Most entry-level employees are unprepared for their roles, despite slight improvement from last year, according to General Assembly. In a survey of U.S. VP-level leaders, only 22% said these workers were very or completely prepared. Meanwhile, 47% said they were somewhat ready, and 31% reported them as hardly prepared.
Leaders largely blame a lack of soft skills for this gap, particularly at larger organizations. At companies with over 1,000 employees, 64% of leaders cited soft skills as the main issue, compared to 41% at smaller firms. Workers echoed this sentiment, with 42% acknowledging that soft skills deficiencies limit their readiness.
Disagreement persists over who is responsible for upskilling. Most leaders said employees should take the lead, though 60% also noted employers hold some responsibility. Even though 80% of employers claim they offer sufficient training, fewer workers agreed this year compared to last.
The rise of AI intensifies these challenges. Nearly 75% of respondents in a Zety survey said AI may reduce entry-level opportunities in the next five years. In the General Assembly survey, 83% of workers believe AI can perform many entry-level roles as effectively as humans.
“Entry-level employees continue to struggle with soft skills and job preparedness, while employers often place the blame on them,” said Daniele Grassi, CEO of General Assembly. “As AI transforms entry-level roles, employers must invest in training and upskilling, or face a severe skills shortage in the coming years.”
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News Source: Hrdive.com
