New data: Millennials and Gen Z employees demand skill development  

The job market may be cooling, but younger workers aren’t standing still. In a new Seismic-commissioned survey of more than 1,000 full-time employees across the U.S., Millennial and Gen Z respondents made one thing clear: if you’re not helping them grow, they’ll find an employer who will. 

For these generations, skills development is no longer a “nice to have.” It’s table stakes. 79% of Gen Z employees and 75% of Millennials said they’d actively look for a new job if their current employer didn’t offer upskilling opportunities. These numbers alone should serve as a wake-up call for companies navigating the dual pressures of talent retention and economic uncertainty. 

In an environment where budgets are tight and employee engagement is critical, investing in cutting-edge skill development approaches is one of the most strategic moves a business can make. 

Upskilling employees is now a must 

According to the survey, 96% of Millennials and Gen Z say that having access to skills development is important to them. When you dig deeper, the data paints an even sharper picture: nearly 70% of Millennials say it’s extremely important. That’s not just a preference — it’s a mandate. 

This generational shift reflects broader changes in how the largest share of the workforce views their careers. Job security isn’t just about a paycheck anymore. It’s also about growth, development, and career progression. In a constantly evolving workplace, especially one shaped by AI and automation, skills development is a survival strategy for employees. 

To stay competitive, companies must embed continuous learning into their culture. That means prioritizing upskilling in the workforce across the entire organization and understanding how to upskill employees in ways that reflect how they learn best. 

While some companies are still debating the future of AI, Gen Z is already using it to develop new skills. A striking 68% of Gen Z respondents said they’ve used AI-powered training tools. Compare that to just 20% of Boomers, and it’s clear there’s a generational divide in how employees want to learn. 

This has big implications for enablement leaders. AI-powered employee training software is no longer futuristic, it’s expected. 

Organizations that fail to adopt these tools risk falling behind in both employee engagement and retention. The good news? With the right technology, training can be flexible, personalized, and available on demand — exactly what Gen Z is looking for. 

Younger employees demand personalized upskilling 

Beyond their desire for skills development, Millennials and Gen Z are signaling how they want that development to happen — and it’s not through traditional corporate training. 

Seismic’s employee upskilling survey found that: 

• 77% of Gen Z and 78% of Millennials prefer to learn new skills through video-based content, signaling a shift away from slide decks and seminars. 

• 49% of Gen Z say they prefer to learn through one-on-one mentorship or small group settings, reflecting a desire for more personalized growth. 

• 79% of Gen Z are comfortable learning from an AI-powered coach, reflecting their openness to technology-driven, self-guided learning experiences.  

This generational preference isn’t just about format. It’s about flexibility, relevance, and personalization. Employees want coaching and development that fits into their flow of work, aligns with their goals, and helps them stay competitive in a fast-moving world. 

For employers, the takeaway is clear: if you want to attract and retain top talent — and ensure they’re ready to perform at their best — you need to offer AI-powered coaching and skill development. 

Are you ready to raise the bar for employee upskilling?  

The next generation of employees has spoken, and they’ve made their expectations crystal clear. They want opportunities to grow. They want modern, flexible training. And they want it now. 

If your organization is serious about retaining top talent, improving readiness and performance, and staying ahead of the curve, investing in skill development isn’t just smart. It’s non-negotiable.  

For organizations ready to turn insights into action, the Seismic Enablement Cloud ^TM offers a powerful approach to upskilling. With AI training software and enablement tools designed for self-guided learning, real-time coaching, and seamless content delivery, Seismic helps leaders meet teams where they are and how they want to learn. 

Curious how you can empower your workforce with AI-powered learning and development tools? Book a demo today.