How to Close the Millennials Skill Gap?

It is an accepted fact that Millennials are now taking over the workplace and are becoming the generation of majority in the workforce. This new generation of workers is more educated than all others before them. According to the October 2014 White House Council for Economic Advisors Report, 47 percent of Millennials graduated with Associate’s, Bachelor’s or graduate degrees.  But has the education they’ve received granted them the skills to be efficient on the job? According to a study published by Deloitte, only 28 percent of Millennials feel that their organizations are taking full advantage of their skill set. When asked to estimate the contribution that the skills they acquired during their education made in achieving their company’s objectives, the average answer is 37 percent. This means that two-thirds of the skills used to accomplish tasks in their current organizations were acquired on the job or through training.

In an ever-changing business environment, it is difficult for traditional educational institutions to provide skills that will be applicable on the job. Techniques and technology are changing every day, and what is the norm one day will be obsolete the next. The result of this phenomenon is a growing focus on soft skills from higher education organizations. Flexibility and adaptability to the environment are now the keystones of many degrees. While this focus prepares Millennials for a changing environment, a gap is created between what they learned in class and the real-world tasks asked of them in the field.

It is up to the employer to bring the new recruits up to speed on the skills needed by their particular organization. With the predicted job gap left by retiring Baby Boomers, training will become a generalized practice for employers.  The demand for custom training contracts for the workforce and individualized courses will increase as Boomers retire and Millennials fill their positions. Here is an opportunity for higher education institutions to provide a solution to close the skill gap created by traditional higher education. Furthermore, it will allow these organizations to reach a population that doesn’t possess a degree, but requires specialized skills. Here at The University of Alabama, we offer tailored training for organizations trying to close this skill gap and improve the productivity of their workforce. Visit our Bama At Work for more information about how Bama At Work can provide your workforce with the skills it needs.

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Article by Guillaume Slama, Internet Communication Specialist for Bama At Work, Professional Development & Conference Services, The University of Alabama.

Is There a Skills Gap in the American Workforce?

According to the Department of Labor, nationwide there are 4 million jobs which go unfilled, yet there are also 10 million Americans unemployed. How can we have millions of open job opportunities with so many Americans out of work?

Normally in America we assume that if we have these high unemployment numbers then this means that jobs are scarce.  There have been many conversations in Congress and stories from news programs that tell a different story. We essentially have what is being called a “skills gap”. This gap can explain much about our current situation and, if addressed properly, we could help our unemployment rate decrease.

So let us address the issues with unskilled workers. With college admissions at an all-time high it is puzzling that, according to a Manpower survey “Growth 2012 Talent Shortage Survey”, 49% of employers struggle to fill jobs. Basically there are jobs waiting to be filled, but current job seekers who may have a good education lack the skills needed to do these specific jobs. America in some ways has become snobbish when it comes to finding the perfect “career.” It seems we are conditioned to the idea that if we show up in a suit and tie with a day full of conference calls and meetings then this is seen as a career. On the other hand when we hear someone say I work at a chemical plant, oil refinery, landscaping business or in some of the IT jobs, then we regard these positions as “just over broke” (JOB) work. However it couldn’t be further from the truth.  These manual and/or blue collar jobs are the skills needed to help Americans stay competitive in manufacturing and IT industries.

We have also raised a generation of talented young adults who feel a sense of entitlement as it relates to their job options. A quote from Thomas Edison captures this: “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” This quote is so true with many of our young generation — it’s as if they feel like a corner office in a tall high-rise is the only way to go. Along with the “it should be handed to me” mentality, it can be difficult for employers to find employees with the work ethic needed to succeed in open positions.

On the flip side, let’s face the fact that companies are cutting back on benefits for their employees. Corporations in the past would offer “perks” like tuition reimbursement for continuing your education as well as free programs and courses through their Human Resources department. These days, with the tighter economy and higher cost to offer health insurance to employees, companies have offered less and less of these benefits. Many small-to medium-sized companies are unable to offer these benefits to their employees to keep them relevant and prepared for the future.

So how do we help companies and employees prepare themselves for today and the future, especially when many of the careers available today did not exist 10 years ago? We have to keep learning even after we graduate from high school, college or vocational school. There are so many ways we can keep up-to-date with different opportunities and not have to walk into a classroom. Many colleges and universities offer 100% online certification courses to add to your resume and keep your brain moving forward. These courses range from leadership to IT, medical and skilled trades.

Bama At Work and its partner World Education are at the forefront of efforts like these to help keep Americans employed, and are committed to offer online certificate programs that will keep Americans up-to-date with relevant skills so they can find sustained employment. Many of these programs we offer are in the skilled trades, sustainability and IT industries. Many of these programs are low cost programs that allow students to study in the comfort of their own homes and on their own time.   So take heart, and with Bama At Work by your side, you can close the skills gap.

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Article by Kelly Fuhlman, Director of Social Media  for World Education , and is personally involved in helping others make a better life for themselves through education. World Education is one of the main partner of the University of Alabama for Online Certificate Programs