Salesforce new guide aims to help companies build AI-ready workforces
This year’s college graduates face one of the most competitive job markets in years. AI is transforming industry after industry, and some leaders have even predicted that AI could replace up to 50 percent of all entry-level jobs. Over the past year, the number of entry-level jobs has declined by six percent as companies reduce hiring and automate tasks traditionally performed in early-career roles.
Salesforce However, is taking a different path and sees investing in AI-native graduates as a strategic competitive advantage. The company's new Builder program is actively recruiting 1,000 recent graduates and interns to help develop The future of Agentforce.
The Builder program is run through Futureforce, Salesforce's global university recruitment program, and will quickly place AI-native talent in practical and business-critical roles in technology, product development, sales and other areas.
AI natives are changing the future of work
Today's recent graduates don't have to adapt to AI – they are already building the future. They know how to work together with AI and AI agents, is changing how work is done and helping their teams evolve with technology.
AI natives are four times more likely to use AI on a daily basis, enabling them to deliver three times faster than older managers. Their AI skills have also been shown to contribute to a 40 percent increase in work quality.
What they say
”The AI-native generation now entering the workforce is not threatened by AI – they are the ones building it. Companies can’t afford to wait for their workforce to catch up with AI developments. That’s why we’re investing in Builders now to transform how we work and redefine our business from the inside out.”
— Nathalie Scardino, Chief People Officer at Salesforce
”The traditional boundaries of my role are blurring. With AI, I’m no longer just relaying requirements and wishes. I’m building with engineers and designers in a much deeper way.”
— Liz Awad, Senior Product Manager and former Futureforce participant
Lessons for leaders
Salesforce's new handbook for future talents, published today, is a strategic guide to help companies empower their organizations with AI-powered talent. It builds on Salesforce’s decades of experience investing in young talent, including the Builder initiative and the company’s long-term focus on recruiting and developing early-career talent.
Salesforce summarizes these lessons in the so-called 3As framework: Attract, Assess, and Activate. The goal is to help companies build a future-proof workforce.
Attract
Engage new talent through AI-powered experiences from day one, such as hackathons, access to educational materials, and interactive office experiences.
Rate
Assess AI competence and cognitive adaptability early, including the ability to quickly relearn and apply new knowledge as AI technology evolves.
Activate
Accelerate performance through structured onboarding, collaboration between humans and AI agents, and reverse mentoring. New talent can bring fresh perspectives while experienced employees share their knowledge and experience. This has been shown to contribute to a 15 percent increase in AI readiness.
Building on Futureforce
The handbook builds on Salesforce's long history of investing in new talent, including the over 10,000 young professionals the company has recruited through Futureforce.
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