Connecting Gen Z with The Corrugated Industry
It was not too long ago that Royal’s focused on our employee growth with Millennials, now we are seeing a new pool of candidates starting to appear on the market – Generation Z. With many fresh minds of this generation just starting to fill up the business world, we are investing our time to search and prepare for welcoming these new job candidates.
Generation Z will soon surpass Millennials as the most populous generation on earth. Some estimates say that in a few years they will make up a quarter of employment rates across the globe.
As generation Z trickles into the workforce, we expect the impact of their entry will be swift and profound. Different than its older counterpart, the Millennials, this generation has an entirely unique perspective on careers and how to define success in life and in the workforce.
Specifically, in manufacturing industries, there has been a decrease in labour shortage in recent years. This is a ripple effect of the retiring baby boomers and the general lack of interest in trades from Millennials. At Royal Containers, we recognize the trend of younger employees and need to better understand how to recruit Gen Z, the challenges facing this rising workforce, and how to connect gen Z to the corrugated industry in a meaningful way.
Who is Gen Z?
Firstly, let’s meet Gen Z, the group born after the Millennials between 1997 to 2012 and who are ranged from 6-24 years old in 2021. This highly diverse group made up over 28% of the population in Canada by 2019. Being digital natives, this group was born into a world where computers, cell phones, the Internet, and social media are all at their disposal, making them more tech-literate than any other generation before.
What is important to Gen Z?
Gen Zers are classified as a passionate yet informed group. Whether it is their career path, spending habits or how they interact with brands, they place a lot of value on corporate culture, inclusivity, sustainability, and transparency.
This demographic emphasizes work-life balance and wants to work for a company where their professional and personal values align.
Royal is connecting with the new generation.
One article in Career Metis cites, “65% of students in school today will be in jobs that don’t yet exist”. Younger generations are drawn to the cutting-edge tech industry, social media jobs, or media/film careers. Royal Containers is dedicated to changing the perception of working in the manufacturing sector and find ways to attract Gen Z to the corrugated industry. We are an important part of our global supply chain, sustainably sourced, and will be a perfect fit for the up-and-coming generation.
Qualities of Gen Z for recruitment
Eager to work.
This generation isn’t hesitant to gain valuable career experience, even if it is in the form of an internship, volunteering, or other activities. If they can learn and build on their future, they will be interested. Every year, Royal Containers hires 7-10 summer students between our Brampton and London offices. We see this as a great opportunity for the students to obtain real-life corporate experience and a chance for us to learn more about this younger demographic. We are always looking ahead to our future and how we will grow into it.
Tech Savvy
Born multitaskers who know how to use the internet to find the information they need will without a doubt be of tremendous value for Royal Containers. We Lead
Independent in nature.
Gen Z employees often manage on their own. They will be dedicated, resourceful in finding solutions (on the internet) themselves, and they are incredibly persistent, which is complementary to the Royal team culture we have today.
Don’t waste time.
Gen Z does not waste any time. They are used to virtually everything being literally at their fingertips in the form of their smartphones: music, pictures, videos, shopping, you name it. Working smarter and more efficiently is aligned with Royal’s values. We Perform.
Money isn’t everything.
Money can entice anyone and motivate people to work, but Gen Z’s are not as concerned about the money as they are their future. At Royal, we invest in developing the leaders of tomorrow.
This group was raised during a time of instant gratification and where two-way communication between companies is expected. Therefore, in a professional setting, Gen Z expects constant feedback from management.
Being inquisitive by nature. When recruiting a Gen Z we will take an approach that will showcase the ‘day in the life’ of their role at Royal. Our strong sense of community and culture in our workplace will be attractive reasons to begin their career at Royal Containers.
Our company is every changing to adaptable, it’s part of what makes us a leader in the space! We look forward to welcoming this new workforce into Royal Containers.
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