and inaccuracies don't undermine the process.
- While Gen Z sees value in gaining skills in programming (36%) and artificial intelligence (30%) to prepare them for the workforce, they are also keen to develop skills such as communication (30%) and critical thinking/problem-solving (26%).
- The majority of Gen Z respondents (84%) believe that soft skills are critical to professional success. As soft skills become more important in the workforce, leaders can use tools like Udemy's Intelligent Skills Platform to identify soft skills gaps and develop skill sets among Gen Z. As a result, other generations can learn from Gen Z how to effectively use soft skills in the workplace to advance their careers and also contribute to business success.
How can HR and L&D leaders respond to Gen Z’s changing preferences?
Gen Z has a thirst for knowledge, and their preference for continuous, contextual learning methods runs counter to the stereotype that short video snippets via social media are their primary means of absorbing information. HR and L&D leaders can design learning programs with their preferences in mind, or consider offering different learning formats, such as cohort-based learning, to bridge the learning and communication preferences across generations.