SAGEA 2024 CONFERENCE

A recent WEF article suggests that “AI skills are becoming more important than job experience”.  With exponential growth in the use of generative AI at work, there is little doubt that the use of AI to manage workloads and increase efficiency and creativity will create advantages for workers who know how to deploy AI to their advantage.  What are we, as a community of Employers and Higher Education Institutions doing to define entry-level AI skills and ensure that we grow these as part of early career development?

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) should underpin an organization's Employee Development Strategy by serving as guiding principles throughout every stage of the development process.  When creating individualized development plans for employees, do you consider their unique backgrounds, experiences, and aspirations?  Are you providing development opportunities that are accessible and relevant to all employees?  And have you identified and addressed systemic barriers that may hinder the advancement of underrepresented groups within the organization?

Employers make extensive use of Assessments at the selection phase of the employment lifecycle – but how often are assessment outcomes being used effectively to guide the career paths of young talent, based on their strengths, interests and aspirations – whilst meeting the evolving needs of the organisation?  If you have success stories to share, we’d love to hear them!

Together with AI, Behavioural Science is the new kid on the block. By understanding and positively influencing the principles that drive motivation, engagement and productivity employers can build a high-performance culture that promotes autonomy, collaboration, a growth mindset, constructive feedback and psychological safety – and ultimately the success of the organization.

Great managers and leaders engender loyalty and often hold the power to positively influence retention.  Young professionals are drawn to workplaces where they feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow. Leaders and managers who can create a positive work environment that resonates with young talent will not only enhance your employee value proposition and attractiveness as an employer of choice – it will also ensure that young talent thrives in the organisation.