Organizations Prepare: Generation Z Has Arrived with a New Learning Style
Lorinda F. Lewis
Lisa M. Rohloff
Abstract
Generation Z (Gen Z) is just entering the workforce, currently comprising about 5% and growing rapidly. As 30% of the total population, they are positioned to flood the workforce. At the same time, Baby Boomers are retiring at a rate of 10,000 per day. Organizational leaders should prepare for coming shift where Gen Z and Millennials are the majority of the workforce. A key concern in this workforce adjustment is how leaders will train and develop these new workers. Gen Z is the first generation to grow up in a world of technology, therefore their learning process is unique. Leaders should be prepared to adjust their existing training and communications to accommodate this new cohort. This research offers insight into how digital technology has influenced Gen Z, particularly how their use of it has adapted their brains to require more visual methods of learning. It culminates with suggested training adaptations to recruit, engage, and retain this cohort in organizations.