Thousands of young people in Greater Manchester are set to benefit from a pioneering initiative aimed at equipping them with essential “soft skills” such as empathy, time management, and effective communication. This UK-first trial is designed to address concerns from employers that Generation Z—those born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s—are struggling with basic interpersonal skills, particularly in job interview settings and telephone conversations.

The programme, called Skills 4 Living, is being introduced by Higher Health and has already been operating in South Africa for six years. It will primarily be delivered online to students, supplemented by in-person assessments to foster real-world social interactions. The curriculum includes seminars on identifying fake news, internet safety, challenging discrimination, gambling awareness, and avoiding scams.

Leading child psychiatrist Professor Sandeep Ranote highlighted the unique challenges facing Gen Z, emphasising the “five Cs” that define their experiences: Covid, climate change, cost-of-living crises, cyberspace, and conflict. Speaking to The Guardian, she commented, “Young people are going into a world with huge challenges that certainly I didn’t have.” She suggested that the modern environment has contributed to deficits in key social and communication skills among this generation.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham expressed enthusiasm about the scheme, stating, “Preparing young people to lead confident, healthy and productive lives is key to their employability and long-term wellbeing. I’m proud that Greater Manchester’s young people will be the first in the UK to access this opportunity.” The programme aims to reach 10,000 young people and is being supported by the University of Manchester, University of Salford, and Manchester Metropolitan University.

There are plans to potentially extend the programme’s reach beyond students to include groups such as young offenders, military personnel, and refugees, thereby broadening its scope.

This educational effort comes against the backdrop of growing concern from employers about Generation Z’s readiness for workplace communication, particularly over the phone. Last month, one of the UK’s largest finance firms, Forvis Mazars, announced a new training initiative to help young staff overcome their reluctance to speak on the phone. The company described the younger generation as “digital natives” who often default to text or email and lack the confidence for direct verbal communication.

The training at Forvis Mazars will involve immersive experiences designed to build “relationship skills,” including handling challenging phone conversations and participating in client meetings. James Gilbey, chief executive of the firm, told The Telegraph, “We’ve committed to a major firm-wide investment to put relationship skills front and centre.” The company anticipates that as automation takes over routine tasks, developing strong interpersonal skills will become increasingly important for junior staff.

Recruitment expert Victoria Bari, head of training at Berry Recruitment Group, also highlighted the generational communication gap. Speaking to the Daily Mail, she noted, “There is certainly a generational divide and for younger, more inexperienced consultants, emails and messaging are the first route of communication. But talking to people remains the most effective method of building relationships, which is a fundamental building-block of sales.”

This dual approach—targeting young people both in education settings and the workplace—reflects a concerted effort to help Generation Z develop skills that employers deem critical for future success. The Greater Manchester pilot and corporate training programmes signal a growing recognition of the need to prepare young individuals not only for the technical demands of their careers but also for the interpersonal challenges they will inevitably face.

Source: Noah Wire Services