• Login
  • Join

Can't see the whole compass? Try scrolling down.

impact giving connect donate my compass magazines what's new? (home)

Preparing Gen Z By Addressing the Skills Gap

Getting Smart Jan 22, 2019
This article is deemed a must-read by one or more of our expert collaborators.
Click here for more.
Preparing Gen Z By Addressing the Skills Gap Giving Compass
  •  Share
  •  Save
  • 14 shares
Share

Giving Compass’ Take:

• Dell Technologies recently released a report, Gen Z: The Future Has Arrived, that surveyed 16-23-year-olds about technology skills and what they believe is necessary for the future workplace. 

• Dell offers ways that educators can help Gen Z students work on both tech skills and soft skills for the workplace. How can employers help with this initiative? 

• Read about the new digital tools made to engage Gen Z students.


My oldest son, a junior at an elite university in California, went to a traditional college prep high school where he claims he was imminently prepared for post-secondary studies but did little to improve his chances of entering the workforce.

That sample size is too small to make generalizations about Gen Z learners. Dell Technologies has given us a lot more data to chew on in their recently released report, Gen Z: The Future Has Arrived. The survey collected responses from 12,086 Gen Z students ages 16-23.

Some of the highlights of the survey:

  • 97% say that technology literacy matters
  • 73% rank their technology literacy as good or excellent
  • 80% believe that technology and automation will create a more equitable work environment
  • 57% rank their education as good or excellent at preparing them for their future career
  • 52% are more confident they have the technology skills employers want than non-tech skills

The survey collected responses from 12,086 Gen Z students ages 16-23. We were most interested in two findings because they show the dreaded “skills gap” and a cognitive disconnect between what teachers thought they were providing and what students thought they were receiving.

Both data sets have implications for leaders in education and business. In terms of the skills gap, the team at Dell suggest the following:

  • Tech mentorship: IT leaders should explore programs to address tech skills disparities among workers.
  • Non-tech skills: Companies can help Gen Z build soft skills and confidence through internships, job rotations, and other programs.
  • Teaching for success: Schools must teach students how, not just what, to learn. Critical thinking, logic, judgment, and creative drive are skills coveted by employees.

Read the full article about Gen Z and the skills gap by David Ross at Getting Smart

  •  Share
  •  Save
Share

Employment is a complex topic, and others found these selections from the Impact Giving archive from Giving Compass to be good resources.

  • This article is deemed a must-read by one or more of our expert collaborators.
    Click here for more.
    Building a 21st-century Economy That Works For Working People

    In Texas, Carmen Rojas worked to reform building permit rules, driving training and fair wages for construction workers. In New York City, Rojas helped set procurement standards linked to job quality. In Boston, Rojas is helping retiring small-business owners sell their companies to their employees. Workers in the U.S. have power beyond collective bargaining, says Rojas, the founder of The Worker’s Lab in Oakland. The daughter of Latin American immigrants, Rojas is bringing an entrepreneur’s mindset to building business models to redistribute wealth, increase wages and expand benefits. “How do we leverage public dollars to incentivize private action?” asked Rojas in an interview with ImpactAlpha. 21st-century workers face shrinking safety nets, a shift away from W-2 employment toward a “gig economy,” and increased automation. Rojas and The Workers Lab support more than 50 entrepreneurs, community organizations, technologists, and advocacy campaigns nationwide, helping workers transform low-wage industries and redefine work in the 21st century. Read the full interview with Carmen Rojas about The Workers Lab by Megan McFadden at ImpactAlpha.


Looking for a way to get involved?

If you are looking for opportunities to learn and connect with others interested in the topic of Employment, take a look at these events, galas, conferences and volunteering opportunities aggregated by Giving Compass.

Loading...
Learn More

Are you ready to give?

If you are looking for opportunities to take action and give money to Employment, here are some Giving Funds, Charitable Organizations and Projects aggregated by Giving Compass where you can take immediate action.

Loading...
Learn More
Connect

Loading...

Loading...

Learn More
Take Action

Loading...

Loading...

Loading...

Learn More
Related Stories
  • This article is deemed a must-read by one or more of our expert collaborators.
    Click here for more.
    How to Use Instagram to Spread Your Nonprofit’s Mission
  • This article is deemed a must-read by one or more of our expert collaborators.
    Click here for more.
    Need a Reset? Focus on the Here and Now
  • This article is deemed a must-read by one or more of our expert collaborators.
    Click here for more.
    One ‘B Corp’ Exemplifies the Inclusive Economy
Newsletter

Become a newsletter subscriber to stay up-to-date on the latest Giving Compass news.

ABOUT GIVING COMPASS

Giving Compass is a nonprofit organization aggregating quality philanthropic content and resources to make it easier to give with impact.
Learn more

MORE INFO
  • CONTACT US
  • PARTNER WITH US
  • CONTENT AT GIVING COMPASS
  • PRIVACY
  • USER AGREEMENT
FOLLOW GIVING COMPASS
  • IN THE NEWS
  • FACEBOOK
  • TWITTER
  • LINKEDIN

2019 © Giving Compass, LLC.

Powered by Giving Tech Labs

impact giving connect donate my compass magazines what's new? (home)
Join Giving Compass

You need to be signed in to complete this action and have a personalized experience. Please sign in or create an account. It is free, quick and secure.

By continuing, you accept the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.