With Gen Z accounting for over a quarter of the workforce in 2024, keeping them engaged has never been more important, as this figure is set to rise to nearly 30% in the next 12 months alone.

But why does this matter?

Gen Z are digital natives who grew up with smartphones and social media at their fingertips.

They have unique expectations, especially when it comes to their learning and development.

Tailoring your learning experiences towards Gen Z’s learning style can make a big difference to productivity in your organisation.

So, whether you’re a seasoned L&D professional or new to managing a multigenerational team, here are five practical strategies to captivate and motivate your Gen Z employees, ensuring they stay inspired and, most importantly, productive within your organisation.

1. Embrace Microlearning

    Gen Z favours snappy, easily digestible content.

    Microlearning breaks training down into bite-sized chunks that can be completed in just a few minutes, much like the short videos and posts Gen Z scroll through on social media platforms such as TikTok.

    This approach makes learning feel more manageable and less overwhelming.

    By offering short, focused lessons that can be done during breaks or between tasks, you’ll keep engagement high and ensure steady learning progress.

    2. Add a Touch of Gamification

    Gamification involves incorporating game-like elements—such as earning points for completing tasks, receiving badges for mastering skills, competing on leaderboards, and participating in challenges into your training programs.

    Given Gen Z’s love for gaming and a little healthy competition, this strategy makes learning more interactive and fun.

    By setting up challenges, rewarding achievements, and sparking a bit of friendly rivalry, you’ll make training something they look forward to rather than a chore.

    3. Go Mobile-First

    Gen Z is the first generation to grow up with smartphones as their go-to for communication, entertainment, and information. To meet them where they are, prioritise mobile-first learning solutions.

    This means optimising all your training content for mobile devices, using responsive design, mobile apps, and push notifications to deliver content. With mobile-friendly options, your Gen Z learners can access training whenever and wherever it suits them.

    4. Foster Social Learning and Collaboration

    Gen Z loves to connect and collaborate, and they often learn through social platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Reddit. Tap into this by weaving social learning elements into your training programs.

    Whether it’s through discussion forums, group projects, peer-to-peer learning, or mentorship opportunities, encouraging collaboration not only builds a sense of community but also enhances the learning experience by allowing them to learn from one another.

    5. Personalise the Learning Experience

    Gen Z expects personalisation in every aspect of their lives, including their learning journeys. Offer personalised learning paths that align with their individual interests, career goals, and preferred learning styles.

    Use AI-driven platforms to adapt content based on their preferences, provide elective courses relevant to their job roles or aspirations, and give regular feedback to guide their progress.

    Personalised learning makes your Gen Z learners feel valued and motivated to keep growing.

    In Summary…

    As Gen Z continues to grow in the workforce, the need to keep them engaged becomes increasingly crucial.

    This generation, raised on smartphones and social media, expects their learning and development to be just as dynamic and personalised as the digital world they’re used to.

    By tailoring your approach and implementing these adaptable strategies, you’ll ensure that your Gen Z learners stay inspired, productive, and eager to grow within your organisation.

    About Thirst

    Thirst is the AI-Fueled Learning Platform that is empowering organisations big and small to level up learner engagement and create learning experiences designed for the modern learner.

    The company was founded in 2022 to remove friction from the learning process. As workplace learning continues to evolve and AI becomes central to empowering meaningful learning journeys at scale, Thirst is disrupting the L&D sector. It’s learner-centric, AI-powered platform understands and learns from users to deliver personalised learning experiences and recommendations that are relevant to their skills, learning needs and career goals – all in the flow of work.

    Thirst is creating a world where AI works to help L&D teams wow their learners and eliminate learning chaos by bringing together company knowledge, resources and courses in one place.