Training Gen Z Employees: 3 Things You Should Know

Who is Gen Z, and what is their impact on the workplace?

Gen Zers, or those born between 1997 and 2012, make up a third of the world’s population—and they’re already making waves in the workplace. Shaped by distinct historical, cultural, and technological contexts, Gen Z hires bring a radically different approach to work and learning that some employers find challenging. 

Despite the challenges, companies must learn how to manage these generational differences effectively. Ready or not, Gen Z may comprise over a quarter of the global workforce in 2025. The race to win Gen Z’s emerging talent has begun, and employers who adapt to Gen Z’s values and needs are bound to also win their hearts. 

So, who exactly is Generation Z? What motivates them? And how can you unlock their talent and development potential? In this article, we unpack what research reveals about Gen Z’s workplace priorities, learning styles, and needs. Then, we suggest training tips to foster Gen Z growth, development, and success at your company.

What do Gen Z workers value at work?

Generation Z employees are purpose-driven. Meaningful work ranks in their top three factors for career decisions. They want to make a positive impact on the world and often demonstrate a deep commitment to social justice, environmental sustainability, and humanitarianism. That means they’re also willing to walk away from companies that don’t share their values.  

As the most racially and ethnically diverse generation to date, Gen Z prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). They value diverse perspectives and aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo or question conventional ways of thinking or doing things. A work culture that promotes authenticity and individuality is important to them. 

Finally, Gen Z actively seeks professional growth and development opportunities, and a lack thereof increases their likelihood of quitting. They need clear and accessible career advancement pathways to stay invested.

So, how can you create value-based training and development initiatives that drive Gen Z productivity and engagement? Check out some starter ideas below.

Training recommendations based on Gen Z values

• Explicitly train new hires on your company’s core mission, vision, values, and social good initiatives. 
• Ensure employees understand their role and how it contributes to the greater team, company, or societal goals.
• Provide regular, meaningful, and company-wide DEI training.
• Offer ongoing learning and development opportunities.
• Use inclusive language and a personable tone.
• Contextualize training with authentic, relevant real world applications and examples.
• Create personalized learning experiences and self-reflection prompts.

What is the working and learning styles of Gen Z?

According to a World Economic Forum poll, 73 percent of Gen Z workers want flexible work options. As the first true “digital natives,” Gen Z has never known a world without the internet, social media, or connected devices. They’re highly tech savvy, constantly connected, and used to having instant access to information. Social media has also shaped their casual communication style and appetite for short-form, media-rich content.

The following section outlines a few ways you might adapt workplace training to these Gen Z work and learning preferences. 

Training recommendations for Gen Z learning styles

• Incorporate technology and deliver e-learning modules that give employees the flexibility to take workplace training at any time, from anywhere, on any device. 
• Unlock online course navigation to allow Gen Z workers to move through the learning process at their own pace.
• Design online quizzes, knowledge checks, or practice activities that deliver immediate feedback.
• Develop manager training that promotes timely, honest, evidence- and behavior-based feedback conversations—not annual or quarterly reviews.
• Chunk training into small, bite-sized pieces with microlearning.
• Design creative, media-rich formats mimicking Instagram- or TikTok-style content. 

What are Gen Z’s professional strengths and needs? 

Growing up in an era defined by rapid change, disruption, and impermanence has left its mark on Gen Z, for better or worse. 

On one hand, Gen Z boasts incredible agility, flexibility, creativity, open-mindedness, and dynamic problem-solving. They embrace new perspectives and seek out better ways of doing things, making them valuable drivers of innovation and continual improvement. 

On the other hand, turbulent events have had a lasting impact on Gen Z’s mental health. Nearly half of Gen Zers surveyed by Deloitte say they feel stressed or anxious at work all or most of the time. In addition, pandemic lockdowns and heavy social media usage have stunted in-person communication and social skills development in some Gen Z young adults.

This last section offers recommendations to nurture Gen Z learners’ strengths and provide the additional support they need.

Training recommendations for Gen Z skills and gaps

• Engage Gen Z’s creativity and critical thinking skills with role-playing scenarios, gameplay, or interactive decision-making or problem-solving activities.
• Provide both managers and employees with workplace wellness and mental health training.
• Highlight company health and wellness benefits in onboarding materials.
• Create training programs focused on developing in-person communication and interpersonal skills, such as verbal and nonverbal communication, active listening, and constructive disagreement.
• Deliver one-way information via online courses to reserve in-person sessions for group discussions and collaborative learning experiences.

Adapt to thrive while training a new generation of workers

Generation Z constitutes a significant portion of today’s and tomorrow’s workforce. Employers must adapt their talent development and engagement strategies accordingly. This involves designing workplace training that resonates with Gen Z workers’ values, learning preferences, and needs. It also requires teaching managers how to accommodate generational differences and coach younger employees effectively. Embracing these changes not only ensures organizational success but also fosters a vibrant and inclusive workplace culture that empowers every generation to thrive.

Want additional resources on preparing for future skill needs? Download our free e-book, Close Skill Gaps With Science-Based Learning.