Bosses say Gen Zers aren't ready for work. Whose fault is that?
Executive Take
Blaming Gen Z ignores that companies cut entry-level training and mentoring for decades while demanding more AI fluency upfront. Fixing this requires employers to rebuild onboarding, not just wait for colleges to produce finished workers.
Executive Summary
Business leaders and surveys increasingly say Gen Z grads lack workplace readiness. A 2024 Intelligent.com poll found 75% of firms called some recent hires "unsatisfactory," and 37% of HR leaders in a Hult survey said they'd rather use AI than hire a new grad. Experts cite COVID disruption, screen time, and declining entry-level training as causes.
Why It Matters
HR leaders face a widening gap between what new grads can do and what jobs now require, especially around communication and judgment, not just technical skill. This affects hiring strategy, onboarding budgets, and how companies pair AI tools with junior talent.
Bizquad Perspective
Companies cutting entry-level training while expecting AI-native fluency are creating the exact skills gap they complain about, and no college fix will close it without employers investing in mentorship again.