Many employers are finding it challenging to navigate the influx of younger employees. In fact, recent studies show almost all managers (96%) have reported experiencing difficulties in engaging with Gen Z employees.

It’s certainly true they have a different view on work expectations, however it’s not all negative.

Differences can stem from various factors, including their status as a digital-native generation, and the lingering effects of COVID-19 lockdowns. However, there are effective strategies to address these challenges and support young people in your workplace.

This blog post will explore how to attract and retain fantastic Gen Z talent with apprenticeships and more!

What are the challenges employers face with Gen Z employees?

Having grown up entirely in the digital age, Gen Z holds unique cultural values; prioritising diversity, inclusivity, social responsibility, and work-life balance more than previous generations. Their constant exposure to short-form content has also shortened their attention spans but made them highly efficient at processing information and innovating.

Facing economic pressures like rising living costs and student debt, they prioritise financial stability, favouring salary and job security over long-term loyalty. These economic challenges often result in lower motivation in traditional work settings, pushing employers to offer competitive salaries and benefits to attract and keep Gen Z talent.

Why are Gen Z employees different from previous generations?

Unlike earlier generations, Gen Z places a high value on work-life balance; they aren’t willing to sacrifice personal time for work and prefer jobs that offer flexibility, respect their boundaries and provide on-the-clock training.

They also prefer using technology in all aspects of their work, expecting employers to provide up-to-date tools and software that enhance productivity and streamline tasks. Rather than being afraid of using AI, Gen Z are ready to embrace changes in technology and leverage it to streamline their efforts.

Gen Z are also rarely content with staying in one position for long and expect clear pathways for growth and development within their roles - but don’t worry, we’ll tackle this retention issue later in the blog!

How to support and attract Gen-Z in the workplace

Retaining young people in the workplace

Retaining young people in the workplace is a growing challenge, with the same study showing 53% of employers struggling to keep Gen Z employees. They’re more likely to job-hop, making it essential for businesses to understand and meet their demands while striking a balance between their needs and the requirements of the company.

With the popularisation of WFH and a push for work-life balance, Gen Z is asking for flexible working arrangements, competitive salaries, hybrid work opportunities, wellbeing support, and mentoring or shadowing programmes.

By assessing which of these demands align with your business, you can attract the right talent and improve retention.

Proving opportunities for development

Over half (58%) of organisation leaders report a mismatch between young people’s skill levels and employer expectations, particularly noting a decline in soft skills such as communication, teamwork, time management, and technical abilities.

For example,  think Gen Z candidates lack soft skills, claiming that they struggle to maintain eye contact, ask for unreasonable work compensation, or dress inappropriately when attending interviews.

To bridge this gap, employers should focus on developing these skills in their young employees by providing targeted training and support.

Take a personalised approach with Gen Z talent

If you want to develop your Gen Z talent, start by first identifying their goals and skill gaps.

Conduct surveys to understand their specific needs, then provide one-on-one support to help them achieve their goals and yours!

Offer wellbeing support

In an increasingly digital world, Gen Z employees can feel isolated, especially during times of economic downturns and remote work. With 24% of Gen Z workers seeking more wellbeing support, addressing this need can boost mental health and prevent low productivity.

Provide feedback

Provide feedback to your Gen Z employees if they aren't performing well, just as you would with any other employee. Offering constructive feedback and taking a personal development approach can help them improve and grow in their role.

Think of it more as guiding them to their goals!

Set clear expectations and guidelines

It’s important to consider that many of your Gen Z employees might be in their first role, and they might not fully understand what’s expected of them in the workplace.

To support them through this, set clear expectations and guidelines and be clear and thorough during their induction so they know exactly what they need to achieve.

Flexible work arrangements

As part of the push for a better work-life balance from the younger generation, many Gen Z employees prefer flexible working arrangements. Consider offering options to work from home, in the office, or a hybrid model with designated office and remote workdays.

Hire young people to attract more young people

Once you’ve implemented the strategies mentioned, you’re likely to draw in more Gen Z talent.

When your workplace has a growing number of young employees, it creates a comfortable environment where Gen Z workers feel more at ease, fostering a sociable atmosphere where they can make friends and enjoy a positive work environment.

Hire apprentices

Hiring apprentices is an excellent way to give young people the opportunity to learn and grow within your organisation. Apprenticeship programmes come with built-in support from tutors who assist both the employer and the apprentice, reducing the training burden on your team.

Apprenticeships provide hands-on experience, which is highly valued by Gen Z, making them an effective strategy for attracting and retaining top talent.

If you want to engage the next generation of workers, consider choosing Total People as your apprenticeship provider and start building your future workforce today.