The fresh faces entering your workforce right now belong to Generation Z, a group of about 67 million folks born between 1995 and 2010. Unlike Millennials, who grew up alongside the Internet and smartphones, Gen Zers were born into a world where those things were just part of daily life. They’re hungry for info, super tech-savvy, and love working with others.

With about 10,000 baby boomers retiring every day and unemployment at record lows, Gen Z is stepping up to fill the gaps in the job market. That means companies are already thinking about how to train and develop these new workers to keep up with today’s fast-paced work world.

So, what’s the game plan for training Gen Z? Well, it’s all about understanding how they learn.

How Does Gen Z Learn?

Think back to the last decade in education. Teachers started getting creative with digital tech, shifting away from old-school lectures and textbooks to more interactive, digital learning. For Gen Z, learning has become more hands-on, with online tools and lots of teamwork.

Gen Z Learns by Doing

Forget about sitting still and listening quietly. Gen Zers want to roll up their sleeves and dive into challenges. They learn best when they’re actively involved, tackling problems and testing their knowledge. And they’re all about making learning their own, pulling info from different sources to fit their style.

Gen Z Loves On-Demand Learning Tools — Especially Videos

Gen Zers grew up with access to tons of info, whenever they needed it. They expect to find what they’re looking for right away, and they’re big fans of learning through videos. Whether it’s watching recorded lectures, checking out study guides online, or browsing YouTube, video is their go-to for learning new stuff.

And when it comes to video, YouTube is like their holy grail. They’re watching videos all the time, not just for fun but also for education. Seriously, almost 80% of Gen Z uses YouTube, watching an average of 68 videos a day across social media platforms. It’s like their version of email or the phone — indispensable for learning and entertainment.

Gen Z Digs Collaborative, Social Learning

Contrary to the stereotype of the lonely screen addict, Gen Zers are super social. They’re all about connecting with others, both near and far. Blending online discussions with face-to-face teamwork is their jam. And they don’t see a big difference between the online and offline worlds. They value in-person interactions just as much as virtual ones.

So, how do you train and develop Gen Zers in your organization?

4 Ways to Adapt Corporate Training for Gen Z

1. Go Mobile: Make sure your training materials and digital tools are mobile-friendly. Gen Z wants to access everything from their phones, wherever they are.
2. Embrace Video: Gen Z loves learning through videos, so make sure your training content includes them. Short, snappy videos work best — they’d rather watch a quick clip than read a long document.
3. Hands-On Learning: Give Gen Zers opportunities to practice what they’re learning. Role plays, simulations, and other interactive activities help them grasp concepts better.
4. Foster Social Learning: Encourage knowledge sharing among Gen Z employees. Provide tools like video messaging apps to facilitate informal learning and collaboration.

If you want to engage Gen Z and set them up for success, make sure your training and development programs are flexible, collaborative, and hands-on. By embracing their love for tech and social interaction, you’ll create a learning environment where Gen Zers can thrive.

At SOLIS, we don’t just find the Next Generation of Recruitment Rookies, we are developing a ‘best in class’ talent Academy encompassing all of the above, so you can keep your eye on the prize, whilst we do the rest. The best bit, it’s FREE.

Whilst talent is evenly distributed, opportunity is not. Join our waiting list today and give Chris a call to learn more about how we can help you with your talent and retention challenges.