How to Retain Your Millennial Workers
Within the next 5 years, millennials will make up 50% of the workforce. These workers are the new normal, as they want more work-life integration, tools for collaboration, and a desire to constantly learn. Companies need to develop programs to ensure these workers succeed.
Learning is the Key
More than any other generation, Millennial workers enjoy learning new things, building out their ideas, launching companies, and exploring new topics. They grew up with instant access to information with online tools that foster collaboration and communication.
Learning is the key to attracting and retaining millennial talent for the foreseeable future. — J. Schuh (UX Coach)
Unfortunately, training and education are the first programs to be cut by corporations at the first sign of bad news.
Learning Program for a New Generation
Recently, I have been revamping the UX education program at my company. We know that our learning program will make us stronger. We know our UX training program must include these elements for millennials:
- Role-based training (researcher, UX, front-end developer)
- Level-based training (contributor, senior, lead, principal, manager)
- Personal training (selling UX, becoming a public speaker)
- Leadership training (managing projects, conflict management)
In addition, we are establishing a robust mentoring program. The program will have seasoned professionals work with younger people. In this program, we envision:
- Seasoned professionals working with younger workers
- Reverse-mentoring with younger professionals teaching older workers
- Mentor rotations, where people learn from other workers
- Younger workers teaching technical classes
- Seasoned professionals teaching workshops on business processes
Millennial workers are an untapped resource by most companies. Learning programs will be key to integrating them into your company. They are the next generation of leaders.
Leaders build other leaders. (Ken Tabor)
What does your training program look like?
