Young Thais keen on working for new tech firms

So-called post-millennials – those born after 1996 and known as Gen Z – are expecting technology to take centre stage in their careers.
By: | December 21, 2018
Topics: Asia-Pacific | News | Thailand

 

According to a survey by Dell Technologies, Thais aged 16 to 23 are eager to work with cutting-edge technology in their future careers.

The report showed that 97% of the country’s Generation Z (those born from the mid-1990s to the mid-2000s) are willing to enter the cutting-edge tech workforce.

This percentage is much higher than the global average of 80% and the Southeast Asian average of 90%.

Anothai Wettayakorn, vice president of Dell EMC Indochina, said that in 2019 Generation Z will graduate and enter the labour force.

By 2020 they will make up 20% of the workforce. To attract the youngsters and promote youth engagement, businesses are urged to prepare their information technology infrastructures and collaboration technology tools, such as using augmented and virtually reality.

Dell surveyed 12,000 high schools in 17 countries, including 722 in Thailand and 4,331 in Southeast Asia, for its Gen Z global research.

 

Tech-savvy, but soft skills still a priority

The global report showed that 80% of Gen Z aspire to work with cutting-edge technology and more than a third are interested in IT careers.

Further, 77% of Gen Zers are willing to serve as tech mentors on the job, yet 94% worry about having the right skills and experience.

Interestingly, more than 9 out of 10 (91%) said that the technology offered by an employer would be a factor in choosing among similar job offers.

Another 8 out of 10 (80%) believe technology and automation will create a more equitable work environment by preventing bias and discrimination.

“It’s almost a given that these digital natives have advanced technology and data science skills, but what is surprising is the level of digital maturity they are bringing to the workplace,” said Danny Cobb, corporate fellow and vice president of Technology Strategy, Dell Technologies.

“Yet we haven’t raised a generation of robots. Gen Z sees technology not only as a tool for enabling human progress, but also as a means for leveling the information empowerment playing field. Their combination of vision and optimism is remarkable.”