THE GENERATIONS AT WORK

Original Research and Data Jeffery T. Kimble

Professor University of North

Carolina, Charlotte School of Science Technology Fire Science Program

David Murphy Professor

University of North Carolina, Charlotte School of Science Technology Fire Science Program

Traditionalists/Veterans/Builders 1925-1940

Boomers 1945-1959

Generation X, GenXers 1960-1976

Generation Y 1977-1989

Millennial, Nexters, Internet Generation, Entitlement Generation 1989-1999

IDENTIFYING GENERATIONS

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What Shapes Generational Traits

Stable, detail oriented, thorough, loyal, hard working, and live by rules

Life long careers Leadership by HierarchyAutomobile, Electricity, Radio, World War, and

Phone

Traditionalists (adaptive)

Service oriented, driven, willing to “go the extra mile.” good at relationships, team oriented

Building a Stellar careerLeadership by ConsensusFreeways, Television, Cold War, Commercial

air travel, and FM radio

Boomers (idealists)

GenXers (reactive)Adaptable, techno-literate, independent,

unintimidated by authority, and creativeCareer must move forward or will die.

Building a portable career. Leadership by competenceSpace Travel, Computers, Mobile phone,

World in Transition post Viet Nam and the Worldwide Web.

Challenging Authority, Questioning Statements and facts

No trust in system (Social Security)Self leading believe they are the best to

control their own lifeEnhancement of GenX technology, Satellite

television, GPS, PDA, Mobile technology

Generation Y (skeptic)

Optimistic, tenacious, multi-taskers, capable, and technologically savvy

Building parallel careersLeadership by pulling togetherHigh speed internet, text messaging,

Terrorism, Nano-technologies and a push button world.

Entitlement (civics)

How do you feel about?

48% have never changed a tire and would rather call for help

58% have service occupation back ground13% have back ground in the trades 53% played competitive sports78% stated that building construction for the

fire service was their 1st exposure to construction.

Challenges

Jack-ass

Is the Risk management baseline

What is different with the workers we have now verses:

20 years ago10 years ago5 years agoIs the difference positive or negative?

The question is:

SimulationsHigh tech gamesBasic skills from beginning (Supervised)Explaining the cause and effect of actions and

procedures.Understanding that students are going to be

more advanced in use of technology.Entertain and court interest subjects

How do we bridge the gap?