Entry-Level Workers Unprepared for Jobs Amid AI Blitz, Survey Says
A recent report by General Assembly reveals that the majority of leaders surveyed believe entry-level employees are still not adequately prepared for their roles. This is despite leaders perceiving them as slightly better prepared compared to the previous year. The findings highlight a persistent skills gap as the adoption of AI continues to grow, raising concerns about the future of entry-level positions.
The State of Entry-Level Preparedness
The survey data paints a concerning picture. Only 22% of company leaders at the VP level in the U.S. indicated that entry-level workers were "very" or "completely" prepared for their jobs. A larger proportion, 47%, felt they were "somewhat" prepared, while a significant 31% believed they were "hardly" or "not at all" prepared, indicating a substantial gap between expectations and reality.
The Soft Skills Deficit
The report identifies a lack of soft skills as the primary driver of this unpreparedness. This issue is particularly pronounced at larger companies, where 64% of leaders at organizations with 1,000 or more employees cited it as a major factor. This contrasts with 41% of leaders at smaller companies. Interestingly, workers also recognize this deficit, with 42% attributing their unpreparedness to a lack of soft skills, suggesting a shared understanding of the challenge.
Disagreement on Upskilling Responsibility and Training Adequacy
While there's agreement on the skills gap, employers and employees disagree on who is responsible for addressing it and whether current training efforts are sufficient. Most leaders believe that training is primarily the worker's responsibility, although 60% acknowledge that employers also bear some responsibility. However, despite 80% of leaders claiming to offer adequate training, fewer workers agree with this assessment compared to the previous year, revealing a disconnect between employer perception and employee experience.
The Impact of AI on Entry-Level Opportunities
The growth of artificial intelligence (AI) is adding another layer of complexity. A Zety survey earlier this year indicated that nearly 75% of respondents believe AI will reduce entry-level corporate job opportunities in the next five years. Reinforcing this concern, the General Assembly survey found that 83% of workers think AI can perform most entry-level jobs as well as a human could, creating further pressure and anxiety within the workforce.
The Call for Investment in Training and Upskilling
Daniele Grassi, CEO of General Assembly, emphasizes the critical need for employers to invest in training and upskilling the next generation, stating that "Today’s entry-level employees systematically struggle with soft skills and job preparedness, while employers continue to blame employees themselves... As AI increasingly impacts the entry-level pipeline, employers have a responsibility to invest in training and upskilling of the next generation. If not, we’ll face a critical skills shortage in just a few years." This sentiment underscores the urgency of addressing the skills gap to avoid a future crisis.