Bridging the Gen Z Talent Acquisition Gap
Notes from my recent presentation at the 7th Annual Workforce Best Practices Symposium organized by Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
According to a recent Deloitte study, 94% of hiring managers expressed hesitation about hiring Gen Z. This isn't just a statistic—it's a gap that needs to be bridged.
My research with Dr. Jeni Al Bahrani and our work at the Haile College of Business focuses precisely on this challenge. We are investing heavily in determining how to bridge this talent acquisition gap.
We know that 20-40% of managers report that students don't possess the skill sets necessary to succeed in today's labor market. There's an apparent disconnect between the skills students graduate with and those employers require.
What's missing is a meaningful conversation between employers, higher education institutions, and students. We must ensure that future hiring managers and students know how to bridge this gap.
The Solution: Experiential Learning
At the Haile College of Business, we address this through experiential learning, exemplified by our work with the EconGames. Our approach includes:
Increasing mentorship - Build confidence and refine skills to create opportunities for students to engage with alumni and the business ecosystem.
Recognizing Gen Z's strengths - Gen Z brings digital fluency, passion, loyalty, adaptability, and a purpose-driven mindset to the table.
Encouraging career readiness - Soft skills, networking, personal branding, and strategic job positioning matter more than ever.
It is our collective responsibility to help our future leaders seamlessly transition to the labor market. This won't happen without investment from employers, higher education institutions, and students themselves.
The Takeaway
Let's stop the narrative that Gen Z cannot bring value to the workplace. This perception is damaging their confidence and our talent development.
We need to do better. We must reach across the divide, help build the talent pipeline, and ensure Gen Z is effectively transitioning to the labor market.
It is on all of us to make this happen.
Download my Slides
Thanks to the attendees and new subscribers! I am happy to have you here.
This post summarizes my presentation at the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce's 7th Annual Workforce Best Practices Symposium. You can download my slides here.
