The Proven ROI of Untapped Talent: How Global Employers Are Solving Skills Gaps While Driving Economic Mobility
In a world where 375 million workers need to learn new skills by 2030, what if the most powerful solution isn’t finding talent —but recognizing it?
Global workforce development solutions are crucial as employers worldwide struggle to fill critical roles daily. Traditional workforce development approaches fall short.
What if the solution lies in reimagining how we connect talent with opportunity? The evidence suggests it does.
Global data reveals an encouraging truth: employers discover exceptional performers who transform their businesses when they tap into overlooked talent pools. These employees demonstrate remarkable retention rates, with 79% hired by repeat employers who recognize their value. Even more compelling, 94% of these employees perform at or above their peers’ level. This success isn’t coincidental—it’s the result of innovative approaches that match motivated individuals with meaningful career opportunities.
The impact extends far beyond individual placements. When organizations invest in untapped talent, they create a powerful ripple effect: businesses solve their immediate talent challenges while simultaneously driving economic mobility for individuals and communities. This dual benefit creates sustainable value for all stakeholders involved.
The Global Skills Gap Reality
While employers invest heavily in recruitment, the results remain disappointing—only one-third extensively address skills gaps, and over 50% struggle to see returns on their training investments. This disconnect between investment and outcome signals a fundamental flaw in conventional hiring practices.
Current market data reveals critical challenges across sectors:
- Technology: Rapid digital transformation creates constant demand for new capabilities, with emerging technologies outpacing traditional training methods
- Healthcare: Extended vacancy periods affect patient care and operational efficiency, creating a cascading effect on service delivery and staff burnout
- Green jobs: The transition to sustainable practices requires workers with specialized skills, yet traditional education systems haven’t caught up with this growing demand
Recent Generation research across Europe and the US reveals a stark reality:
- 40% of employers say a skills shortage is the problem
- 75 million young people are unemployed
- Unemployment is a pervasive global challenge affecting 200 million people
The real issue? Most organizations continue using outdated hiring models despite clear evidence they no longer serve modern business needs. Traditional hiring models create artificial barriers that exclude qualified candidates and perpetuate skills gaps:
- Over-reliance on degree requirements for roles where skills matter more
- Bias against employment gaps despite valid reasons for career transitions
- Limited recognition of transferable skills from other industries
- Outdated assessment methods that fail to evaluate true capabilities
- Rigid experience requirements that overlook potential and adaptability
- Geographic limitations that ignore remote work possibilities
These metrics demonstrate a crucial truth: when organizations invest in untapped talent pools, they discover motivated employees ready to contribute from day one. The challenge isn’t a lack of talent—it’s finding and developing it.
Workforce Development: The Business Case
The data proves what forward-thinking employers already know: skill development programs for employers deliver measurable results. But beyond the immediate metrics, these programs create lasting value through reduced turnover, increased productivity, and stronger organizational culture.
Generation’s employer partnerships reveal compelling ROI metrics that demonstrate the power of our approach:
- 94% of employers report graduates perform at or above peer level
- 87% commit to hiring Generation graduates again
- 79% of graduates are hired by repeat employers
- 89% work in roles directly aligned with their training
These outcomes represent a fundamental shift in how successful organizations approach talent acquisition and development. The success stems from our comprehensive seven-component methodology, which transforms traditional hiring approaches:
- Direct employer engagement from day one ensures alignment with business needs
- Recruitment based on intrinsic motivation and effort, not just credentials
- Integrated technical and behavioral skills training
- Structured employer interviews
- Ongoing mentorship support
- ROI measurement across stakeholders
- Data-driven program refinement (48+ million data points and counting)
When employers partner with us, they reduce hiring costs while gaining motivated employees who stay. The financial impact is significant—graduates earn 3-4 times their previous income on average, creating a positive cycle of economic growth that benefits both the organization and the broader community.
Global Employment Programs Success: Measurable Impact
Our global employment programs demonstrate how innovative solutions create lasting change at scale. With 139,000+ graduates across 17 countries, the workforce development ROI extends beyond immediate placement to create lasting economic impact:
- 432,000+ family members indirectly supported
- $1.9 billion in cumulative graduate wages earned
- 21,000+ employer partnerships
- 49 professions spanning technology, healthcare, and green jobs
But beyond these impressive numbers lies a deeper story of sustainable economic mobility and career transformation. Indeed 76% of graduates maintain employment two to five years after program completion, and 95% of graduates in upper-middle-income countries earn above the living wage. Additionally, 74% report improved financial situations post-program, and 89% work in roles directly aligned with their training.
This remarkable success stems from a comprehensive approach to workforce development. Generation doesn’t just place candidates—it creates sustainable career pathways through early employer engagement to ensure training aligns with market needs, comprehensive support systems addressing both technical and soft skills, data-driven program refinement based on real outcomes, and ongoing mentorship extending beyond initial placement.
The result is a powerful multiplier effect that benefits both employers and communities. When organizations hire one Generation graduate, they often return to hire more, with 79% of graduates placed with repeat employers. This creates a virtuous cycle of opportunity where employers gain reliable talent pipelines, communities see increased economic activity, individuals achieve sustainable career growth, and families benefit from improved financial stability. These outcomes demonstrate how innovative workforce development approaches can simultaneously address business needs while creating lasting social impact.
Transform Your Workforce, Transform Lives
You’ve seen the data. You understand the potential. Through proven workforce development solutions, organizations like yours are transforming their talent acquisition while driving economic mobility.
Our skill development programs, designed in partnership with employers, consistently deliver exceptional results—94% of employers report graduates perform at or above peer level, and 79% return to hire more graduates. These outcomes demonstrate a fundamental truth: when organizations collaborate to develop talent from untapped pools, they don’t just fill positions—they build stronger, more resilient workforces. Our graduates bring fresh perspectives and innovative thinking, strong motivation and commitment, proven technical and behavioral skills, demonstrated ability to learn and adapt, and long-term retention and career growth potential.
Your next exceptional employee awaits. Your next business breakthrough lies in talent others overlook. By partnering with Generation, you can access pre-vetted, skilled talent ready to contribute from day one, reduce hiring and training costs, improve retention rates, and create measurable social impact.
Ready to solve your hiring challenges while driving economic mobility? Join the growing network of forward-thinking employers discovering the power of untapped talent.
