The Millennials Soft Skills Gap in the 21st Century: Cyprus Study

This dissertation investigates the soft skills gap among Millennials in Cyprus, examining the discrepancy between employer expectations and the skills acquired through vocational education. The study explores the soft skills employers deem essential in the workplace and analyzes the training provided by educational institutions. The research aims to identify specific skill gaps and propose recommendations to bridge them. The dissertation includes a literature review, detailing soft skills requirements and existing training programs. The methodology employs a deductive approach with a quantitative strategy, utilizing interviews with HR professionals and educators. The analysis, using thematic methods, seeks to determine the extent of the gap and suggest improvements to enhance skill development among Millennials, thereby improving their performance and contributing positively to their organizations. The dissertation's structure includes an introduction, literature review, research methodology, data analysis, and conclusions with recommendations.

Dissertation

Contents
Contents...........................................................................................................................................2
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................1
1.1 Title........................................................................................................................................1
1.2 Introduction............................................................................................................................1
1.3 Background............................................................................................................................1
1.4 Rational..................................................................................................................................2
1.5 Aim and Objectives...............................................................................................................2
1.6 Research question..................................................................................................................2
1.7 Focus and purpose.................................................................................................................3
1.8 Dissertation structure.............................................................................................................3
1.9 Framework and Analysis.......................................................................................................4
1.10 Significance of the research.................................................................................................5
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW.........................................................................................6
2.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................6
2.2 Soft skills required by employees in work environment.......................................................6
2.3 Training that are offered by vocational education...............................................................10
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY...........................................................................14
3.1 Introduction..........................................................................................................................14
3.2 Research philosophy............................................................................................................14
3.3 Research design...................................................................................................................15
3.4 Research approach...............................................................................................................16
3.5 Research Strategy................................................................................................................17
3.6 Data Collection Method.......................................................................................................18
3.7 Sampling..............................................................................................................................18

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Title
“The Millennials Soft Skills Gap in the 21st Century: A study on Cyprus.”
1.2 Introduction
There are different type of skills and capabilities that an individuals should possess so
that they will be able to perform the given task in effective manner. With time there are many
changes that has taken place. Further, in business there are many set of technology used that has
to be used by employees in effective manner. Skills are developed with time and as per
requirement. It is important for an employees to understand the need and take appropriate steps
to learn or enhance them. Employees are the face of organization as they have direct interaction
with customers as they present the products and services. When they are not able to perform their
roles in effective manner, then it has negative impact over the business. Further, there are
different type of changes that has taken place in the educational system. This is identified that
educational system used is not effective enough to develop human skills and behaviours in order
to succeed within the business. Main focus on this research to determine the Millennials soft
skills gap in the 21st century. This is a vast topic and so the research is focused on Cyprus.
1.3 Background
Skills are highly important to be developed so that they will be able to perform the work
in effective manner. At schools that educational system that enacted is not effective as it keeps
on changing. The system need to be in such a way that all the people are able to get benefited
and they are able to make use of it in firms. Within the organization, human skills are highly
important and these are type of skills which cannot be learned but it is formed by the experience
and situations face. Millennials are the one who are born between 1980s and early 2000s. In
accordance with corporate leaders, Millennials lack soft and hard skills. At Cyprus, the total
population is 1.17 million. Majority of Millennials have taken the place in business but they lack
many of the skills that are important as a leader. There are many changes that has to be made in
the educational system so that they will be able to make development in the areas. It is difficult
for the business to perform in effective manner, when individuals lack the skills that boost them
to put on their full efforts. The analysis will be made in determining the skills that individual’s
lack who fall under Millennials. To carry out the research there are aim and objectives that are
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developed. This will help to undertake the research systematically and in developing
understanding for the research topic.
1.4 Rational
The main area of study is concerned with the gap that has raised among Millennials who
are not able to perform their set of roles in effective manner. As per the findings, made, there are
certain set of skills which are requirement so that one will be able to carry out the given work
effectively and efficiently. Main cause of issue is raised in educational system as the type of
strategies that are implemented in schools and colleges are not supportive enough to develop the
skills as per the role that has to be played. There are some of the skills that are develop as per the
situation and the problems that are faced. However, there are some of the skills that are
developed in accordance with the work that are given or the requirement is for the job.
Organizations have to spend highly on training and development so that they will be able to
enhance the skills that are required by the employees.
1.5 Aim and Objectives
Main aim of the research is to evaluate Millennials Soft Skills Gap in the 21st Century: A
study on Cyprus. This will help in determining the areas in which develop of skills is required to
perform in the organization. The objectives are divided in to below given objectives:
 To determine the skills that are required by Employers as soft skills within their work
environment.
 To identify the training that are offered by vocational education
(schools/colleges/universities) to students.
 To analyse the gap and provide recommendations to overcome them.
1.6 Research question
 How do employers see the requirements of soft skills within their work environment, and
what are these?
 In overall vocational education (schools/colleges/universities) what is offered as far as
soft skill training are concerned?
 As a result of the above, is there a gap and what is the gap?
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1.7 Focus and purpose
As per the objectives that are set, it can be stated that investigator is focused on making
comparison for the type of educational system that are applied in which they are able to develop
their skills. Further, the type of areas in which employee’s lack due to which they are not able to
perform with their full efficiency. Workers need proper communication skills so that they can
develop strong relationship with others. When the performance and the type of training provided
by vocational education is identified, then the gap can be identified. This way, it will be
favourable enough to understand the set of considerations that has to be made so that gap which
is raised can be reduced. Further, it also covers the type of skills and the training that should be
provided by vocational education so students can learn and develop the skills in effective
manner.
1.8 Dissertation structure
There is a systematic structure that is followed so that the researcher is able to present the
information gathered in effective manner. With this respect, below given are the structure that is
followed to carry the research:
Chapter 1- Introduction: In this chapter, there are proper explanations made for the topic on whc
the research is to be conducted further, the topic of the research is formed into aim and that aim
is divided into objectives so that the research is carried out properly. This chapter enables to
provide adequate information and the way through which research will be conducted.
Chapter 2- Literature Review: There are many research that are conducted by other researchers.
This chapter is highly effective in developing in depth understanding towards research topic.
There are many studies that are conducted in the past and these can be taken as references.
Chapter 3- Research Methodology: Different type of method are used by the author so that
whole investigation can be can be carried. In this context, it includes research philosophy,
approach, data collection, data analysis, etc. The viewer’s get to know that type of research that
is undertaken by the investigator that will help in developing in depth knowledge of the research
topic.
Chapter 4- Data Analysis: From the information that is gathered, it is important to come up with
appropriate outcome for the same. This is possible when they are able to gather the data and to
make use of the suitable method that can make proper evaluation of the information.
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Chapter 5- conclusion and Recommendations: in this chapter, the investigator provide proper
information from the information gathered and concludes each and every objectives and the
findings that are made in each of the chapter. Further, data is used in the literature and data
analysis part and appropriate recommendation is provided so that the gap as per the research can
be reduced.
1.9 Framework and Analysis
There are proper use of methods that are made in which it contains techniques and
approaches that are helpful to conduct the research. With this respect, below given are the
method or the techniques that are followed by the researcher:
Research Approach: There are two different type of approaches which are inductive and
deductive approaches. Among these two, the research has made use of deductive approach. This
approach is used as it made use of appropriate hypothesis testing in order to check the past
findings of the current study.
Research philosophy: There are two type of research philosophies which are positivism
and interpretivism. Among these two the investigator has made use of positivism as this focus on
the objectives that are set. This way, aim of the research are effectively attained.
Research design: It enables to carry out the research from specific to general or general
to specific. The research as made use of descriptive in which the specific information is
determined and then generally the topic is covered.
Research strategy: These are of two type which are qualitative and quantitative. Among
these two, quantitative strategy is used. This way, the subjective concepts of the topic can be
easily analyzed.
Data collection methods: These are of two type which are primary and secondary. In the
research, both these methods are used. Primary is gathered with the help of interview and
secondary from books, journals, articles, online website, etc.
Sampling: It is difficult to gather information from large population. In this context, there
are small amount taken into consideration so that the research objectives can be achieved. More
specifically, there are two set of information that will be gathered. First is from employees
working in bank as HR and others will be from vocational education, below given are the
interview from whom interview will be gathered:
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 1 with the Head of a University Business curriculum,
 2 with the Head of Curriculum of Private Schools and finally 2 with the Head of the Business Curriculum of Colleges.
Data analysis: The data gathered need to be properly evaluated and this is possible when
appropriate method is used. In order to conduct the research and make proper evaluation of the
data, quantitative method will be applied in which thematic is applied as a tool.
1.10 Significance of the research
With the help of this research, firms will be able to identify the main cause due to which
employees are not able to perform their set of roles in effective manner. Further, there are
different type of training that can be provide to employees so that they will be able to enhance
their performance level. On the other hand, from the information gathered from vocational
education, changes can be made so that the rate of performance can be improved among
students. This way, they will be able to develop skills that are highly important in order to work
in the organization. Apart for this, there are gap that can be identified and when this gap is
reduced, the skills which are required can be enhanced to put on full efforts for supporting the
firm in positive manner and to grow.
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CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
This is an important aspect for conducting research. There are many researchers who
have carried out the research in similar topic. This chapter enables to provide in depth understand
for the research topic. There are many changes that has taken place due to which the educational
system is not effective enough to develop skills that will help in performing the job that is to be
carried out in the organization. This chapter is focused on attaining the objectives and developing
knowledge with the help of which the aim set can be properly achieved.
2.2 Soft skills required by employees in work environment
As per ______ employees are the face of organization as they have direct interaction with
customers. They are the one who present the products and services to customers. It is important
for them to have skills that will enable them to perform the set of roles in effective manner. For
each of the post, there are different type of skills that are required. However, there are soft skills
that required employees to possess so they develop strong relationship with the customers and
other employees. This way, it contributes effectively towards the growth and development.
Further, _____ stated that there are objectives set by the business with the help of which
employees are able to develop path on which they can attain them. There are different type of
skills that employees have to develop when they are at their schools or college time. In this
context, below given are the soft skills that employees should possess:
Communication skills: This can be determined to be one of the most important skill that
worker should possess. Employee need to have proper interaction with customers and situations
in which they have to clarify all the doubts that service users have in relation with the products
and services. There are many negative impact over the business when employees lack this type
of skills, then they fail convey the information and the type of interpretation that are made by
them is also negative. Due to the improper communication, it affects the business and sales.
Further, communication is required in order to provide proper information to other workers.
When there is lack of interaction, there are conflict situations that take place. People in modern
world are focused on performing their own work, completing them and returning back home.
According to ______ it is identified that the rate of interaction among employees is low due to
which the performance is negatively affecting. This a type of skills that is develop overtime.
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There are different type of activities that are involved which are highly helpful to improve the
communication skills. However, it is identified that the rate of activities what are to enact are not
being followed. This way, it is identified that the employees lack proper communication skills.
Decision making skills: When individuals have proper knowledge about the topic, then it
becomes favourable enough to understand the situations in effective manner. As per ______ it is
identified that within the organization , there conditions in which immediate steps needs to be
taken so that the situation can be solved. Business performance is not proper when decisions are
not taken immediate. For example, when employees get to identify that service users are facing
any type of issues with respect to product or services, then it is important as an employees to
have proper interaction with customers and get to know the issues that and appropriate steps can
be taken to solve the problem. It is important to understand the situation properly and take
appropriate steps so that one can overcome them. When employees face situation in the modern
world, they are totally dependent on other so that they can overcome the issue. However, there
are many negative impact that business face. With this respect, time is consumed when there are
many people involved. It is important within the organization to be self-dependent so that they
will be able to reduce the time and immediate actions are taken to solve the problem. This is a
type of skills that is develop starting from schooling and college time when people are given
situations and they take up their own stand for themselves.
Self-motivation: According to ______ employees require to be motivation to perform any
type of work. It is important that there are many reasons that are identified due to which workers
get demotivated. In this context, some of the reasons include lack of understanding for the roles
that has to be played, unhealthy environment, etc. It is important for the management to have
proper interaction with customers so that they get to know the issues that are faced by them and
appropriate steps are taken to overcome them. When employees are provided with proper
training, then it encourages to clarify all their doubts and increases the level of self satisfaction.
When employees are able perform any given task without any problem, then it helps in raising
the level of motivation. The rate of motivation increases when individuals get to perform any
type of work and it gets improved. Step by step the motivation raises and the quality of work also
improves. It important for employees to have this skills as it enables to develop confidence and
to be self dependent in any type of work is given that also for the first time. This can only be
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develop when employees get to identify the areas in which they want improvement. When they
get top identify these areas, then it becomes favourable enough to develop self motivation.
Leadership: There are conditions in which employees are able to face situations that
requires to have proper skills related with taking steps with the help of which others are properly
guided and directed. This is the skills not much of the employees possess. This skill enables to
work towards development of the goals and objectives and in supporting the business to grow. It
is identified that some of the leaders are born and there are some work in such a way that they
develop their skills. However, development of skills is only possible when the individual have
the capability to understand and observe the situations are immediate steps are taken. However, it
is identified that the rate leadership that are carried out by employees within the organization are
not effective enough. Employees face issues in order to take up proper steps so they will be able
to support the firm to grow and raise their profitability.
Team working skills: _______ stated that the rate of work which is performed by an
employee will be more when same amount of work is done by group of people. There are many
departments that work together so that they the objectives set by the business can be attained in
effective manner. It is important that employees within the team understand the skills that each
one possess. When employees in the team know each other, then it is favourable enough to
perform the work and contribute towards the growth of the organization. Workers prefer to work
with alone in the business work due to which they fail to attain the goals and in contributing the
firm towards the growth. It is essential that all the employees within the team have proper
interaction so that they will be able understand each other in effective manner.
Each employees have certain set of skills but requires each one to make use of them
together. As per _______ employees fail to work as they lack communication skill. This can be
understood with the help of example. Philipp Schramm who was offered job of chief financial
officer at Webasto Roof Systems in the year 2014. He got to identify that the performance of the
firm is getting reduced. At the initial stage, he thought that the cause of reasons was lack of
training for their roles and responsibilities. However, later he got to know that the main cause of
this decline was lack of soft skills training. Majority of the workers were not able to perform
their job due to lack of soft skills. In this context, Philipp develop training sections in which
employees were focused on developing skills. This was highly beneficial for workers to develop
their behaviour. It boosted them to develop self motivation and they were able to perform their
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set of roles with proper team working. In schools emphasis is made on develop their skills and
understanding towards maths, science, etc. This is the cause due to which people are fail to
develop the skills that are actually required in order to perform the given work in effective
manner.
Time management: As per ______ there are condition in which employees have to
perform many tasks at a time. This becomes difficult for the perform them. In this context, it is
important for the workers to have time management skills so that they will be able to complete
the task within given time and that also quality not getting affected. In accordance with the
research conducted, it is identified that employees lack this skills. They are given work as per
their capability but there are conditions in which due to peak work load, it becomes difficult for
them to complete the given task. In order to work in the organization, time management is an
important soft skills that allows to get time for themselves. When one do not [possess, this skills,
then the rate of demotivation also increases. It is important for the management to work towards
the development and enhancement of this skill. When employees are pressurised and in
conditions when they do not get proper time for themselves, then it changes the behavioural
condition. Millennials are not able to perform their work towards the goals and in managing
time. This way, employees always feel pressurised and they develop negative perception within
their mind for work. This also results in increase in employee’s turnover rate.
Problem solving: It is important to take immediate steps so that one will be able to make
sure that the business operations are enacted in effective manner. There are different type of
conditions that arise in which it is essential that proper steps are taken so that it can be solved. It
requires for the worker to have knowledge and understanding of the situation and presence of
mind so that they are able to solve the issue. Management need to develop the skills and this is
possible when they are given with practical situation in which they have to make use of their
skills so that they are able to overcome the problems in effective manner.
Creativity: According to ______ there are different type of organizations that deliver their
customers with similar set of products and service. This way, customers get wider options to
purchases goods. Customers prefer to make use of the goods that are able to satisfy their
requirements. In this context, it is important for the employees to have skills that encourage them
in order to make changes in the products and services. The requirement and needs of customer’s
changes frequently, it becomes difficult for the business to adopt changes so that they will be
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able to develop strong customer base. It is essential that management provide workers with the
opportunity to share their view and this way, it is favourable enough to raise the performance
level.
Firms are slowly understanding the importance of providing training for soft skills. For
the management to attain their goals. It is essential for the business to make sure that they work
towards the goals and objectives and identify the areas in which employees. It requires to have
proper analysis and monitoring done so that the training and development can be provided.
According to ______ training and development is highly beneficial to know the requirements of
the business and to take up appropriate steps so that they can perform their business with full
efficiency. As stated above, there are different type of skills that are included in the soft skills
and these are highly important to be considered by the business and management should be
support them so that they can develop their areas. There are condition identified in which all the
employees may not be lacking all these skills but it is identified that majority of the individuals
do lack leadership skills. Step by step process need to be followed so that each of the employees
are able to develop these areas. When all these skills are enhanced or developed, then it enables
to contribute towards the growth of the firm and its profitability. When employees fail to perform
with their full efficiency, then it requires to have issues in regard with the self development and
the rate of motivational factors that boost an individuals to perform with their full efficiency. It
requires to have proper monitoring and analysis made by then management so that workers are
able to develop their skills and capabilities.
2.3 Training that are offered by vocational education
According to ______ vocational training is determined to be the training and education
that is provided to improve the skills at work. There are four different type of objectives that are
focused so that vocational education and training can be provided. In this context, objectives are
as follows:
 In conditions when workforce is joined for the first time.
 For the purpose of re-joining the work force after a break.
 Enhancing the skills for the chosen field.
 For moving at different career.
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