Is Your Contracting Business Ready for Generation Z?

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’ve heard plenty about the work habits of people in the Millennial generation. If you feel a little behind in meeting the needs of the new adult workforce (even if you’re a Millennial yourself), it’s time to get up to speed. The oldest members of Generation Z are out of high school and they might be heading straight for your contracting business. Here’s what you need to know to engage them.

What Is Generation Z?
Research organizations define generation boundaries differently, so it’s hard to tack down precisely when a generation begins and ends. Opinions vary on when Gen Z starts, with most saying between 1995 and 1997 and ending in 2010-2012. This means that the oldest people in the generation are in their early 20s. Not surprisingly, numbers on the population vary too, between 65 million and 72 million. Experts estimate that this generation represents over a quarter of the population. And while it’s not a huge part of the workforce (yet), it will be. With a construction labor shortage and a gradual decrease in trained workers as Baby Boomers retire, this is the space to watch.

How Is Generation Z Different from Other Generations?
The average age of a construction worker is about 41, which places the middle point in that gray area between Generation X and Millennials. Late Gen X and older Millennials got the benefit of Internet access from a relatively young age. But your exposure to technology in childhood was nothing compared to Gen Z. These teenagers and young adults saw the emergence of smartphones in elementary school, and the younger ones have never known life without them. They may be less familiar with paper forms and “dumb” devices, and ease much more readily into a high-tech workplace.

What Are Younger Workers Looking for?
The upcoming adults of Gen Z are familiar with the difficulties of the modern job environment. Unlike their Millennial and Gen X predecessors, they are less likely to see a college degree as a means to a good career. They’re wary of accumulating debt without the guarantee of a reliable job, which makes trade school a more appealing prospect.

This generation has an entrepreneurial spirit built on decades of support from their parents and mentors. Many love the flexibility they get from being an independent contractor, free to pick and choose which companies to work with. But don’t make the mistake of thinking they are all ready for the gig economy. Many also want the comfort of a predictable income and benefits. Seamless automation in construction tasks might get them in the door, but you’ll need to offer compelling career options to keep them exclusive.

How Can Contracting Businesses Appeal to Gen Z?
Many construction fields are watching numbers dwindle as the longtime experts head off into the sunny western sky of retirement. To hook people in while they are still considering their options in their teens and 20s, businesses have to modernize, and fast. Learning on the job is something workers in this generation are primed to do, and they’ll pick it up faster than you might expect. Give them options to earn certifications or licenses, and don’t be surprised if they pick up side hustles in their off-hours. Their out-of-the-box thinking might help you simplify your processes and cut costs.

The construction field is always changing as the next generation comes in. If you’re smart, you will tailor your contracting business to work with the next decade of construction professionals. To learn how you can create a company that helps build the future, visit CSLS today!