This training is presented by The Professional Youth Worker. It's our mission to help you and your team build your skills and boost your passion for serving young people. Join us!
The Gens: Bridging Builds Strong Teams

- Live Online Training
- Thursday, June 29, 2023
- 10:30 am to noon Central Time
- FREE for YIPA members
- $30 for non-YIPA members
- Not a member? Annual membership is ridiculously affordable. Join now or learn more.
Your Training Description
Today’s workplaces often have as many as five different generations represented in their teams. That generational diversity should be a major advantage but without intentional effort to build bridges between them, teams rarely achieve their best potential. Each generation differs in their defining values, work styles, communication skills, and priorities. Without intentional efforts to bridge those differences, organizations are missing opportunities to increase engagement, satisfaction, productivity, and program outcomes.
Youth work cannot be separated from the youth workers themselves. Each individual you work with adds unique value to your program and your organization. Investing time to learn about your generational differences benefits everyone. Learning to recognize, honor, and appreciate those differences will make you a better youth worker.
This training will offer insight about each generation at work. You’ll learn how to communicate more effectively and with better communication strategies, your workplace will be more engaging. Explore how you can bridge generational differences to build a stronger team and improve your program outcomes.
Your Learning Objectives
- Gain a general understanding of the demographics of Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z
- Explore the defining values that shape each generation
- Recognize invisible tensions of generational differences in the workplace
- Consider how to bridge differences and find opportunities to maximize shared values
- Learn about the impact of the five generations on workforce development
Your Trainer

Michelle Nelson has over 25 years of experience leading, managing, and training professionals in the human service industry. In addition to her leadership skills, she is well-versed in team, program, and organizational development to include strategic planning. She is a certified trainer for the Crisis Prevention Institute, The National Council for Behavioral Health, Thera International Rising, and ACES interface. She has delivered numerous trainings at local, state, and national conferences. Michelle also provides consultation services for several private and public businesses. Michelle’s education includes a Masters in Management, Bachelors in Criminology/Sociology and a certificate in Leadership and Change.
Your Competency Focus Area

Each of YIPA’s trainings are designed around a broad framework of eight youth work competencies. The competency focus of this training is: THE FIELD OF YOUTH WORK.
Expand your professional acumen to understand the reach and importance of your role, serve as an effective advocate for youth, and pursue ongoing professional development.
Your Training Details
- Live Online Training
- Thursday, June 29, 2023
- 10:30 am to noon Central Time
- FREE for YIPA members
- $30 for non-YIPA members
- Not a member? Annual membership is ridiculously affordable. Join now or learn more.
This training will count as 1.5 CE hours for most boards. Please contact your board directly with questions on submitting. You are encouraged to print or save this training information as a PDF for your records.