Elevating Human Potential: Building the Skilled Workforce of Tomorrow

In this article we discuss:

• The Challenge: The Opportunity Gap in a World of Untapped Talent
• The Solution: New Pathways to Professional Success
• Our Partnership: A Global Commitment to Opportunity
• Building the Future, Together

At the heart of our work at the Workday Foundation is a simple but profound belief: Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. Every day, I have the privilege of seeing what's possible when we bridge that gap. In a world where technology and the very nature of work are changing at an incredible pace, our collective mission has never been more urgent.

Bridging the gap between the skills companies need and the opportunities people have to acquire them requires a new way of thinking about talent development-one that is agile, inclusive, and focused on tangible outcomes. That's why I am so proud of the Workday Foundation's long-standing partnership with Generation, a global nonprofit that is pioneering effective new models to connect people with career-launching opportunities.

The Challenge: The Opportunity Gap in a World of Untapped Talent

In today's dynamic economy, traditional educational pathways are not always fast or accessible enough to keep up with industry demand. This creates a persistent skills gap, leaving critical business roles unfilled and slowing innovation.

Our own research at Workday confirms this urgency, revealing that more than half of leaders say their company is already facing a significant skills gap, and they believe it will take years to close it without intervention.

But this isn't just a business problem; it's a human one. Millions of motivated individuals are ready to learn and contribute but are lacking a clear path into a sustainable career. This disconnect represents a massive loss of human potential. The core challenge is clear: how can we more effectively connect talent with transformative opportunity?

Millions of motivated individuals are ready to learn and contribute but are lacking a clear path into a sustainable career.

The Solution: New Pathways to Professional Success

This is where organizations like Generation come in-and their work is nothing short of transformative. Generation works to train and place people across 17 countries into careers that were previously inaccessible. The vast majority of the individuals they work with don't have 4-year university degrees.

The numbers tell a story of profound impact. According to Generation's global impact data, 83% of their graduates are employed within six months of completing a program. Generation has more than 140,000 graduates who have collectively earned more than $1.9 billion in life-changing wages. And the change lasts - two to five years later, 77% remain employed and 73% earn a living wage.

For one of their participants, Manuel, Generation Spain's Solar Panel Installation program was the opportunity that got him out of long-term unemployment. "People aged 45 or over can do many things, and if we have the right approach and willingness, we can go wherever we want to," he said. Now, Manuel is growing professionally and personally in his job at Solar del Valle, a renewable energy company, and he is proud that his daughters can now say that their father works in the green economy, installing solar panels.

Generation has more than 140,000 graduates who have collectively earned more than $1.9 billion in life-changing wages.

Our Partnership: A Global Commitment to Opportunity

At the Workday Foundation, we are proud to support Generation's global mission. This partnership is a direct reflection of our core belief that a skills-first talent strategy is the most effective way to build the workforce of tomorrow. It's a philosophy that's deeply embedded in our own technology, like Workday Skills Cloud, which helps companies move beyond pedigree to focus on what people can do.

By supporting Generation's proven model, we are helping to create a more dynamic and equitable labor market where individuals have the skills to build lasting careers and businesses have access to the diverse, skilled talent they need to thrive.

By connecting potential with opportunity, we can build a more agile and prosperous future for everyone.

Building the Future, Together

Creating an elevated world of work is a collective responsibility. It requires collaboration, innovation, and a relentless focus on breaking down barriers. For every business leader reading this, I urge you to consider how you can be a part of this movement.

We are so inspired by the individuals investing in their skills and by organizations like Generation that empower them on their journey. This isn't just philanthropy; it's a business imperative. By connecting potential with opportunity, we can build a more agile and prosperous future for everyone.

Learn how you can get involved:

• Discover more about the powerful work being done by Generation across the globe.

• Business leaders: Consider how you can tap into diverse talent pools and rethink your hiring practices to focus on skills and potential over traditional credentials.

• Explore Workday's commitment to creating opportunity through the Workday Foundation.