Young adults are 25% of our learners

Young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 constitute about 25% of our total enrollment statewide. See NRS Table 2 for Virginia, 2023-24.

*Visit this page often for updates as we learn more!

Who are they?

Opportunity Youth

Opportunity youth are “individuals aged 16 – 24 who are not employed or pursuing education, representing a missed opportunity for society and the economy” (CUMU, April 2025).

GenZ

“Keep in mind that the lives of today’s young adults are entrenched in the internet, and technology is viewed as an extension of themselves” (Brooks, K, & McCune, A. 2017, Engaging with Young Adults: An analysis of strategies and techniques, USDA.)

Adults 16 – 24 are part of GenZ.

While research on educational approaches for this generation, specifically, are limited, there are a number of factors to consider for this group specifically (see this study for more details):

• They are tech-savvy digital natives with increasing reliance on digital communication technologies.
• They generally prefer learning through visual, video, and action-oriented learning modes.
• They are autonomous self-directed individuals.
• They are collaborative and team-oriented, but may benefit from guidance for in-person interactions.
• They are visually oriented and attention-driven (accustomed to consuming information visually and may have shorter attention spans for traditional reading or lecture-based educational tasks)
• They value real-world application and problem-solving.
• They are a culturally diverse generation.

Most individuals who are part of GenZ have experienced some form of interrupted education due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as economic shifts and social movements. They have also experienced rapid advanced in communication and information technology that both connects them to a global perspective while also impacting social development and individual behaviors (Profile of generation Z characteristics: Implications for contemporary educational approaches, 2024).