Move over millennials, Generation Z is here

Robin Whitehead

Generation Z are just entering the workforce, and they could bring an array of skills to the workplace. Robin Whitehead of industrial supplier Boulting Technology discusses how better engagement with this generation has benefited his company.

Over the past 20 years, technology has developed so quickly that many of us are struggling to keep up. When we’re struggling to use the latest operating system or smartphone, we often reminisce to a time when the most advanced form of technology was the floppy disk.

However, the generation entering the workforce this year is already accustomed to rapid technological developments, as it has never known a world without them.

Generation Z includes those born between the mid-90s and early ’00s. Unlike millennials, the majority of Gen Z has engaged with advanced technology from a young age. Gen Z has the inherent ability to engage with highly complex software and technology.

The real question is: will this wave of technically astute employees have a positive impact on the electrical and manufacturing industries? And more importantly, will recruitment and training become easier because of Generation Z’s existing technical knowledge and ability to grasp new concepts?

Generation Z could bring an array of technological skills to your business, but to entice the new workforce, it’s important to make changes to your recruitment strategy.

At Boulting Technology, we know that our success depends on having the right people with the right skills. We regularly recruit apprentices, graduates and trainees, and this year is no exception.

To prepare for Generation Z, we have begun engaging with young people in real life and on social media, as well as producing more dynamic online content that will inspire them to learn more about our industry.

It’s likely that the next generation of workers will be more capable of carrying out various tasks, from the more traditional electrical equipment installation and maintenance, to managing social media accounts and producing technical content. Showing potential employees that these opportunities are available helps you stand out from other workplaces in terms of diversity and progression.

Research suggests Generation Z prefers in-person communication with managers and peers. They also show preference to well-defined chains of command and teaching-style leadership.

Millennials may also have an easier time managing Generation Z in the workplace than their superiors did with them. This is due to their shared characteristics, such as high levels of self-confidence, a desire to learn new skills and a ‘can-do’ attitude towards work. Employers can make the most of these similarities by offering new employees the chance to collaborate with a more senior member of staff.

Worryingly though, 83 per cent of today’s students believe three years or less is an appropriate amount of time to spend at their first job, and over a quarter of students believe they should stay in their first job for a year or less.

To counteract these statistics, employers need to ensure Generation Z employees are aware of their opportunities to progress, the potential career they have ahead of them. They should put a structured training plan into place, which encompasses professional development and long-term career progression.

We already run a well-practiced mentoring programme to support graduate engineers. They have capitalised on the depth and breadth of engineering expertise within their workforce to develop their graduates to a high level of expertise. This proactive programme has seen graduate recruits shine and develop their careers and staff retention is high – something other workplaces could try for themselves.

This year, Generation Z will be entering the workplace and, if you don’t recruit them, your competitors will. By adapting your recruitment strategy to suit younger job seekers, your workforce will become more diverse and technologically advanced.

Robin Whitehead is business development and strategic projects director at Boulting Technology