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Skills For Gen Zs And Millennials In The Age Of Genai Deloitte

Leo Migdal
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skills for gen zs and millennials in the age of genai deloitte

If we have selected the wrong experience for you, please change it above. As Generative AI rapidly transforms the workplace, Gen Zs and Millennials are at the frontline of this revolution. Deloitte’s 2025 Gen Z and Millennial Survey reveals that a majority of global Gen Zs and Millennials are already integrating GenAI into their daily work. Ariya Phukfon, Thailand Technology & Transformation Leader, Deloitte Thailand Chodok Panyavaranant, PhD, Growth Senior Manager, Deloitte Thailand As Generative AI (GenAI) rapidly transforms the workplace, Gen Zs and Millennials are at the frontline of this revolution.

Deloitte’s 2025 Gen Z and Millennial Survey reveals that a majority of global Gen Zs (57%) and Millennials (56%) are already integrating GenAI into their daily work, encompassing tasks such as data analysis, creative... The way Gen Zs and millennials think about success at work marks a fundamental shift from previous generations. Now in its 14th year, the Deloitte Global Gen Z and Millennial Survey serves as a call for business leaders to examine their practices, processes, and policies to address gaps and understand how to... This year’s results reveal that many Gen Zs and millennials are not determined to reach the top of the corporate ladder, instead seeking to optimize the right balance of money, meaning, and well-being while... As the world of work shifts rapidly around them, they are reevaluating the capabilities they need to succeed and the support they want from their employers. And as employers rethink how to best meet the evolving expectations of these generations, it is important to understand how they can help Gen Zs and millennials get the learning, development, and balance they...

Only 6% of Gen Zs and millennials say their primary career goal is to reach a leadership position. But this doesn’t mean they lack ambition. Learning and development is one of the top reasons that both generations chose to work for their current employer, alongside good work/life balance and opportunities to progress. Most of them want mentorship and guidance along with on-the-job learning and practical experience to help build the skills they feel are most helpful for their career growth. And they believe their managers have an important role to play in providing mentorship, inspiration, and guidance—but most feel their managers are more focused on closely overseeing day-to-day tasks. This highlights a wide gap between what Gen Zs and millennials expect of their managers and their actual experiences.

According to Deloitte’s Global Human Capital Trends report, many managers see this gap themselves. They say that they spend their time solving immediate problems rather than developing the people who work for them. And many don’t feel sufficiently prepared to be people managers. This highlights the need to prioritize learning and development across each stage of a person’s career, in addition to finding ways to structure work in a way that provides more time for growth. Although a traditional university or college degree remains valuable to most Gen Zs and millennials, some seem to be reexamining how the higher education system prepares them for the job market. Nearly one-third of Gen Zs and millennials in this year’s survey say they decided not to pursue higher education.

The most commonly cited reason? Cost. But beyond the financial burden, their responses also reveal doubts about the return on investment, with many Gen Zs and millennials questioning if the education provided at universities would give them enough practical skills. Some say that trade or vocational school is a more viable alternative to gain hands-on experience and build those skills. As some employers have trouble finding talent that meets their experience requirements, there is an opportunity for business leaders to rethink strategies to widen the talent pool and build a pipeline of well-prepared candidates. Gen Zs and millennials are largely positive about GenAI, but they do have some significant concerns.

More than half of them are already using the technology in their day-to-day work. Many say that it helps them improve their work quality, frees up time to focus on strategy, and helps to improve work/life balance. But, more than six in 10 also worry it will reduce the availability of jobs and say it is motivating them to seek career paths that they perceive as safe from GenAI-driven disruption. To combat this, they’re focusing on training and skills development. More than half of respondents have already completed some GenAI training or plan to within the next year. And as they work alongside GenAI, more than eight in 10 Gen Zs and millennials say developing soft skills, like empathy and leadership, is even more important for career advancement than honing technical skills.

This focus on training and skills development is critical—to achieve sustained growth and maximize return on investment from GenAI adoption, organizations will need to prepare their people to work alongside the technology. The 2025 Deloitte Global Gen Z and Millennial Survey, now in its 14th year, captures the changing priorities and concerns of the generations that will comprise 74% of the global workforce by 2030. Surveying 23,482 respondents across 44 countries, the report paints a picture of a workforce in flux, one that values learning, balance, and purpose as much as, if not more than, traditional measures of career... Learning, Development, and the Leadership Pipeline Ambition is still present in Gen Z (born 1995–2006) and millennials (born 1983–1994), but it is no longer equated with the climb to senior leadership. Only 6% of Gen Zs list becoming a leader as their number one career goal, with most prioritizing work/life balance, self-learning, and career development opportunities.

In fact, 70% of Gen Zs and 59% of millennials report learning career-advancing skills at least weekly, with two-thirds of Gen Zs doing so outside of working hours. Soft skills, time management, and knowledge of the industry top the list of required skills for advancement (86% of Gen Zs and 85% of millennials for soft skills), and 89% of both generations value... However, there is a disconnect between expectation and reality: 86% of Gen Zs and 84% of millennials want mentoring and guidance, but many see managers as more focused on day-to-day management than development. The traditional university-to-career path is under attack. Nearly a third of Gen Zs (31%) and millennials (32%) have skipped higher education, citing high tuition costs as the main deterrent for 40% of Gen Zs and 38% of millennials. Some are doubtful that university education provides enough real-world experience for the workforce, so some are pursuing vocational training or direct-to-work pathways.

The Dual Impact of GenAI: Optimism and Anxiety While the benefits of GenAI are widely acknowledged, improving work quality, freeing up time for strategic tasks and enhancing work-life balance. On the other hand, globally, 63% of Gen Zs and 65% of Millennials fear job elimination due to GenAI. In comparison, 61% believe it will automate entry-level tasks, which are traditionally a critical stepping stone for new graduates. As a result, a growing number of Gen Zs and Millennials are seeking roles perceived as less vulnerable to automation—66% of Gen Zs and 68% of Millennials are considering careers in manual labour or... Training, Skills, and the New Workplace Paradigm

In response to these challenges, Gen Zs and Millennials are prioritising training and skills development to ensure they remain relevant in a GenAI-driven world. Nearly one-fifth of Gen Zs (17%) and Millennials (19%) have already completed some form of GenAI training, and over a third plan to do so within the following year. This proactive approach reflects a clear understanding that technical proficiency with GenAI is becoming a baseline requirement for career advancement—59% of Gen Zs and 62% of Millennials believe that they are somewhat or highly... Yet, technical skills alone are not enough. There is a growing recognition that soft skills—such as empathy, leadership, emotional intelligence and adaptability—are more critical than ever. Over 86% of Gen Zs and 85% of Millennials believe soft skills are somewhat or highly required for career success, surpassing the perceived importance of GenAI skills.

Most respondents (72% of Gen Zs and 76% of Millennials) also feel that their employers are placing a balanced emphasis on both technical and soft skill development. 74% of Gen Zs and 77% of millennials believe GenAI will impact the way they work within the next year and more than half of them already use GenAI in their day-to-day work, with... GenAI users say that GenAI improves the quality of their work and their work/life balance. But more than six in 10 worry it will eliminate jobs and say it is motivating them to seek jobs that they think are safe from GenAI-driven disruption. As they work alongside GenAI, more than eight in 10 say developing soft skills, like empathy and leadership, is even more important for career advancement than honing technical skills. “Gen Zs and millennials launched their careers in the shadow of a global pandemic and a financial crisis—events that respectively shaped their expectations of work and what success looks like,” says Elizabeth Faber, Deloitte...

“These generations prioritise work/life balance and meaningful work as they strive for financial stability. And now, as they navigate the way GenAI is changing work, they are reevaluating the capabilities they need to succeed and the support they want from their employers.” Deloitte Insights and our research centers deliver proprietary research designed to help organizations turn their aspirations into action. For personalized content and settings, go to your My Deloitte Dashboard Stay informed on the issues impacting your business with Deloitte's live webcast series. Gain valuable insights and practical knowledge from our specialists while earning CPE credits.

Stay informed with content built for today’s business leaders. From data visualizations to expert commentary, our video content delivers concise, actionable information to help you lead with clarity in a complex world. Looking to stay on top of the latest news and trends? With MyDeloitte you'll never miss out on the information you need to lead. Simply link your email or social profile and select the newsletters and alerts that matter most to you. Deloitte’s 2024 Gen Z and Millennial Survey explores how Gen Zs and millennials perceive the transformations occurring in the world around them.

The survey delves into how the workplace experiences have evolved for these generations. While work-life balance flexibility is critical, having a sense of purpose at work is central to overall job satisfaction and well-being. The report further adds to how Gen Zs and millennials continue to make lifestyle and career decisions based on their values. The 13th edition of the survey gathers insights from more than 22,800 Gen Z and millennial respondents across 44 countries. The report underscores continuing concerns about the environment and work-life balance. It also examines the shifting career decisions and behaviour of Gen Zs and millennials to drive climate action on both professional and personal fronts.

“Millennials and Gen Zs are an integral part of every business today. They are the agents of change and contribute significantly to shaping the future of work. More than half of the respondents are excited about GenAI and believe that this new technology will positively impact their work-life balance, allowing more time for creative and strategic work”, says Deepti Sagar, Chief... However, environmental concerns remain high among these respondents. They are more inclined than the global average to urge their employers to take climate action and be willing to pay more for sustainable products and services. Gen Zs and millennials believe GenAI will have a positive impact on their work-life balance and how they work.

More than half of the Gen Zs (51 per cent) and millennials (54 per cent) frequently use GenAI at work and strongly feel that it will free up their time for creative and strategic... However, they are equally convinced that they will need to reskill and GenAI will influence their career decisions and cause some job loss. The survey also highlights how women are more upbeat about GenAI and slightly more comfortable working with it than men. Your source for breaking news in HR innovation The HRTech Media Room is the dedicated news and updates division of HR Technology Insights, focused exclusively on delivering the latest market intelligence from the world... With a pulse on emerging trends, product launches, funding updates, strategic partnerships, and industry movements, our team ensures you stay informed and ahead of the curve. Backed by a team of researchers and editors with deep expertise in HR tech and enterprise solutions, the Media Room brings you timely, verified, and concise reporting designed for busy HR professionals and tech...

Whether it's a breakthrough in AI-powered recruitment or a disruptive HR SaaS startup entering the scene, we cover what matters—fast. Stay informed with HRTech Media Room—your trusted lens on the dynamic world of HR innovation. A 2024 survey shows base salaries for treasury and finance professionals grew by 3.9%, reflecting steady industry growth. The new lab aims to drive AI-powered workforce transformation, helping businesses adopt smarter, tech-driven talent strategies. Subscribe to our newsletter and receive the latest news about our products and services! Copyright © 2025 All Rights Reserved.

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