Training Millennials

, , ,

Millennials were born between 1981–2000. About half of them are in the workforce and they have very specific training needs and desires.

In a recent SHRM article, it was reported that 90% of millennial respondents said it was important that training is easy to complete and understand. 85% said that it needed to be engaging and fun; 85% said training needed to be personalized and relevant; and, sadly, 30% said they received no formal training on the job.

These results were not surprising. Millennials want training that will help them improve and grow, not only at work but in their personal lives as well. As you present to millennials, it is important to tie the information back to how it will help them be more effective and efficient.

Millennials are tech-savvy and they like having technology woven into their training. This may mean providing links and additional online resources that they can access while taking or following their training.

Millennials expect visuals. If you’re using PowerPoint be sure to have pictures, video and infographics. When it comes to training, they are less about entitlement and more about engagement. Keep it fresh. Keep it fun and keep it interesting.

Millennials want constant praise and feedback. They appreciate opportunities for coaching throughout a training experience and enjoy having more senior employees in the sessions so that they can be mentored by them.

In reality, what millennials want is simply great training that is engaging and effective … and that is good for any training no matter what generation is attending!


Leave a Reply

  • Dear Dr. Mimi – Disturbed

    Dear Dr. Mimi,I have a coworker who keeps talking negatively to me and complains about their personal life. It’s very irritating. I’ve tried to act uninterested and hoped they would take the hint, but they keep talking to me when I am trying to work. What should I do? —Disturbed Dear Disturbed, We all have…


  • Dear Dr. Mimi – BabySitter

    Dear Dr. Mimi,My boss has me mentoring the new hire, even though I am not qualified, nor required, to train them. How do I tell my boss that I am not qualified to teach him? I feel like I’m a babysitter, and I am falling behind on my own work. What do I do? —Babysitter…


  • Strategies for Training New Employees

    Effective onboarding and training provides clarity, reduces confusion, and fosters early success. This helps new hires understand their roles and connects them to the company’s culture, values, and goals. Here are some key strategies. Create a Structured Onboarding Program. Provide a schedule, assign mentors or buddies, and introduce them to key systems and team members.…