It’s true there are top performers.
to your points\
this really sounds like a hiring/screening and culture issue. also please find the motivated youth. Maybe outside of work? They do exist and it can do wonders for your burnout. Motivation distribution really isn’t that different from a decade ago. The problem imo is hiring practices failing.
But there is one point to validate here. The youth of today has a different focus on skills than a decade ago. They grew up with social media from a young age, didn’t have to deal with unpolished tech, and are constantly connected to each other.
Again, hiring practices failing to place people correctly.
From one old person to another, try to see what makes the younger generation different and effective in their own way.
Ok so 98% of graduates your company hired failed to meet your expectations. I think it’s silly to attribute that to the general environment instead of your company’s practices and management.
Also where is your mentor programs teaching these juniors skills relevant to your company?
Forget colleges, it sounds like your company is doing a very poor job with its workforce.
I promise there is a younger person who feels the same way. A lot of this is personality. They were saying the same things back when calculators were introduced.