Global learning leader Development Beyond Learning (DBL) launches DBL elevate, a transformational learning and development programme focused on closing the critical soft skills gap among early-career professionals whilst enhancing organisation productivity.
This new series of interactive, real-time sessions, are tailored to help young employees build the essential skills needed for career success and to empower them to perform at a new standard.
Inspired by DBL’s latest survey that showed 8 in 10* Gen Z employees believe learning is key to career advancement, ‘elevate’ is the next generation in digital learning to prepare the next generation for their future.
Bridging the generational gap
The generational gap has got wider and is now seen as the biggest pain point for businesses. Increasing levels of low self-esteem, anxiety, lack of adaptability and resilience, are among other growing concerns affecting young people that employers recognise to be a barrier to their progression.
With the decline of fundamental human skills (Forbes, 2024) in a time dominated by technology, natural face to face coaching and mentorship interactions in the workplace are being lost. DBL’s new elevate programme will help to bridge this gap, as Pete Humphreys, COE explains;
“It’s crucial to recognise the strengths that Gen Z bring to the workplace as they’re known to be an entrepreneurial and diverse generation. Our aim is to provide a modern development opportunity that is welcomed by both employers and young professionals, bringing them together to build confidence and knowledge so there is success all round.
“With Gen Alpha only six years away from landing their first job, it’s time to focus on supporting the capability of current early talent so that the infrastructure for newcomers is robust by the time they arrive,” adds Pete.
The elevate Programme
DBL elevate’s flagship programme Career Jump-Start: Essential Skills for Young Professionals consists of three live virtual 90-minute training modules spread over a 10 to 12-week period and covers:
- Personal Brand
- Building Relationships and Networking
- Adaptability and Resilience
Continued Professional Development (CPD) accredited, this fully interactive course creates a global learning community, offering real-time engagement and continuous support.
Learners gain access to a learning management system that includes pre- and post-session independent learning activities and a resource toolkit, available for three months post programme completion.
Preparing for the Future: A Call for Collaboration
DBL is urging businesses and educational institutions to consider current workplace issues and collaborate on closing the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Universities focus heavily on theory, leaving graduates ill-prepared for real-world challenges. Organisations demanding technical, over human skills, aren’t helping the situation either. DBL calls for a shift in strategy.
To further future proof businesses, DBL Elevate caters for aspiring managers as well. The leadership programme, also CPD accredited, Leading with Impact: Empowering New Managers offers effective development of the next generation of leaders.
“We are at a transformational stage of the working environment. AI is making massive waves across the world, but it cannot replace human skills,” says Pete.
Businesses need the right managers to support the younger generation. Similar to the Career Jump-Start programme, Leading with Impact has three live virtual 90-minute sessions delivered over a 10 to 12-week period with a focus on:
- Knowing yourself as a manager
- Working on manager essentials
- Developing strong team dynamics
DBL elevate is a timely response to a growing problem. “Waiting for young employees to fail in the workplace before offering support is a recipe for disaster,” adds Pete. “We need to empower the next generation now with the skills they need to thrive.”
*Mind The Gap, DBL, 2023
