Why More Gen Z Are Seeking Mentorship For Professional Growth

he job market constantly evolves, with technical advancements and innovations becoming the norm rather than an exception. This dynamic reality has made it essential for companies to upskill and reskill their existing workforce and train new hires to bridge the skill gap.

Corporate job training is necessary for students looking for competitive job opportunities in 2021. Today, in addition to traditional academia, companies also take up the role of educators, offering inexpensive or free certifications that provide job skills training.

Let's dive deeper into why corporate job training is becoming essential for Gen Z students.

The Adobe Future Workforce Study delves into the career motivations and workplace expectations of Generation Z (Gen Z), the generation set to reshape the post-pandemic workforce.

Conducted with over 1,000 early career starters from Gen Z employed at medium to large-sized U.S. companies, the study aims to comprehend the perspectives and behaviours guiding their career decisions and what they anticipate from employers to optimize their performance.

Gen Z places a significant value on career guidance, with 83% expressing the importance of having a workplace mentor for their career development. However, the study reveals that only half of the respondents (52%) have a mentor.

Despite their apparent focus on career development, 55% of participants disclosed engaging in career development training programs less than once a month, primarily attributing this to a lack of time.

When asked about the types of training they desire, 48% expressed a preference for more training on hard skills pertinent to their jobs, whereas 33% sought increased emphasis on soft skills development.

As Tara Salinas, a business ethics professor at the University of San Diego, highlighted in a CNBC report, establishing a company's budget for personal and professional development conveys a message to employees that their growth is valued and the company is invested in preventing stagnation.

According to Salinas, graduates entering the workforce often encounter managers who may not fully appreciate their eagerness to learn.

For workers seeking continuous learning opportunities, mentorship plays a crucial role. It provides a platform for skill enhancement and exposes more experienced employees to new technologies.

Tara Salinas emphasizes the dual nature of mentorship for Generation Z. While the traditional perception involves older individuals mentoring younger counterparts, Salinas notes that the dynamic can be reversed in the case of Gen Z.

Gen Z employees, being tech-savvy, have the potential to mentor older colleagues on technologies they may still need to understand.

The changing job markets and technological innovations require individuals to learn new skills continually. Gen Z students, born between the mid-'90s and mid-2000s, are no different.

They are a generation that witnessed the burgeoning of social media, smartphones replacing conventional phones, and the creation of autonomous vehicles. Therefore, it is no surprise that they have actively asked corporate recruiters about job-specific skill training.

Companies like Microsoft, Adobe, Hubspot, and Google now offer students inexpensive or free certifications that provide job skills training, making it more affordable for students to learn essential skills.

Large multinational corporations such as AT&T, Apple, and Adobe are actively prioritizing job and skill training for their existing employees and new hires, keeping their workforce relevant and competitive in the job market.

They recognize the importance of holistic training, not only in hard skills but also in honing soft skills. Job-specific training also includes reskilling and upskilling to enhance employee competencies or improve knowledge in new technical areas.

Indeed, Gen Z students have an edge here; they are part of a generation that grew up with technology and are known as digital natives. Because of this, they already possess a base level of technical knowledge but now require more specific skill sets relevant to their industry or job role.

Corporate job training has become essential to bridge the skill gap and keep them updated in a job market that mandates continuous learning.

It's not just the individual employee that benefits from corporate job training. For companies, it aids in reducing turnover and enhancing productivity. Companies that invest in skill training often have better employee retention rates.

Employees recognize that their employers' commitment to training is advantageous to their career path, and they remain loyal to their employers.

In conclusion, the job market is changing rapidly, and more than traditional academia is needed for individuals to succeed. The importance of corporate job training for students and employees in the current dynamic job scenario cannot be understated, especially for the young and tech-savvy Gen Z students.

Organizations prioritising job training are more likely to enhance their workforce's skill set, remain relevant in the industry, and have a competitive work environment.

Continuous education and training are essential in any career, and students and young professionals must recognize the value of corporate programs to hone job-specific skills and stay ahead of the curve.

It’s interesting to note that Gen Z students are asking corporate recruiters whether companies will help them get new skills to do their job. This is a great way for students to ensure that they are keeping their skills relevant as jobs change.