By 2014 Millennials (born between 1977 and 1997) will make up 47 percent of the workforce.  Their comfort level with technology is the greatest of any workforce so far.  They grew up with it, they use it, and they embrace it.
     Technology for this generation has provided both information and entertainment on an as-needed on-demand basis.  If they have a question they go to the internet and “Google” it.  If they are bored they can go on YouTube and watch a video.  If they want to find out what their friends are up to or let their friends know that they are up to they can go to Facebook.  They get constant and instant updates on Twitter and they text short conversations which shares immediate information with others. 
     What does this mean for training departments?  It means that this new group of employees will demand:
            • Edutainment (education and entertainment) 
            • Short training scenarios that provide instant information on a specific topic
            • Training that is always available 24/7 whether at work or at home
            • The ability to access this information on a computer, a smart phone,
                 or any other device that connects to the internet
            • Pictures, videos, audio all must be incorporated into the training
     This generation would rather not open up a manual and begin reading.  They would rather not sit in a classroom and be bored by a “talking head” trying to download information.    This generation wants to go to work and pick-up knowledge on a need-to-know basis.
     If you are involved in training you need to know how to creatively develop training that can be placed on the internet/intranet.  Tools such as Captivate and Camtasia can help you create learning tools for this generation.  If you don’t know how to record and edit audio or video invest in yourself now and begin to explore the possibilities these tools can provide as you create dynamic training for these Millennials.