Gen Z, also known as the post-millennial generation or the iGeneration, refers to individuals who were born between the mid-1990s and the early 2010s. They are the youngest generation in the workforce and are currently in their teenage years and early adulthood.
Gen Z is the first generation to grow up in a world where technology has always been prevalent, and they are known to be highly tech-savvy, socially conscious, and diverse.
They are also known for their ambition, entrepreneurial spirit, and desire to make a positive impact on the world. As Gen Z continues to enter the workforce, they are expected to have a significant impact on the workplace and the economy as a whole.
What is Unique about Gen Z Employees?
Gen Z employees are a unique generation with distinct characteristics and values that differentiate them from previous generations. Here are some unique traits and qualities of Gen Z employees:
Digital Natives
Gen Z is the first generation to grow up entirely in the digital age. They have grown up with technology and are highly proficient in using it. This makes them tech-savvy and comfortable using new technologies and tools.
Entrepreneurial Mindset
Gen Z employees have a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to be self-employed. They value autonomy, flexibility, and creative freedom and are willing to take risks to achieve their goals.
Diversity and Inclusion
Gen Z is the most diverse generation yet, with a greater focus on diversity and inclusion. They value inclusivity and social justice, and expect their workplaces to reflect these values.
Socially Conscious
Gen Z is socially conscious and values sustainability, ethical practices, and social responsibility. They want to work for companies that align with their values and make a positive impact on society.
Multi-Tasking
Gen Z employees are used to multitasking and can handle multiple tasks simultaneously. They are adept at balancing work and personal life and are comfortable working in fast-paced environments.
Continuous Learning
Gen Z values continuous learning and development. They are willing to learn new skills and adapt to new technologies, and expect their employers to provide opportunities for growth and development.
Seven Strategies for Gen Z Employee Training
To train Gen Z employees effectively, companies need to adopt training strategies that align with their values, learning preferences, and career goals. Here are seven training strategies that can be effective for Gen Z employees:
1. Emphasize Technology-based Learning
Gen Z employees are digital natives who prefer to learn through technology. Therefore, it is important to use technology-based learning strategies such as e-learning, online courses, and mobile learning apps.
2. Provide Immediate Feedback
Gen Z employees expect immediate feedback on their performance. Managers can provide feedback through regular check-ins, coaching sessions, and performance reviews.
3. Offer Personalized Learning
Gen Z employees value personalization and want to learn in a way that aligns with their interests and career goals. Therefore, offering personalized learning opportunities such as self-paced learning, job-shadowing, and mentorship programs can be effective.
4. Gamification
Gen Z employees grew up playing video games and are accustomed to a gamified environment. Incorporating gamification into training programs can be a fun and engaging way to help them learn.
5. Focus on Collaboration
Gen Z employees value collaboration and teamwork. Incorporating collaborative learning opportunities such as group projects, team-building exercises, and social learning can be effective.
6. Emphasize Soft Skills
Gen Z employees value soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. Training programs should emphasize the development of these skills in addition to technical skills.
7. Encourage Continuous Learning
Gen Z employees value continuous learning and development. Companies can encourage this by offering ongoing training opportunities, cross-functional training, and leadership development programs.
Key LMS Features for Gen Z Employee Training
Learning Management Systems (LMS) are software applications that enable organizations to manage and deliver training programs to employees. When selecting an LMS for Gen Z employee training, there are several key features that can enhance their learning experience.
Here are some of the key LMS features for Gen Z employee training:
Mobile-optimized: Gen Z employees prefer to access training content on their mobile devices. An LMS with a mobile-optimized interface can make training content more accessible and convenient for Gen Z employees.
Gamification: Gamification techniques such as points, badges, and leaderboards can make learning more engaging and motivate Gen Z employees to complete training modules.
Microlearning: An LMS that supports microlearning can provide Gen Z employees with bite-sized training modules that align with their learning style and attention span.
Social learning: Gen Z employees value collaboration and social learning. An LMS that supports social learning features such as forums, chats, and online communities can enhance their learning experience and facilitate knowledge sharing.
Personalization: Gen Z employees value personalization and want to learn in a way that aligns with their interests and career goals. An LMS that supports personalized learning paths and adaptive learning can cater to their unique learning needs.
Video-based learning: Gen Z employees prefer video-based content over text-based content. An LMS that supports video-based learning can make training content more engaging and effective for them.
Analytics and reporting: An LMS that provides analytics and reporting features can help organizations track Gen Z employees' learning progress and identify areas for improvement.
About LMS Portals
At LMS Portals, we provide our clients and partners with a SaaS-based, multi-tenant learning management system that allows you to launch a dedicated training environment (a portal) for each of your unique audiences.
The system includes built-in, SCORM-compliant course authoring software that enables most anyone to build engaging courses quickly and easily.
We also offer a complete library of ready-made courses, covering most every aspect of corporate training and employee development.
If you choose to, you can create Learning Paths to deliver courses in a logical progression and add structure to your training program. The system also supports Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) and provides tools for social learning.
Together, these features make the LMS Portals platform the ideal solution for training your Gen Z employees.
Contact us today to get started or visit our Partner Program pages