The talent gap is often described as a mismatch between skills and employer needs. But as this Forbes article points out, it starts much earlier, with confidence.
Children begin ruling out careers long before they understand them. By age seven, many have already decided which paths are “for people like me” and which aren’t. It’s not a lack of ability that limits them, but a lack of belief.
This early confidence gap has long-term consequences for how we think about talent. The foundation of employability isn’t built at university or in the workplace—it begins with early exposure, role models and encouragement.
As a father of three young daughters, this resonates deeply with me. I try, in small ways, to help them see that their opportunities aren’t limited by perception. Confidence grows when children see people who look like them doing things they once thought were out of reach.
In HR, we often focus on upskilling and lifelong learning. But perhaps the first step toward closing the talent gap is helping the next generation believe they belong in the future of work.
#FutureOfWork #TalentDevelopment #Education #PeopleStrategy