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Next-Gen learning

As Next-Gen employees strive to advance in their careers, April Waterston explores how companies can best to support their learning and development

Victims of 'hustle culture' and 'the grind', the next generation of employees have different priorities when it comes to work to those who proceeded them.

LinkedIn Learning's fifth annual Workplace Learning Report found that 76% of Gen Z learners on its platform believed learning is the key to a successful career, with 69% making time for self improvement in their day.

Furthermore, a Gallup report found that 59% of the millennial workforce felt being offered opportunities to learn and grow were extremely important to them when applying for a new job, with 87% rating 'professional or career growth and development opportunities' as key.

Listen to employees

It is clear that now, more than ever, L&D is high on the priority list for employees. But what is the best way to facilate it? We asked our Next Gen Forum for some insight. "Learning and development is highly important to me in a job," says Lucas Alcantara, next-gen employee and director of new business model implementation at LSG Group. "I always appreciate a continuous mentorship, but ad hoc courses are also very helpful. Usually my preferred method is going off-site full time for learning something new. This helps you disconnect from your busy daily routine and focus (almost exclusively) on learning or developing a new skill."

Be flexible

"In this new evolution of VUCA – volatility, uncertainity, complexity and ambiguity – we have to be flexible and open to all methods of training and development," says Kudzai Mudzengerere, another next-gen employee and supply chain manager at LSG Group. "So, on site or off site, during work or after work, whatever fits. Each day is different and may

favour one method over another, and your next work project, tomorrow, could support yet another alternative." As a generally digital-savvy generation, it seems many learners are inclined to online learning. LinkedIn Learning reported the number of Gen Z learners on its platform more than doubled last year, We have to be citing the pandemic flexible to all the as a catalyst for and director of new business model implementation at LSG Group. "I of VUCA – volatility, methods of training and development going digital. It also states that 67% of Gen Z learners complexity and said they spent ambiguity – we have to be flexible more time learning in 2020 than and open to all methods of training they did the previous year. However, and development," says Kudzai in-person training still has a place. Mudzengerere adds: "Because we employee and supply chain manager need to enhance and develop as at LSG Group. "So, on site or off site, professionals offering many options during work or after work, whatever takes us further than focusing on just fits. Each day is different and may one method – or none at all!"•