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Less than one in 10 managers think young people are ready for work
CMI says 61% of managers see young workers as lacking key workplace skills, while 89% of trained managers say training improves development.
On Wednesday, July 8, 2026, the Chartered Management Institute released a report revealing a sharp perception gap: while 45% of young workers feel job-ready, just 6% of managers agree.
Previous CMI research found 82% of managers are "accidental managers" lacking formal training, while 61% of managers believe younger workers lack resilience, communication skills, and the ability to accept feedback.
When failing to progress, managers cite a lack of motivation in 40% of cases and poor resilience in 38%, with 91% of leaders claiming this gap negatively impacts overall workforce performance.
Almost 78% of young employees believe their education focused too heavily on theory, while 64% want leadership roles and 83% say formal mentorship would significantly boost their confidence.
Ann Francke OBE, Chief Executive of the CMI, urged employers to stop treating workplace readiness as "somebody else's problem," calling for collaborative action to train managers and support young talent.