What Generation Z expects from their profession

What Generation Z expects from their profession

"Work is half the battle." This old adage no longer means much to the younger generation today. This is confirmed by a representative survey conducted by the Wirtschaftsjunioren Deutschland (WJD), which was made available to the Deutsche Presse-Agentur. Under the umbrella of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, young entrepreneurs and managers have joined forces in the Association of Junior Chamber of Commerce.

Good earning opportunities are the most important factor for 81 percent of young respondents aged 15 to 25. These are closely followed by the prospect of a good work-life balance, which is very important or important to 74 percent of respondents. In third place with 71 percent is the prospect of varied activities.

1012 men, women and people of different genders took part in the online survey from September 5 to 10. The age group of 15 to 25 years belongs to the so-called Generation Z in the broadest sense, which roughly includes those born from 1995 onwards.

Meaning and purpose less important

Surprisingly, contrary to some clichés, only around half of those surveyed consider a high level of social meaning and purpose in the profession to be essential. This also applies to the positive image of the profession and the opportunity to take on management responsibility. In last place is the opportunity to set up a business or become self-employed, which is a decisive factor for only 40 percent of young people.

The President of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), Friedrich Hubert Esser, takes a similar view of the generation: "First and foremost, career prospects are important for young people." The ideal job must be crisis-proof and future-oriented.

Silke Anger, Head of the Education, Qualification and Employment Trajectories research area at the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), has come to know Generation Z differently. "The most important thing for young people is to enjoy their work. In second place is security," she says. A high income is only in the midfield for most of them.

Gen Z wants appreciation and praise

Whether young people decide to take a job also depends on the boss. According to the WJD survey, more than half want appreciation and praise. For 43 percent, a superior should be open and ready for change. Only in third place is professional competence (38%).

Julian Uehlecke, youth officer at the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), also repeatedly states that fair and appreciative treatment is indispensable. "You might think that tasks such as making coffee or sweeping the parking lot have fallen out of time, but unfortunately this is the reality for many trainees." A third of trainees are also regularly forced to work overtime.

Green professions on the rise

Many companies are responding. They are becoming more sustainable, more diverse and more digital, according to the Confederation of German Employers' Associations (BDA). Green apprenticeships that deal with the ecological transformation are becoming more popular, says Uehlecke.

White collar instead of overalls

Craft employers have bigger problems with a shortage of skilled workers: "The craft sector is now suffering because young people and their parents associate more education with so-called white collar professions than with so-called blue collar professions," warns Esser. The white collar stands for office jobs.

According to Esser, the skilled trades are tainted with clichés. Many people think of gas and water fitters, now plant mechanics for sanitary, heating and air conditioning technology, as people who haul heavy heaters and repair blocked toilets. However, the job description has changed considerably. "Today, it is a very important and partly digital transformation profession."

According to the Federal Employment Agency, young people's career aspirations have hardly changed in recent years. For women, the professions of medical assistant, office management assistant and sales assistant are in demand. Men would prefer to become a car mechatronics technician, IT specialist or salesperson.

Corona as a brake pad

In some cases, however, corona stood in the way of their career aspirations. The pandemic had an impact on the career path of 30 percent of those surveyed by the WJD.

Expert Esser also states: "The demand for apprenticeships fell during the coronavirus pandemic and has not recovered since."

Due to demographic change, Generation Z is in a strong negotiating position. Do they have too high expectations or are they simply self-confident? "In the past, people were keen to fit in with companies and show performance - less likely to come up with their own demands before their first day at work, which is what they do today," says Esser.

The demand for a four-day week and more free time may initially seem strange to those from a different generation, as expert Anger also points out. "But at second glance, one or two of the demands may make sense."

1. Despite their preference for profitable careers and work-life balance, Generation Z also values varied activities at work, as indicated by the WJD survey, with 71% considering it important or very important.
2. Contrary to popular belief, social meaning and purpose in their profession are less important to Generation Z, with only around half considering it essential, according to the survey conducted by the Wirtschaftsjunioren Deutschland.

Source: www.dpa.com