BRIDGING THE GAP: USING TECHNOLOGY TO CAPTURE THE OLD

& ENCOURAGE THE NEW

Copyright Material IEEE
Paper No. ESW-27

Joe Barrios Katie Scarlett Reyes

Member, IEEE Member, IEEE
Tony Demaria Electric, Inc. Tony Demaria Electric, Inc.
131 West F Street 131 West F Street
Wilmington, CA 90744 Wilmington, CA 90744
USA USA
Joe@tdeinc.com Katie@tdeinc.com

Abstract - For the first time in history, our workforce has four
generations working together simultaneously, each with their
unique method of learning, communication, and relationship
to safety. Many of our top safety advocates are close to
retiring. Once they have left the workforce, it will be the
responsibility of the next generations to see that safety
continues to move forward. Facilitating a smooth transition
may lie in the application and utilization of technology.
Discovering a good blend of current and emerging technology
and training methods, coupled with more human interaction,
can lead to the development of a safety program that can
effectively target each generation. The future of safety lies in
our ability to avoid alienating the older generations with the
overuse of technology, yet use it sufficiently to keep the
younger generations interested. We must use technology to
unite, capture and involve the experience of old and transform
it into a medium that will encourage the new.
This paper will shed light on the growing generational
gaps; the emerging issues inherently tied to this growth; and
discuss the potential application of current and emerging
technologies that can help bridge a gap between generations
that technology has created in the last few decades.
Index Terms - Technology, generational gaps, Traditionalist,
Baby Boomer, Generation X, Generation Y, latchkey kids,
social interaction, and communication.
I. INTRODUCTION
“Once a new technology rolls over you, if you’re not part of
the steamroller, you’re part of the road” – Stewart Brand
The technology that was available during the youth of each
generation has shaped the way each generation is able to
learn, communicate, and develop a relationship with safety.
Today, technological advances are produced at a rate that is
near impossible to follow. Couple that rate with a workforce
whose technological skills can vary from “technologically
inept” to “tech-savvy”, and you are left with a common
problem faced by most organizations. How do we become
part of the steamroller, successfully integrating technology
that can efficiently utilize, unite and stimulate each generation
in the workforce? A common mistake made by most is the
thought that this process is as simple as the installation of the
technology itself. We tend to overlook the impact technology
will have within our workforce, how it can divide rather than
unite, how it can discourage rather than encourage. Before
we can successfully avoid becoming the road, we must delve
deeper to gain a greater understanding of ourselves, the
generational traits that define us, the methods of teaching that
can stimulate us, and the forms of communication that can
reach us.
It was technology that created these differences among us,
and it is only fitting if technology can become the bridge that
can unite us.
II. GENERATIONS AND THEIR DIFFERENCES
A. General Attributes of Each Generation
Traditionalists (1925-1945) are described as custodians
of irreplaceable knowledge, relationships and cultural lore.
They are methodical, self-sacrificing, hard-working, dedicated,
stable, detail-oriented, team players, respectful towards
authority, and loyal to both country and employer.
Baby Boomers (1946-1964) are described as optimistic,
committed, independent, team oriented, argumentative, “live
to work”, service oriented, and driven. They are often very
knowledgeable and efficient. They value personal growth and
gratification. They are motivated by personal impact, gaining
status through achievements, and building their retirement
accounts. Baby Boomers are not naturally budget minded
and can be self-centered.
Generation X (1965-1980) is described as self-reliant,
adaptable, technology-literate, pragmatic, practical, and
creative. They “work to live”, have an intense yet balanced
work ethic, are unintimidated by authority, and accept
diversity. They are motivated by economic security, improving
their lifestyle, and realizing their creative and entrepreneurial
vison. They are often referred to as latchkey kids.
Generation Y (1981-2000), also known as Millennials,
are described as technologically savvy, optimistic, and
tenacious. They exude a heroic spirit, they “live then work”,
and are socially responsible. They prefer a lack of personal

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interaction in business interactions and often hold a sense of
entitlement. They are motivated by being able to make a
social impact, satisfying high expectations, learning and
personal development. They want to maintain their personal
lives through flexible work schedules. [1-5]
B. Preferred Learning Styles
Traditionalists prefer a traditional classroom setting that
heavily utilizes lectures. They did not grow up with access to
technology within the classroom. They relied on the library,
personal experience, and job experience as their source of
learning. Most of the knowledge they attained while working
was passed down by a mentor or family member. They want
a structured environment where they are told what to learn.
They utilize note-taking methods to capture information.
Informational learning is often the best term to describe the
style of learning associated with traditionalists.
Baby Boomers also prefer a traditional classroom setting
that extends to additional learning in the form of classroom
participation. They prefer a class that utilizes discussions,
simulations, case studies or problem solving exercises.
Boomers like to share their experiences and seek value in the
material they are learning. Transformational learning is the
best term to describe the style of learning with Baby Boomers.
Generation X seeks a classroom setting that provides them
with continuous feedback to validate what they are doing.
They prefer a casual, relaxed, and comfortable environment.
Because they are more technologically literate, they are
receptive to the use of technology and media in learning.
They seek practical information and skills that they can apply
immediately. They like the incorporation of team work, hands-
on activities, and small group discussions that allow them to
share and receive ideas within the group/classroom. A self-
directed or self-paced learning style is what would best
describe the learning style of Generation X.
With Generation Y, they prefer learning to take place within
a media-centered environment. They prefer the integration of
technology in the form of webinars, social networking, and
multiple forms of multimedia. They prefer to learn through
discovery rather than being told. They also have short
attention spans that require frequent breaks and the
information to be given in short bursts. They like the
integration of physical activities and the utilization of mobile
devices/tablets/laptops. Their learning style is referred to as
informal or incidental learning. [1-5]
C. How They Communicate and Utilize Technology
Traditionalists prefer personal, face to face contact when
they communicate with coworkers and customers. They
prefer to build real relationships, especially with their
organizations’ clients. Although they are open to using
technology to communicate, such as email and mobile
devices, they still prefer personal contact. If they do take the
time to learn how to use a technology, it is usually to express
their talents and insights.
A Baby Boomer’s primary tool used for communication was
the telephone. They have learned to efficiently use email as a
source of communication as well as mobile devices, with even
some utilizing text messaging. Their style of communication
can often be indirect, euphemistic, self-consciously inclusive,
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and politically correct. They view technology as an instrument
to improve personal productivity.
Generation X was the first generation to predominantly use
technology to communicate. Their primary source of
communication within the workplace is by way of email. They
utilize mobile devices, laptops, and tablets to review email,
create their own documents and use the internet for
researching information. Because they are more
technologically capable, more and more are beginning to
exploit text messaging, instant messaging, and video
messaging. They do still make phone calls, so they are more
versatile in how they communicate. Their communication
style can be described as informal and sometimes abrupt.
Generation Y chooses to communicate through text
messaging, instant messaging, video messaging, social
networking sites, email, blogs, and wikis. They view
technology as the default method of thinking and working.
Because of the methods of communication they use, they
want quick, immediate responses. The content of
communication is less important than the act of
communicating. They utilize tablets, mobile devices, laptops,
desktops, tablets, and just about every device out in the
market. They are by far the most technologically advanced of
the four generations.
[1-5]
III. TECHNOLOGY: DIVIDES RATHER THAN UNITES
A. Communication Breakdown
“We have more media than ever and more technology in
our lives. It's supposed to help us communicate, but it has the
opposite effect of isolating us.” – Tracy Chapman
As you review the methods of communication for each
generation you begin to see a pattern. As technology
advances it ultimately alters the way we communicate.
Throughout most of our history, technological shifts have
happened gradually and without much perceptible cultural
disruption [6]. With the development of new technologies,
although it has given us the ability to communicate with
anyone in the world instantly, it has all but eliminated what is
perhaps the most beneficial aspect of communicating; social
interaction. It is through social interaction that we build real
relationships with people, we gain respect for people, we build
trust, and we begin to understand them. If you put technology
to one side, the human dimension will always prevail, purely
because we understand more when a person connects,
delivers, interacts and raises a point of view [7]. In order to
build a relationship with a person it takes time and effort.
When you look at the styles of communication from
generation to generation you see the shift from personal
contact, to contact by telephone, to contact by email, and
now, contact through text messaging. There is a decrease in
the amount of effort and time one expends to communicate
with another person. Also, simultaneously, you are able to
see a shift in the attitude towards working with fellow
coworkers. Traditionalists are team players, Baby Boomers
are team-oriented, Generation X is self-reliant, and
Generation Y is independent. Because of technology, the
shift to a more impersonal form of communication has
brought forth more isolation within the workplace. It is hard
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enough for a Traditionalist to have a conversation with a
Millennial just based on cultural differences and personal
interests alone. When you consider how each prefers to
communicate, they are practically communicating with one
another in their own language.
B. Poor Communication = Missed Learning Opportunity
“Technology is so much fun but we can drown in our
technology. The fog of information can drive out knowledge.”
– Daniel J. Boorstin
The greatest casualty resulting from the lack of
communication between generations is the exchange of
personal experiences and invaluable knowledge. As the
remaining Traditionalists retire, and Baby Boomers slowly
start to leave the work place, the amount of knowledge they
take with them is immeasurable.
Each generation is a representation of the technology and
information available to them as they grew up. We have gone
from the age where knowledge was transferred from mentor
to apprentice, to an age where the perception is knowledge
can be downloaded in an instant. Older workers have built up
lifetimes of experience, insights, and relationships that
enhance the performance of their organization in ways great
and small. When this knowledge is lost, it can often be
relearned only at a great price [1]. In regards to electrical
safety, that price can be someone’s life. These older
generations aren’t just great work mentors but great life
mentors. Asking them a question is just as easy as entering
what you are looking for in the Google search bar. The
difference is that with an older worker, there are stories and
experiences behind the acquisition of each piece of
knowledge. They can be stories of pain, joy, hardships,
enlightenment, and great loss. Often times it is in those tales
where the real learning is done.
C. You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet
Researchers theorize that the ever-accelerating pace of
technological change may be minting a series of mini-
generation gaps, with each group of children uniquely
influenced by the tech tools available in their formative stages
of development. So much of the human experience is tied up
in transient things that even kids two years apart will have
grown up in a completely different media environment [6].
The existing generations have a gap of around 20 years. If
mini-generations are indeed the result of exponential
technological growth, then one generation every 20 years
becomes 10 generations in the same time span. The thought
alone of a workforce consisting of 10 generations is
unfathomable. How can you effectively create, manage, and
maintain a training program tailored to meet the needs of 10
generations? If we aren’t careful then we will end up part of
the road sooner rather than later.
IV. WHY AND HOW THE BATTLE MUST BE WON
Electrical safety has grown immensely in the last 40 years
due in large part to the passion and will of our current
workforce. Many of our standards and policies are etched in
blood, the results of unfortunate and unnecessary events.
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The future of electrical safety does not fully hinge on the
evolution of technology, but rather how we choose to create
and utilize technology. Technology is not the answer, but it is
indeed part of the solution.
A. Can You Hear Me Now?
How many times have we seen an accident happen as the
result of a breakdown in communication? What we say is just
as important as how we listen. Great communication
between two individuals has its benefits. Effective
communication helps us better understand a person or
situation and enables us to resolve differences, build trust and
respect, and create environments where creative ideas,
problem solving, affection, and caring can flourish. [8]. How
we choose to communicate is not as important as why.
There is no right or wrong way to communicate. In this
case, the effort we put into communicating is more important
because we must learn to effectively communicate with each
generation. Each generation transmits and receives
information differently and we have to be able to structure
what we want to say to meet their needs. We are going to
have to take the time to learn each style of communication. If
you’re a Traditionalist, you should take the time to learn how
to text or instant message. A Traditionalist might discover
that there is a benefit to constant communication in short
bursts as opposed to waiting all at once in certain situations.
A Millennial should learn that sometimes if you want to get
your message across you must do so in person, face to face.
The greatest communicators in the world are able to adapt
and reach people of different ages, interests, and ethnicities.
Their success is the result of the time taken to understand
that to reach the largest audience possible, you have to
understand them, what motivates them, and how to make
your message resonate within them.
Finally, use communication to get to know someone on a
personal level. When you build an authentic relationship with
a person you develop respect for one another. Trust begins
to build. In electrical safety, when you are working with
someone you have to be able to trust them. You have to be
able to trust that they have your back and are not unknowingly
doing something that would put your life in danger. How many
accidents have occurred after an individual looking from the
outside in saw an unsafe act happening but decided not to do
anything? Whether it is because they were fearful of negative
feedback, felt it wasn’t their problem, or if they just didn’t know
the person. Do you think that person looking in would just
walk away if they knew the person had two young children?
What if they knew the person’s husband or wife? Or if they
suffered through a rough upbringing just like they did? You
can begin to see how personal relationships within the work
force can affect safety. You can’t build a relationship behind a
computer screen or through text messaging. It is built the old
fashioned way, in the trenches, side by side.
B. Capturing Knowledge: Building on the Blocks of
Yesterday
The transfer of knowledge doesn’t have to be from person
to person. Technology offers different outlets in which
information can be recorded and distributed. Web 2.0
technologies such as blogs, wikis, social networks, podcasts,
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and collaborative workspaces give the user more natural
ways to share knowledge. Now the next step is to encourage
older generations to utilize this technology. The responsibility
does not lie fully with them, but also with the younger
generations.
Generation Y must realize that both Traditionalists and
Baby Boomers have knowledge that is crucial to the
progression of electrical safety for both the current and future
workforce. Many workers enter the workforce with a great
understanding of theory, but lack the hands on experience.
The older generations have experience with equipment that
has been in service longer than their parents have been on
this earth. Their knowledge of such items is irreplaceable.
Sure, if you run into a problem now you can easily contact
them. What about 20 years from now? When they go, so
does that knowledge. The younger generations need to use
their technological skills to encourage and motivate the older
generations to use these available methods to share their
knowledge.
For the older generations who may be intimidated by
technology, Vint Cerf stated, “You don’t have to be young to
learn about technology. You have to feel young”. Every one
of you that participate in this conference is passionate about
electrical safety. You approach electrical safety with a
youthful exuberance. If you channeled even a fifth of that
energy towards sharing your knowledge through Web 2.0
technologies, you could help to build an organic community
[1] of knowledge. With real time communication technology
into the social networking application environment, it is
possible for people to start spontaneous conversations about
the content, laying the basis for authentic relationships that
lead to deep, durable knowledge transfer [1]. It is a way for
anyone to keep contributing to the progression of electrical
safety long after they retire. The blog you write today or
podcast you record tomorrow could lead to a life being saved
10 years from now.
There may be many of you that already take advantage of
these technologies to share your knowledge. I encourage
you all to share your knowledge. I also encourage you to
reach out for the help of the younger generations if you need
help learning and utilizing this technology. We are all working
towards the same goal; making the workplace safer for
current and future generations.
C. Electrical Safety: Training the Present to Train the Future
Building a training program that can target the needs of
each generation can be quite a difficult task. They are many
books, articles, and other sources of information that can offer
methods on how to build a training program that can
effectively target each generation. Some organizations have
been quite successful. Part of their success is the
incorporation of technology. They have been able to
successfully blend technology with older methods of training,
such as lectures, hands on exercises, and case studies. As
the workplace around us continues to evolve and present new
dangers, your training program must evolve along with it.
A key in developing a great program is putting together a
team consisting of members from each generation. The
collaboration from this team could be able to put together
training that could incorporate the best of each generation’s
learning styles. They will be able to bounce out ideas and
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receive immediate feedback. They can help each generation
explain why a certain learning method may or may not be best
for them. By each generation working together, they are able
to better understand one another. Effective teachers
understand their learners.
Baby Boomers have dominated the workplace for years
and are comfortable in the culture they have created. In order
to progress, they will have to slowly give the keys to the car to
the younger generations. The older generations can provide
knowledge gained from over 30 years of experience, while
younger generations bring technological expertise,
enthusiasm, and energy. If both can recognize and adapt to
these traits then it will lead to the enhanced success in the
training environment [3].
Finally, the last step in producing a great training program
is the recruitment and incorporation of young talent. As these
mini-generations enter the work force, we need to seek out
promising young talent and get them involved with safety
early. They will be the key to keeping the training program up-
to-date with current learning methods and technology. They
may lack the experience at first, but by collaborating with the
older generations, they will be receiving information
immediately. Also, the process should not stop at
recruitment. Electrical safety courses are beginning to
emerge in more colleges. We should focus on pushing more
safety curriculum into colleges. We need to compete for that
young talent. We need to show that a career in safety is very
promising and fulfilling. It is those next generations that will
continue to push the evolution of electrical safety into new
heights.
V. CONCLUSION
“Everybody has to be able to participate in a future that they
want to live for. That's what technology can do.” – Dean
Kamen
The pace at which technology continues to grow is only
quickening. Every day we are presented with new
technological tools that may lead to the next breakthrough in
electrical safety. We may soon see the day where training is
held in a virtual 3-D world where employees are able to
receive training in the same manner as pilots receive in flight
simulators. No matter what technology is created, what it can
do, it will still depend on how we decide to use it. We need to
understand that technology is a tool and like any other tool, if
you use it outside the purpose for which it was created, you
will put yourself at risk. We need technology to continue to
improve electrical safety. Alvin Toffler stated that “Our
technological powers increase, but the side effects and
potential hazards also escalate”. If we are to prepare
ourselves for these hazards we must do it together, utilizing
what each generation has to offer. Whether you still use a
typewriter or are able to conduct business on your smart
phone, you will be able to make a difference. And when you
do, why not use technology to share it with the world? We
know we will.
VI. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
During last year’s conference we were approached by an
individual that took the time to ask us what we thought about
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the presentations that he and others had given. Later that
evening, we ran into each other and we continued to talk. He
asked us what we thought about electrical safety and if there
was an idea that we thought could help contribute. After
explaining to him our idea, he told us two things. The first
was to take our idea, write an abstract and turn it in for next
year’s conference. The second was that he would help us if
we reached out to him. We would like to thank Mike Doherty
for reaching out to us that day, hearing our idea, challenging
us to be a part of the conference this year, and expressing
extreme confidence in us.
The second person we would like to acknowledge is Tony
Demaria. After hearing about our experience with Mike, he
also pushed us to get this paper out and offered to supply us
with anything we needed to get it done. Getting support from
both men, who are highly regarded within the electrical safety
community, was a great source of motivation. With the right
attitude and support system, we can all accomplish great
things.
VIII. VITA
Joe Barrios began his relationship with safety after being
hired in 2005 as an electrician’s apprentice with Tony
Demaria Electric, Inc. A shift from the field to the office
expanded his role within the company. For the last five years
he has participated in the revamping of the company’s safety
policies and procedures. As the company’s current Assistant
Safety Director, he is tasked with keeping the safety program
up to date and first class. This will be his third time attending
the conference and his first time presenting.
Katie Scarlett Reyes graduated from California State
University Long Beach with a BA in 2009. She has worked for
Tony Demaria Electric for three years and is currently their
Internal Safety Auditor. This will be her third time attending
the ESW Conference and her first time presenting.

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