As the adoption of generative AI picks up pace, with 65% of businesses already using the technology, it is necessary that young people are not left behind. Although younger generations are often assumed to be more proficient with technology than older colleagues, a recent study from Lloyds found that in fact, nearly 7.5m people still lack the digital skills needed for the workplace today.
Clearly, more needs to be done to prepare young people for the roles they will take on after education.
Hire based on potential, not existing skills
According to G-P’s 2023 Global Growth Report, 85% of Gen Z employees believe that companies that hire from multiple countries offer more opportunities to develop their careers. And as Laura Maffucci, Head of HR, G-P (Globalization Partners) says, this is prompting companies to change how they hire in kind:
“With skill demands varying across different industries and regions, some companies are also shifting towards hiring based on potential. This approach acknowledges that candidates who are smart and motivated can adapt to new skills given the right learning and training opportunities. This can include reskilling in both tech and soft skills. Tech skills typically involve targeted certifications or learning to use new technologies or systems, while soft skills include connective intelligence or the ability to be agile, pivot quickly, and connect the dots between their work and the other work in the organisation.”
Recruit wider
Echoing Maffucci, David Spillane, Systems Engineering Director, Fortinet, calls for companies in tech to recruit wider: “Everyone has a part to play in solving this challenge, and it’s time for leaders to think outside the box when it comes to the young talent they’re set to hire. This includes diversifying recruitment pools by hiring candidates from non-traditional backgrounds and investing in cybersecurity training and certifications to upskill IT and security teams once hired.”
Skills gap issues are particularly acute in cybersecurity, as Keiron Shepherd, Solutions Architect, EMEA, F5 identifies “there is a critical need for young people to develop the technical skills required to keep pace with the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape, which is becoming more complex by the day thanks to technologies like generative AI and ChatGPT.”
Collaborate with educational institutions
To address this skills gap, Clare Loveridge, VP & GM EMEA, Arctic Wolf, says that businesses need to work with educational institutions to provide experience not provided through the classroom: “This begins by ensuring students who study STEM courses at school and university are being taught the skills they’ll actually need in their day-to-day cybersecurity career, such as problem-solving and communication. For example, higher education organisations, which may already face stretched budgets, could use students to help boost their team, providing students with invaluable hands-on experience while also protecting their own assets. Likewise, cybersecurity firms should work with educational organisations to allow students to see what a career in cybersecurity actually looks like – whether that’s via an internship or work experience.”
Opt for non-traditional options
Shepherd goes further, advocating for alternative routes to traditional degrees entirely: “Apprenticeships, for instance, offer invaluable opportunities to gain hands-on experience while earning credentials such as diplomas, certificates, and industry-recognised certifications. Nowadays, certifications, especially in cybersecurity, are highly regarded by employers and can often outweigh the value of a degree. As ever, it is also important to engage with the cybersecurity community through meetups, conferences, and open-source project activities to continually enhance skills and expand professional networks.”
Offer mentorship
The route to gaining skills needed for a technology career doesn’t have to come through university or business. As Gemma Donnelly, Electronics Technician, Dexory shares, personal mentors can make a massive impact: “When working in childcare, I would’ve never envisioned I’d end up having a career building cutting edge robots one day. It was only through the guidance of my aunt that I made the transition into the tech industry, learning to solder and assemble electronics despite having no technical background. Having someone experienced guiding you can have a life changing impact on a young person’s career, but they also need to be ready to embrace the unexpected and be open to exploring new career paths.”
Upskill through a diverse offering
But as Chris Herbert, Chief Content Officer, Plurasight, underscores, companies need to lead the way in upskilling. He calls “for organisations to invest in the talent of tomorrow. By providing young workers with upskilling opportunities, not only can companies bridge the skills gap and expand the pool of talent, but they can also ensure the next generation is empowered to drive innovation and tackle global challenges. Online learning platforms, bootcamps, apprenticeships, and certification programmes are effective methods to supplement traditional education and equip young professionals with the essential tech skills needed in today’s digital landscape.”
The skills to work with AI
As generative AI is set to become an integral part of many workplaces, Pam Maynard, CEO, Avanade highlights how much more needs to be done to prepare future generations for it. She says “equipping young people with AI skills prepares them for success in a technology-driven future. However, unequal access, lack of regulation, and potential biases in AI are significant issues that could undermine its benefits. Young people are the tech innovators and policymakers of the future so must be equipped with the knowledge to balance innovation with ethical standards.”
Data skills are critical for AI work
Further, James Fisher, Chief Strategy Officer, Qlik, points out that it is becoming more important to provide young people with the data skills needed to work with AI: “Advanced technologies like AI have created many new opportunities for the new generation. This is all driven by data. Education institutions and businesses must continuously upskill young people with modern data and AI literacy skills, crucial across all sectors.”
Don’t ignore human skills
However, technical skills won’t be the only requirement. As Jessica Guistolise, Evangelist, Lucid says, collaborative skills will continue to be important: “For those entering the tech industry, it’s important to understand how to collaborate effectively with their team members and learn how to optimise the use of AI responsibly. Mastering these skills will help them be adaptable, have the ability to prioritise tasks, communicate effectively and fully leverage AI to contribute to the success of their projects and initiatives.”
Companies are even starting to improve the technology they use in a bid to attract better talent, as Lotte Sodemann Sørensen, Vice President of Human Resources, Universal Robots, points out: “Investing in technology not only enhances worker development but also boosts a company's appeal as an employer. This is especially true for younger workers, many of whom need persuading that manufacturing jobs are safe and rich in opportunities for professional development. Keeping production updated with new technology and encouraging employees to familiarise themselves with these digitised trends is a great way to remain an attractive workplace.”
Rethink how you train young people
The disruptive impact generative AI is having on all industries should prompt a rethink in how we train young people for the roles they will likely take on in the future. With the pace of development in tech today, traditional education alone won’t suffice.
Businesses, policymakers, and educational institutions need to come together to broaden access to work experience and industry certifications, provide mentorship opportunities, and build on alternative paths like apprenticeships to adequately prepare young people today for the work of tomorrow.
