Recap breakfast session: Generations in the workplace and attracting GenZ talent
Article
On April 17, a breakfast session took place on generational diversity in the workplace, focusing on attracting Gen Z talent in Nieuw-West.
Breakfast Session Recap: Generations in the Workplace & Attracting Gen Z Talent
Published on April 28, 2025 in Events, People, Mobility
On Thursday, April 17, employers, HR professionals, and managers gathered at Edge West for an interactive breakfast session about generational diversity in the workplace.
This event, organized by Green Business Club Amsterdam Sloterdijken, Werkgeversservicepunt Groot-Amsterdam, and Municipality of Amsterdam Nieuw-West, focused on the central question:
“Is your organization ready for Gen Z?”
A Versatile Program
Following a tasty breakfast and a warm welcome by Menno van der Valk, Chair of GBC Sloterdijken, district executive Sandra Doevendans opened the session. She emphasized the value of young talent from Nieuw-West and the opportunities this offers both for employers and the local community.
Next came two interactive workshops:
- Workshop 1: Employees from Generation Z (born between 1995 and 2010)
- Workshop 2: Navigating multiple generations in the workplace
Participants exchanged experiences about the opportunities and challenges of a diverse workforce, with special attention to the importance of flexibility and growth opportunities for young talent.
Generations at Work: Key Insights
Presentations and discussions revealed valuable insights into generational differences in workplace values:
- Protest Generation (1940–1954): Formal, structured, hierarchical
- Generation X (1955–1969): Contextual, action-oriented
- Pragmatic Generation (1970–1984): Efficient, quick to adapt
- Millennials / Generation Y (1985–1999): Open, informal, focused on growth and enjoyment
- Generation Z (2000–2014): Environmentally aware, digital natives, seeking security
Only 30% of young professionals are satisfied with their jobs.
31% want a different role, and 34% are unsure whether their current job fits them.
These statistics highlight the importance of embracing generational diversity in the workplace.
Practical Takeaways
The session yielded concrete tips for organizations looking to take action:
- Put on your generational lens: value every kind of talent
- Open the dialogue: shift from judgment to conversation
- Collaborate: make it a shared mission
One useful exercise shared: mapping out energy boosters and drainers within teams. This helps modernize outdated processes with support from more experienced colleagues.
Looking Ahead
This breakfast session kicked off a series of events focused on sustainable employability and generational diversity. A new session will follow in the fall, featuring inspiration and networking for employers.
Possible topics:
- Employee retention and engagement
- Vitality: physical, mental, and social well-being
- Diversity and inclusion
- Generational theory: a deep-dive session
More Information
- Want to learn more? Download free whitepapers at www.careerwise.nl
- Questions about employment and HR? Contact the Regional Work Center Greater Amsterdam
- Looking for staff? Contact the WerkgeversServicepunt Groot-Amsterdam
- Questions about this event? Email [email protected]
Article Details
Category
Events
Published
April 28, 2025
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Breakfast Session Recap: Generations in the Workplace & Attracting Gen Z Talent
Published on April 28, 2025 in Events, People, Mobility
On Thursday, April 17, employers, HR professionals, and managers gathered at Edge West for an interactive breakfast session about generational diversity in the workplace.
This event, organized by Green Business Club Amsterdam Sloterdijken, Werkgeversservicepunt Groot-Amsterdam, and Municipality of Amsterdam Nieuw-West, focused on the central question:
“Is your organization ready for Gen Z?”
A Versatile Program
Following a tasty breakfast and a warm welcome by Menno van der Valk, Chair of GBC Sloterdijken, district executive Sandra Doevendans opened the session. She emphasized the value of young talent from Nieuw-West and the opportunities this offers both for employers and the local community.
Next came two interactive workshops:
- Workshop 1: Employees from Generation Z (born between 1995 and 2010)
- Workshop 2: Navigating multiple generations in the workplace
Participants exchanged experiences about the opportunities and challenges of a diverse workforce, with special attention to the importance of flexibility and growth opportunities for young talent.
Generations at Work: Key Insights
Presentations and discussions revealed valuable insights into generational differences in workplace values:
- Protest Generation (1940–1954): Formal, structured, hierarchical
- Generation X (1955–1969): Contextual, action-oriented
- Pragmatic Generation (1970–1984): Efficient, quick to adapt
- Millennials / Generation Y (1985–1999): Open, informal, focused on growth and enjoyment
- Generation Z (2000–2014): Environmentally aware, digital natives, seeking security
Only 30% of young professionals are satisfied with their jobs.
31% want a different role, and 34% are unsure whether their current job fits them.
These statistics highlight the importance of embracing generational diversity in the workplace.
Practical Takeaways
The session yielded concrete tips for organizations looking to take action:
- Put on your generational lens: value every kind of talent
- Open the dialogue: shift from judgment to conversation
- Collaborate: make it a shared mission
One useful exercise shared: mapping out energy boosters and drainers within teams. This helps modernize outdated processes with support from more experienced colleagues.
Looking Ahead
This breakfast session kicked off a series of events focused on sustainable employability and generational diversity. A new session will follow in the fall, featuring inspiration and networking for employers.
Possible topics:
- Employee retention and engagement
- Vitality: physical, mental, and social well-being
- Diversity and inclusion
- Generational theory: a deep-dive session
More Information
- Want to learn more? Download free whitepapers at www.careerwise.nl
- Questions about employment and HR? Contact the Regional Work Center Greater Amsterdam
- Looking for staff? Contact the WerkgeversServicepunt Groot-Amsterdam
- Questions about this event? Email [email protected]