Millennials vs. Baby Boomers in Project Management: Education and Training Gap

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explore and define key characteristics, tendencies, needs and expectations that distinguish the generation of Millennials from the generation of Baby Boomers. The paper will present both theoretical and practical overview in order to create effective education program and training system in the organization which is appealing to the Millennial generation, a workforce that will represent 50% of the global workforce by 2020. Desk research, secondary data analysis and systematic literature review will be used to analyze and identify key findings from different generations' perspective, which is essential for understanding how the Millennial generation learn, as well as rethinking and embracing different strategies and approaches for implementing talent development initiatives throughout training and education system. The implications of the characteristics on training development and design will be presented in order to evolve current learning landscape and effective knowledge transfer within the project oriented organizations. Further, the paper will present the results of research on the attitudes and preferences of two generations in terms of development and training. The main objective of the study will be to provide practical research about generational different view on how training process should be performed and recommendations for education and training design in the field of project management in order to attract, develop and retain Millennials.