Though young people grow up online, they do not possess the required digital skills to secure jobs in the modern workforce, according to research, which led to the creation of a new Accenture chatbot to bridge the gap.

Accenture's Digital Index report showed that, among other things, those aged between 18 and 34 years rank consistently lower than their counterparts in the 35-44 age group when it comes to using websites to search for jobs, creating and editing documents or updating their CV. 

Accenture says that GApp, its solution to the problem, is “a first-of-its-kind CV builder chatbot, powered by Artificial Intelligence”. The chatbot helps users to increase their digital skills with functionalities such as creating a digital CV on their phone, watching technology tutorials and finding out more about areas such as AI and blockchain. 

Users can also access digital training through a number of Accenture’s community partners or apply for jobs there. The chatbot went live in May and to date has had more than 7,200 user visits with c.3,000 interactions. Reflecting the findings in Accenture’s Digital Index, 75% of users admit they don’t possess strong digital skills. 

Accenture’s Jen Speirs said:  “While Millennials and Gen Zs are driving the transition to a digital society, their relationship with digital is not without its challenges, which became clear from our research.

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“The younger cohort of our society, while finding themselves confident when it comes to online and social media, lack some of the more important basic digital skills, that are necessary for enhancing their employability, such as creating documents, including CVs.

“We saw the need to help bridge this gap and launched our chatbot to support those who do want to upskill by giving them the tools to succeed in a digital workplace.” 

The digital index report showed:

• A quarter of respondents are not comfortable creating and editing documents 
• 28% are struggling to update CVs and use websites for job searches 
• 54% of 18–34-year-olds vs 60% of the 35-44 age group are completely comfortable with using websites to search for jobs, creating and editing documents 
• More than a third of people (35%) don’t see a need to improve their digital skills 
• 24% say there is nothing that would motivate them to get better 
• 30% say the biggest barrier to expanding their digital skills is time. 

Country manager Alastair Blair commented: “While our recent research revealed that many of our younger generation consider themselves digitally savvy, the launch of our chatbot is already revealing that there is some way to go with 75% of chatbot users saying they don’t have strong digital skills. 

“Our young people need to be provided with the tools to upskill if they are not to miss out on future jobs. We hope to help them achieve their full potential by continuing to offer supports and helping to bridge the gap.” 

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