As Generation Z enters workforce, study reveals they are tech savvy yet insecure

Generation Z — those born after 1996 — is entering the workforce, bringing with it high technological skills, together with a yearning to use these skills to transform the way we work and live and to empower those who are less tech savvy, a new global research commissioned by Dell Technologies shows.

The research surveyed more than 12,000 high school and college students in 17 countries: the US, Canada, Brazil, UK, Germany, France, Turkey, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines. It quizzed them about their outlook on technology and future jobs.

The results show that “they are confident about their tech skills,” but worry about having the right tools and experience for the workplace, which makes them unsure about their readiness for the workforce, the report said.

Ninety-eight percent of respondents said they have used technology as part of their formal education; 91% said the technology offered by an employer would be a factor in choosing among similar job offers; 80% want to work with cutting-edge technology, and of those, 38% are interested in information technology (IT) careers, 39% want to work in cybersecurity and 46% aspire to do technology research and development.

Forty-three percent of Generation Z respondents in a survey by Dell Technologie said they prefer person-to person communication and to connect with other team members while working (Zinkevych; iStock by Getty Images)

Some 80% of the respondents said they believe technology and automation will create a more equitable work environment, by preventing bias and discrimination.

And a high 89% recognized that we are entering an age “of human-machine partnerships”: 51% of those surveyed, said they believed that humans and machines will work as integrated teams, while 38% said they see machines as tools for humans, to use as needed.

Although they have interacted with electronic devices seemingly forever, 43% of respondents said they prefer person-to person communication with co-workers, followed by 21% who said they preferred the phone; interestingly, messaging apps and texting ranked last. More than half, 53%, said they prefer to go to a workplace as opposed to working from home, and 58% said they preferred team work, as opposed to working independently.

“It’s almost a given that these digital natives have advanced technology and data science skills, but what is surprising is the level of digital maturity they are bringing to the workplace,” said Danny Cobb, corporate fellow and vice president of Technology Strategy, Dell Technologies. “Yet we haven’t raised a generation of robots. Gen Z sees technology not only as a tool for enabling human progress, but also as a means for leveling the information empowerment playing field. Their combination of vision and optimism is remarkable.”

Lacking soft skills

In the survey, while most Gen Zers said they were confident about with their technical prowess, they also worried about having the “soft skills” and experience that employers are seeking.

Seventy-three percent rated their technology literacy as good or excellent and 68% say they have above-average coding skills. Seventy-seven percent said they’d be willing to mentor an older coworker who may be less experienced with technology.

However, nearly all of the graduates 94%, had some concerns about future employment: just over half, 57%, rated their education as good or excellent in preparing them for their careers, while half of them — 52% — said they are confident they have the tech skills required by employers, but not necessarily the non-tech skills needed.

As Generation Z enters the workforce, a global survey by Dell Technologies reveals that they are confident about their tech skills, but worry about not having the right skills and experience needed for the workplace (Dell Technologies infographic)

By 2020, Gen Z will make up 20 percent of the global workforce, and managers and company leaders need to rethink their leadership styles, their recruiting patterns, work environments, and technologies to suit the skills and needs of this generation, the report said.

“With up to five generations now in the workplace, businesses must help workers find common ground as they push to create a digital-first culture,” Dell said in a statement announcing the findings of the report.

IT leaders should set up programs to address tech skill disparities among workers, and companies can help Gen Z to build up soft skills and confidence through internships, job rotations and other early-career development opportunities. Reverse mentorship programs can help increase technical competencies throughout an organization, with Gen Z leading the way, the statement said.

In schools, educators must make sure to teach students not just what to learn, but how to learn, giving them tools for critical thinking, logic, judgement and creative drive.

This study was commissioned by Dell Technologies and undertaken by an independent research firm. From August to September 2018, Dimensional Research conducted an online survey of students attending secondary and post-secondary school in 17 countries around the globe.

The survey was translated into 12 languages and more than 12,000 individuals aged 16-23 completed the survey. The study is one of the largest of its kind to gather hard data on current attitudes and opinions on technology and the workplace among Generation Z students who will be entering the workforce in the coming years, the statement said.