The future is Gen Y and the future is worrying!

Stats came out this week showing that over 26% of apprentices dropped out of their schemes during the first year. That's a pretty staggering Drop Out Rate and gives rise to a plethora of questions!

• Where are they going?
• What will they do instead?
• Does it mean the replacements are less able?
• Why did they drop out?

What's even more concerning is the following quote in the Yahoo report ...

"But employers said there were still too many young people starting the scheme only to change their minds half way through because they were no longer interested. Many school-leavers found it hard to adapt to longer working hours and early morning starts."

Perhaps this is tangible proof of Gen Y  and beyond. It is probably also a further reinforcement to our need to change the way we train, develop and prepare the next generation of colleagues.

I believe it's a mistake for us to bend to them or vice versa, like any new relationship it will require some give and take!