Training Gen Z employees

Just when we thought we had understood the approach to training millennials, a new generation of the population has entered the workforce. Research shows generation Z, a term used for people born after 1996, may be the best educated and well-informed group of the population. They are tech-savvy, financially conservative, independent, and consider social equality and mental health to be high priorities. Given the right opportunities, they are more likely to work together with the rest of the workforce to drive the growth of the organization.

As Gen Z employees are entering the workforce in large numbers, it could take some years to form solid strategies to train them. However, here are a few things you could keep in mind when creating a training program for Gen Z employees:

Enable cross-training

New Gen Z employees will probably want to acquire a variety of skills that go beyond the scope of their current job. Providing cross-training for the different verticals in your organization can help keep them engaged and allows them to take on new responsibilities without needing to reskill.

Use video-based training

Born in the era of TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat,  Gen Zers are often visual learners and many prefer to learn by watching quick and concise videos. Video training is also proven to be a powerful and effective tool for training any type of audience. Including short videos for how-to and instructional lessons can help them retain information better.

Encourage experiential learning 

Like many people, Gen Z employees love experiential learning. They are not afraid to experiment with what they've learned and get hands-on experience. Create immersive learning experiences by including gamification, simulation, and case studies in your training programs.  

Facilitate micro-learning  

Micro-learning is the delivery of small chunks of information in short bursts of time.  As many Gen Zers grew up consuming a lot of content online and constantly switching from one resource to another, delivering bite-sized content pieces over a period of time helps keep Gen Z learners engaged throughout the training.

Allow self-paced learning

Many Gen Z learners are accustomed to personalized content that complements their learning curve. An individualized learning path tailored to match the progress and pace of individual learners helps keep them on track and achieve maximum training results.

Go mobile 

Most Gen Z employees have never seen a world without smartphones. They are used to being able to do everything on their smartphones, from anywhere and on their own time. Therefore, it's important to use training tools that provide mobile support and create your courses with a mobile-friendly design. 

Encourage social learning

The majority of Gen Z learners appreciate human connection and care greatly about interpersonal skills.  Provide an opportunity for learners to collaborate with each other and express their opinions freely through forums and discussions.

Be flexible and adapt to changes

Most Gen Z learners are constantly looking ahead and appreciate a continuous feedback loop. While designing a training program for Gen Z, you must be ready to incorporate the latest advancement in technology and training methods. It is also important to get feedback from your learners and tailor your training to match their needs.

Final thoughts

Designing a training program for Gen Z employees can be challenging as they've just entered the workplace. However, creating strategies that work best for them can be fruitful for your organization's success and lay a foundation to prepare your future workforce.