If your organization is striving to attract one of the most technology-savvy groups of candidates in the job market, then making a plan to recruit Generation Y employees should be a part of your strategy. Generation Y, also known as the “Millennials” is the group of mid-20 to 30-something candidates who were born around the boom of the Internet and the gaming industry. These candidates are highly-skilled with many areas of science and technology, and generally possess above-average creative ability. These are the folks you want on your team to take your company into the future.

While your organization hires all age groups and backgrounds in terms of recruiting, it is beneficial to consider how Generation Y can add long-term value to your company. It’s always a good thing to mix young and mature employees, with Generation Y being a vital part of succession planning. However, Generation Y’ers can be difficult to attract and retain because they are looking for entirely different things than other candidates. Many are seeking exciting projects to work on, fun work environments, rapid career advancement, and recognition for their efforts.

Read on for some helpful advice on attracting and retaining the best Generation Y employees.

Develop a casual and fun work environment.  One major component of being able to attract and retain a young workforce is a fun and casual work environment. Set up a modern work place with areas to work and play. Include recreational spaces, gaming and television areas, and casual break areas so that employees can feel at home. Allow a looser dress code to encourage employees to focus on work not fashion. Hold frequent company events and activities that include music, food, and entertainment.

Offer on-the-job learning opportunities. Many Generation Y employees are either fresh out of colleges or internships, looking for additional ways to enhance their knowledge. Create mentoring, training and educational programs using the latest education technology – like video classes and virtual workshops. This can provide many additional benefits to employees who lack work experience, and can be very appealing to youthful candidates.

Encourage and respect the individual.  Generation Y is perhaps one of the most concerned groups in terms of wanting to be valued and respected for individuality. Make it a priority to respect all employees regardless of experience or background. Work with your other employees to make sure Generation Y’ers have equal say on projects and company goals.

Develop a wide-range of incentives. While you may think your company benefit and compensation program is the best out there, for Generation Y employees it may not be enough. For younger workers, having access to such perks as free meals, community event tickets, and rent subsidies can be significant. Take the time to offer many different choices in benefit plans to work well for all employees.

Make teamwork a priority. Instead of stuffy offices with meetings behind closed doors and employees stuffed into cubicles, create a collaborative and open work environment. Generation Y workers like to feel as if they are an important part of the bigger picture, so make sure they know this. Develop effective teams and encourage all to share ideas.

To attract Generation Y employees, hold job fairs at local colleges, post jobs on social media sites, place advertisements in college and community entertainment classifieds, and encourage employee referrals from your current staff. Or work directly through a quality staffing agency, like Davis Staffing, for temporary and contract workers in Chicago Southland and Northwest Indiana.