83% Of Gen Z's Upskilling To Secure New Job Opportunities: Simplilearn

Simplilearn has compiled valuable insights regarding Generation Z individuals aged 18-27. This study showed a significant trend towards upskilling with a strong focus on securing new job opportunities in the tech sector. The data collected from over 10,000 participants highlighted critical insights into the upskilling behaviors and motivations among the younger workforce.

India has the world's most significant number of Gen Z youth, with over 600 million people under 28. It is estimated that upskilling could bring over 100 million young Indians into the workforce. This would boost GDP and help India achieve its goal of reaching a $4 trillion economy, further attributing Gen Z as the present and future workforce. By 2030, 30 per cent of the global workforce will comprise Gen Z’s.

The findings show that Gen Z is actively improving their skills to meet the changing demands of the job market, especially in the growing tech industry. This proactive approach aligns with overall economic trends focused on digital transformation and innovation across sectors.

Key Insights include:

• Gender Breakdown: 70 per cent of those upskilling are male, and 30 per cent are female
• Educational Background: Approximately 66 per cent of those upskilling hold bachelor’s degrees, indicating a solid foundation in formal education before upskilling
• Sector Distribution: Nearly 60 per cent of learners are currently employed in the IT sector, and 40 per cent engaged in various non-IT industries
• Upskilling Objectives: 83 per cent of Gen Z individuals are upskilling to secure better job opportunities, demonstrating that they are taking proactive steps to advance their careers
• Course Preferences: Among the most enrolled courses, data science and business analysis led with 35.3 per cent, followed by AI and machine learning at 33.9 per cent and cybersecurity at 20.2 per cent, reflecting a strong preference for technology-focused disciplines essential to current and future job markets
• Funding: Notably, 91 per cent of learners have self-funded their upskilling initiatives, demonstrating a high level of personal investment in career development.

Kashyap Dalal, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Simplilearn, said, “Gen Z's impact on today's workforce comes from their digital proficiency, fresh perspectives, and relentless focus on upskilling. As a digital native generation who has grown up with a high exposure to technology, they find it easy to pick up digital tools and new ways of working. They do not have the baggage of set ways of doing things and this allows them to look at business problems afresh, without constraints and in the context of new technologies available. It is great to see our Gen Z generation upskilling in large numbers, taking proactive steps to build the career they want, and adding value to their workplaces."