Today’s young employees are not ready for the workplace.

This is not a matter of opinion; it is a statement of fact. A long string of surveys and research studies have made this clear.

• Employers say so.
• College career center staff say so.
• Even recent college graduates say so.

In fact, a recent study by the Center for Professional Excellence at York College of Pennsylvania revealed the biggest gaps between what HR staff and hiring managers need and what they get from new hires. Topping the list of problem areas are lack of work ethic, lack of taking responsibility for decisions and actions, and poor communication skills, both verbal and written.

This should come as no surprise to anyone working in a company – large or small – that hires recent graduates. But what can you do about it?

The steps toward a solution:

Small startups are nimble and unburdened by past practice, so they can be free to experiment with programs such as unlimited vacation time, flexible hours, and novel management structures. Existing companies already have their management structure and procedures well-established, which makes it more difficult to cater to the specific needs of the current generation of recent graduates. Instead, companies need to find ways to help these young employees develop the “soft skills” that so many of them lack. Companies also must help their HR staff and managers understand how to work most effectively with these workers, in order to maximize the organization’s investment in the new hires.

Alfred Poor addresses the needs of both of these audiences with programs that are filled with practical information that result in measurable outcomes. With humor and energy, he is a skilled teacher who can convey old-school concepts of initiative and responsibility backed by the latest research and analysis. He presents his message in a way that his audiences can take to heart and put into practice the moment they leave the room.

Alfred Poor’s programs for company audiences:

For young employees: SURVIVE the Corporate Jungle is a program suitable for a wide range of events, or as a stand-alone presentation. Based on the content from his book, “7 Success Secrets That Every College Student Needs to Know!” Alfred Poor presents a positive and upbeat view of what young employees can do to become valued contributors to their company’s success. Click here for more information.

For HR and managers: In Hard Truths about Soft Skills, Alfred Poor examines some of the rich information developed by recent surveys and studies, and provides an insightful analysis of the forces at work that make today’s recent graduates fundamentally different from those of just 10 years ago. He then builds on this foundation to point the way that managers can work with these new hires to help them be more successful in their jobs, find satisfaction in their work, and increase their value to their employers. Click here for more information.