Gen-Z currently make up 20% of the workforce, a number that will continue to grow. But recruiting and retaining the right young talent has been challenging. Furthermore, employers around the UK are reporting on a mismatch between their requirements and young people’s skills and readiness for the workplace.
Young talent is the future of the workforce, so how can employers address these challenges, making sure they futureproof their organisations? What do Gen-Z employees expect from their employers? Can organisations provide young people with the tools to kickstart their career and harness their skills?
The Open University is hosting a full day of keynote speakers and panel discussions, hosted by presenter and journalist, Ben Hunte, to understand how employers can attract, develop and grow young talent. Expect insights from Gen-Z’s career expectations and values to ideas and practical advice on addressing the hybrid working and learning challenge and how to successfully grow your talent.
We look forward to welcoming you to The Open University campus. To ensure we get the most out of the day, we would appreciate you joining us for the full conference. We will provide breakfast, lunch, and refreshments, so please advise us if you have any dietary requirements.
09:00-09:30 | Arrival and breakfast |
09:30-10:00 | Presentation talk: Coming of age during COVID followed by Q&A by Joseph Lennox |
10:00-10:30 | Presentation talk: Transition from education to work – a skills mismatch followed by Q&A by Lauren Mistry |
10:30-11:00 | Interview: Creating a more diverse and future-proofed workforce by Lynne Peabody |
11:00-11:30 | Refreshment break |
11:30-12:30 | Panel discussion: The hybrid working conundrum with Viren Patel, John Griffin and Kath Austin |
12:30-13:30 | Lunch and networking |
13:30-14:00 | Host reflections with Ben Hunte |
14:00-14:30 | Presentation talk: What Gen-Z value followed by Q&A by Patrick Cantellow BEM |
14:30-15:00 | Presentation talk: Recruiting Gen-Z in employee driven market followed by Q&A |
15:00-16:00 | Panel discussion: Get the best from Gen-Z and grow your own talent with Fiona Mason, Joe Porter and Mark Cameron OBE |
16:00 | Event finish |
Gen-Z have come of age during unprecedented times of COVID-19. But what impact has the pandemic have on Gen-Z school and work experiences? How has this shaped the generation of new employees? What has been the mental health impact, and have Gen-Z’s expectations on employers and careers changed in the era of social media?
Senior Strategy Advisor, HMRC
Employers are reporting on a mismatch in the workplace between what they need and young people’s workplace readiness. But how can employers make the onboarding process better? Where does the responsibility lie – is it with employers or with training providers? What is the role of mentoring, work experience and work-based training when a young person is transitioning from education to the workplace?
Deputy CEO, Youth Employment UK
CEO, EY Foundation
Many employees enjoy hybrid and remote working and the benefits of digital communication, especially Gen-Z. But it makes some things difficult, especially as formative in-person experiences are important. So how can we solve the hybrid working conundrum? How can we encourage experienced colleagues to share learnings and F2F interactions?
Learning and development can be difficult to navigate in the post-Covid era, but the key is to find a balance for hybrid working and learning.
Director of Employers & Partnerships, The Open University
L&D Lead and Early Professionals Manager, IBM
Chief Programme Officer, Form the Future
Gen-Z values what everyone does: a career with purpose and direction, not just a job. They are also looking for recognition, feedback and training. Many Gen-Z employees are also socially conscious and want to work for organisations that align with their values.
What can employers learn from this?
Digital Marketing Manager, Knauf UK & Ireland
How can employers appeal to prospective Gen-Z employees in an employee-driven job market? What role does employer branding play in Gen-Z’s decision and what employee value proposition are organisations bringing to the table?
Investing in your managers to get the best from Gen-Z is crucial, especially if managers haven’t had the same experiences when transitioning from school to the workplace. But outside of management, a match in values and providing the right learning and development is equally important. What are the best practices for Gen-Z retention?
Chief Human Resources Officer, RDT
Lead Software Engineer, RDT
CEO, The 5% Club
Our Elevate Equity event will be live and you have the opportunity to attend in person or virtually. To confirm your attendance, please click the relevant button below and submit your booking form.
If you would like to attend the event in person, please register now by completing the booking form at the link below.
Attend in personIf you would like to join the event virtually, please register now by completing the booking form at the link below.
Join virtuallyThe Open University, Hub Theatre, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA
A campus map is available to help you navigate the campus but there will be easy to follow signage.
By car: Please make your way to the Hub Theatre. There is ample spaces nearby in the ‘Church Parking’ and other car parks.
By train: The campus is 4 miles from Milton Keynes Central railway station, served by Avanti West Coast between Birmingham and London (Euston).
By taxi: Please ask the driver to take you direct to The Open University campus – Walton Hall.
More travel detail can be found here.
Please feel free to share the registration links on your social media channels: #ElevateEquity
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