Welcome to the Workforce, Generation Z!

How These Tech-Savvy Digital Natives Will Impact Business

By 2020, Gen Z (born in the mid-’90s or later) will make up almost a quarter of the modern workforce and organizations are starting to look at ways to help bridge this new generational and technological divide. Dell Technologies’ recently commissioned study on 12,000 youths across the world has shed some light on what this means.

Tech-first

With their advanced digital skills, Gen Z’s entry into the workplace is expected to fuel a fresh round of innovation. As the first true tech-savvy digital natives, they have a deep understanding of technology and its potential. Gen Z’s hunger for working with cutting- edge developments, especially in a job that has a deeper meaning and purpose, highlights the importance of digital transformation and automation projects to ensure businesses attract the right talent. In fact, more than 90% of Gen Z says that the technology offered by an employer will be a pivotal factor in accepting a job offer.

With the UAE and Saudi Arabia’s reputations as being some of the most globally innovative and technologically successful countries, the Middle East is proving to be a popular career destination for the new generation. The Internet of Things (IoT), Robotics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are three of the most promising disciplines, with the latter expected to contribute almost 14 percent of the UAE’s GDP in 2030.

Workforce readiness.

Despite their tech savviness, Gen Z lacks the same confidence in their soft skills and are actually craving human interaction. This bodes well for baby boomers and millennials who can embrace Gen Z’s entry into the workplace as an opportunity to impart their knowledge onto their younger cohorts. In return, more than 85% of the young respondents are eager to share their tech skills with their more seasoned team members too.

By building a company culture around learning, organizations can help prepare future generations with the right tools to adapt to a competitive, changing work environment. Leadership, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving skills are some of the indispensable soft skills required for a fulfilling long-term career. Regardless of Gen Z’s career aspirations or preferred industry, this newest group of adults is already defying expectations and stereotypes and we look forward to seeing their impact on business and technology in the coming years.

Read the full report here.

About the Author: Dell Technologies