With Gen Z (born in the mid-’90s or later) poised to enter the workforce, the industry has been awash with predictions of a generational divide: seasoned professionals overthrown by a new generation of digital natives.

However, not all is gloom and doom. With *77% of Gen Z-ers willing to mentor older co-workers in tech, debunking the “them” and “us” mentality, different generations of workers will come together for the collective good. 

They Will Share Knowledge Across Generations 

“Mentor and be mentored” is the prevailing attitude of the next generation workforce. 52% of young people are more confident in their tech skills than their non-tech attributes and young professionals will be looking to mature colleagues/superiors for guidance and coaching in business. 

They Will Raise the Bar on IT Skills in the Workplace 

With their advanced digital skills (honed since infancy, finessed at school), Gen Z’s entry into the workplace is expected to fuel a fresh round of innovation – and to set the bar high for everyone else. After all, 68% of Gen Z-ers say they already know how to code and 81% can think and express solutions in ways that computers can understand. 

Due to the high focus on having the ability to use modern technologies, there is a need to both respond to, and drive, the insatiable demand for workers to show that they can use as well as learn the plethora of emerging technologies flooding the workplace. 

They Will Harness Technology for Good

Evidently, Gen Z’s digital skills have opened their eyes to technology’s immense potential for good. Many Gen 'Z'ers aspire to build their careers on technology to advance human progress. 

Almost half (46%) of young people see themselves involved in technology research and development, 40% want to harness technology to help others and/or the environment, and 80% see technology’s potential to create a more equitable work environment (i.e., by preventing bias and discrimination). No doubt their digital vision, grounded in a deep understanding of tech’s potential, will unlock exciting new possibilities and fulfillment in their lives, as well as the workplace.

They Will Surpass our Limits 

For many members of Gen Z, technology has flung open the door to a new world of possibility. We can see formidable passion and commitment to pushing the envelope in Gen Z’s work motivations today. What Gen Z desires most from work – beyond a good salary – is the ability to learn new skills and have new experiences. 

In time, Gen Z’s empowerment, through technology, will bleed into the wider workforce. We’re already seeing seasoned workers take steps to improve their company’s and personal digital readiness. **After all, 35% of business leaders aged 45-54 years-old are pioneering new digital technologies at work. This will escalate as a new wave of young, tech-savvy visionaries enters the workforce.

Placing Unity First

Of course, businesses will need to be prepared, by having the technology and opportunities in place to adequately captivate and sustain new talent, while uniting different generations of workers. But if they successfully harness the power of technology and the strengths of a multigenerational workforce, they will thrive in the digital era.