1 in 7 Employers Hesitant to Hire Recent College Grads: PMI Empowers Generation Z for Workforce Success at The National STEM Festival

PMI Educational FoundationPhiladelphia, PA

Project Management Institute Educational Foundation (PMIEF), the philanthropic arm of Project Management Institute (PMI), will collaborate with partners Destination Imagination and The Henry Ford Foundation, at The National STEM Festival presented by EXPLR this week in Washington, D.C. Together, they will highlight how project management skills are crucial in solving complex challenges, driving innovation, and preparing Generation Z to succeed in the workforce.

A recent survey by Intelligent.com revealed that many Generation Z workers lack key soft skills like adaptability and communication—competencies essential for effective project management. In fact, 1 in 7 employers are hesitant to hire recent graduates due to these gaps. Additionally, a PwC study found that 97% of business leaders agree project management is critical to organizational success. As demand for project management skills continues to rise across industries, PMI is committed to bridging this skills gap and equipping Generation Z with the tools to succeed in high-demand career paths.

The National STEM Festival presented by EXPLR recognizes the extraordinary achievements of students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The event provides a unique opportunity for over 100 student innovators from 48 states to showcase their groundbreaking projects and discoveries that address global challenges to a distinguished audience of C-level executives, scientists, inventors, federal agencies, and corporate and philanthropic organizations.

As a strategic partner at the event, PMIEF will lead two dynamic activations that highlight the essential role of project management in workforce success. These sessions will focus on the powerful intersection of STEM and project management, demonstrating how these skills can drive positive change and innovation. The activations include:

Lunch and Learn: Empowering Students to Solve Global Ecological Challenges
This session will introduce students to the foundational role of project management in STEM and its application to addressing global challenges. Students will then engage in an interactive activity focused on an ecological challenge related to UN Sustainable Development Goal #14: Life Below Water. Throughout the session, they will explore how collaboration, creativity, and project management skills—such as adaptability and communication—are essential in solving these challenges. The session will be hosted in collaboration with Destination Imagination and The Henry Ford Foundation, with participation from Andrew Whitmire, PMP, PMIEF Manager, and Karla Eidem, PMP, PMI-PMOCP, PMI Regional Director for North America.

Office Hours with The National STEM Festival Co-Founders & Industry Experts
Event co-founders Kari Byron, also the former host of MythBusters, and Jenny Buccos, who PMI celebrated for the event’s impact in 2024, will lead two interactive office hours sessions. Students can engage directly with industry experts, ask questions, and learn the skills needed to thrive in exciting STEM careers. These sessions, featuring representatives from PMI, are a valuable opportunity to explore career possibilities.
 
“Project management, one of today’s most in-demand skills, fuels STEM-related projects,” said Jenny Buccos, Founder & CEO of EXPLR and Co-Founder of The National STEM Festival. “We are thrilled to have PMIEF’s support in helping students learn key project management concepts and soft skills essential for success in the STEM profession, or any industry.”

“At PMIEF, we are committed to empowering today’s youth to become tomorrow’s leaders in maximizing project success,” said Andrew Whitmire, PMP, Manager at PMIEF. “Through initiatives like The National STEM Festival, we aim to bridge the skills gap by introducing Generation Z to essential project management skills, equipping them with the tools they need to excel in today’s rapidly evolving workforce.” 

To learn more about PMIEF and our initiatives to support today’s youth in workforce development, please visit https://www.pmi.org/pmi-educational-foundation/. 

About The Henry Ford
The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan, is an internationally recognized cultural destination that brings the past forward by immersing visitors in the stories of ingenuity, resourcefulness and innovation that helped shape America. A National Historic Landmark with an unparalleled collection of artifacts from 300 years of American history, The Henry Ford is a force for sparking curiosity and inspiring tomorrow’s innovators. More than 1.7 million visitors annually experience its venues: Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Greenfield Village, Ford Rouge Factory Tour, Giant Screen Theater and the Benson Ford Research Center. A continually expanding array of content available online provides anytime, anywhere access to The Henry Ford Archive of American Innovation. inHub is The Henry Ford’s learning community that aims to activate innovative mindsets in educators and students across the globe. inHub provides educators with tools they can use to help students develop the skills and competencies they’ll need to succeed. inHub provides educators with streamlined access to all of the in-person and virtual learning resources The Henry Ford offers, including curricula, professional development, field trips, digital classroom resources, competitions and experiences.

In 2018, The Henry Ford’s inHub advanced its role as a catalyst for change in education with acquisition of The STEMIE Coalition, a growing affiliation of organizations dedicated to fostering innovation, invention and entrepreneurship at the K-12 level. Now known as The Henry Ford's Invention Convention Worldwide program, this mission continues to flourish as we partner with our growing base of national and international affiliates that bring this program to communities across the country and globe and showcase amazing young inventors at competition events like Invention Convention U.S. Nationals. The Henry Ford is an independent, 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. We depend on ticket purchases, income from our gift shops and restaurants, and tax-deductible contributions and memberships for support.

About Destination Imagination
Destination Imagination, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose purpose is to inspire and equip students to become the next generation of innovators and leaders. The Destination Imagination global community is united by a core belief that when students have the freedom to grow and collaborate without boundaries, their confidence explodes and the world opens up to them in new ways. We enable this transformation by providing challenges rooted in STEAM subjects that inspire unique solutions through the use of the creative process. The Destination Imagination community believes that every child deserves the opportunity to tell their story, share their unique creations, and be celebrated for what they’ve accomplished. Through witnessing this process of creative self-expression and validation, students blossom into more confident and knowledgeable individuals. Destination Imagination is a leader in project-based learning experiences, where students work together in teams to solve open-ended STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) and service learning Challenges and then present their solutions to an audience. Destination Imagination has impacted more than one million students. To learn more, please visit http://destinationimagination.org.


About PMIEF
The Project Management Institute Educational Foundation (PMIEF) is a nonprofit organization that seeks to inspire and empower people to realize their potential and transform lives through project management. PMIEF provides grants, scholarships, and educational resources to support the development of project management skills among youth and underserved communities. Learn more about PMIEF.

PMI Trademarks
Project Management Institute and PMI are trademarks and/or registered marks of Project Management Institute, Inc., in the U.S. and/or in other countries. All other trademarks herein are the property of their respective owners. 

Media contact

MaryKate Dougherty

External Communications Specialist

[email protected]

About PMI

PMI is the leading authority in project management, dedicated to guiding the way to project success. Since 1969, PMI has shone a light on the power of project management and the people behind the projects. With a global community, gold-standard professional certifications, and career-long learning opportunities, PMI empowers current and aspiring project professionals, as well as organizations, with knowledge and resources to lead effectively and create an impact in the communities they serve. Join PMI in elevating our world – one project at a time. Connect with us at www.pmi.org, linkedin.com/company/projectmanagementinstitute, on Instagram @pmi_org, and on TikTok @PMInstitute.