How the University of Bolton Prepares Gen Z For the Uncertain Future of Work

We live in an era defined by rapid advancements in tech and shifting career landscapes. For Generation Z, this delivers a clear signal: transferable skills could be critical to their success in the working world.

With many from the Gen Z cohort only beginning to enter the workforce, they face expectations and challenges unlike any previous generation before them. Recognising this, the University of Bolton has tailored its curriculum and services to directly prepare these young individuals for a future where adaptability and resilience are paramount.

Understanding Gen Z

Generation Z, defined as those born from the mid-1990s to the early 2010s, are likely to encounter a professional world that is vastly different from that of their predecessors. A 2024 report from Jabra, a global electronics manufacturer, shows revealing workplace attitudes from Gen Z: while flexibility and career development are highly valued, they also grapple with stress and the prospect of job burnout.

Despite 69% of them feeling stressed and experiencing burnout, an impressive 72% report feeling more satisfied with their career development compared to other generations in a sign of a resilient and paradoxical relationship with the workplace.

It's a generation that craves satisfaction in their professional growth yet is acutely aware of the transient nature of modern careers. They clearly are not willing to be treated as cogs; for example, the TikTok account Salary Transparent Street boasts 1.1 billion views and nearly 21 million likes, showing Gen Z's expectations for open salary discussions.

Once out of university, the onus is on employers to continue developing their Gen Z employee and studies suggest these new entrants into the workforce are prepared to penalise what they see as unfair treatment. The “Global Generations 3.0” report from Ernst & Young suggests that the majority of Generation Z rate equal opportunities for pay and promotion, as well as learning and career advancement opportunities, as the top factors that build trust with their employer.

A 2022 Gallup Poll indicates that businesses are not up to the task just yet, with results showing that 54% of Gen Z employees are ambivalent or not engaged at work, higher than any other generation.

So what are British universities doing about it?

The Bolton Approach

The University of Bolton has moved for years to evolve traditional education models to fit this ever-changing environment. Further education has a role to impart knowledge, but in today’s climate must also equip students with a toolkit of multifaceted skills.

The University’s approach is encapsulated in its novel MSc in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, a course designed to teach relevant practical skills and inspire a new way of thinking. Focusing on entrepreneurship, innovation and business development, the course aims to nurture a mindset among graduates that is unerringly creative and resilient, helping students to land on their feet each time uncertainty provides a professional challenge.

This strategy lies within the context of a generation where, Jabra’s report finds, over 70% express satisfaction with their jobs, yet 55% expect to change jobs within the next year, and 64% see job-hopping as a viable career development strategy.

Integrated into the University of Bolton’s plan is the recognition that support outside the classroom is just as crucial in fostering adaptability. Through services like the Life Lounge, Bolton offers a comprehensive support system addressing mental health, wellbeing and academic advice. This holistic approach ensures that students are not only academically prepared but also learn how to be mentally and emotionally resilient.

Personalising Support

In addition to specialised courses, the emphasis on small study groups allows for personalised attention, ensuring that students' unique needs and challenges are addressed.

This setting fosters a sense of community and belonging, crucial for Gen Z, who value connectivity and face-to-face interactions even in a digital age.

Office for National Statistics (ONS) data by the Campaign to End Loneliness shows that 10% of younger Brits, particularly those aged between 16-29, are likely to report feeling lonely "often" or "always".

This need for personal connection is backed by The Deloitte 2023 Gen Z and Millennial Survey, which found nearly a quarter of Generation Z were concerned that hybrid or remote work was detrimental to their mental health and ability to make connections.

A Vision For Generation Z

The evident paradoxes faced by Gen Z in the workplace underscore the importance of an educational experience that goes beyond textbooks.

A significant proportion of Gen Z workers seek flexibility, work-life balance and meaningful career progression, so the University of Bolton's focus on transferable skills is not out of the blue. The University's commitment to nurturing an entrepreneurial mindset positions its graduates to lead rather than follow in a world where change is the only constant.

The professional landscape will continue to evolve, perhaps only picking up pace, so the role of higher education institutions in preparing future generations is growing to be increasingly vital.

Emphasising transferable skills, well-being and innovation shows an approach which responds to the needs of Gen Z at the same time it helps shape a future where adaptability, resilience and holistic development are at the forefront.

In doing so, the University says true to the mission of UK further education to teach and empower students. With this new-look strategy, it’s possible the younger generations will be able to redefine the parameters of success in the workplace, armed with the knowledge that their unique challenges and perspectives are both understood and actively addressed.