🛠️ Skills and Workforce #43

Hello 👋

Global labor markets are showing signs of cooling and structural change. In the US, consumer confidence fell to 97.4 in August as job optimism weakened, with only 73,000 new jobs added in July and vacancies dropping to 7.4M, signaling a slowdown in hiring. Thailand’s labor market is also undergoing restructuring, as businesses adopt AI, encourage early retirements, and shift to contract roles amid shrinking exports under US tariffs. Despite low unemployment (0.7%), an ageing population is driving labor shortages and increased reliance on foreign workers. Reflecting these trends, the International Labour Organization (ILO) downgraded its 2025 global jobs forecast by 7M, now projecting 53M new roles instead of 60M, citing economic headwinds and geopolitical risks as slowing global labor demand.

Parallelly, targeted skills development is accelerating across green, advanced manufacturing, AI, digital, and health sectors. Kazakhstan, Southern Los Angeles, and Scotland are expanding green workforce programs, creating thousands of new roles. Advanced manufacturing initiatives in the US, India, and Japan are training students and military personnel in robotics, additive manufacturing, and automation. AI and digital skills programs in Northern Ontario, Brazil, and India aim to upskill educators and SMEs. Meanwhile, healthcare training in Maine, Texas, and Western New York is growing through multi-million-dollar federal and private investments, enhancing nursing, cybersecurity, and broader health workforce capacity.

Thanks for reading!

Global Labor Market Trends

💼 US Consumer Confidence Falls as Hiring Slows. The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index dipped to 97.4 in August as job optimism weakened. Employers added just 73,000 jobs in July, while vacancies fell to 7.4 million, signaling a cooling labor market. Rising economic uncertainties are making consumers more cautious about spending and future job prospects.

📉 Thailand Labour Market Faces Restructuring. Businesses are cutting costs via AI adoption, early retirements, and contract roles, while exports shrink under US tariffs. Despite low unemployment (0.7%), an ageing society is driving labour shortages and increased reliance on foreign workers.

🌐 ILO Downgrades Global Job Forecast. The ILO cut its 2025 outlook by 7M jobs, now expecting 53M new roles instead of 60M. Rising economic headwinds and geopolitical risks are slowing global labour demand.

Green Skills

🌱 Kazakhstan Expands Green Workforce Amid Low-Carbon Transition. Kazakhstan develops green skills programs to support its low-carbon economy, employing 2,105 workers across 156 renewable energy facilities. With 91 projects planned and 12,000 temporary jobs by 2030, initiatives include renewable energy, hydrogen, nuclear, and energy efficiency training to meet rising green job demand.

🌿 EGIA Foundation Partners to Support Green Jobs Training in Southern LA. The EGIA Foundation partnered with GreenWorks LA to fund green HVAC training and scholarships, aiming to create sustainable career pathways for underserved communities in Southern Los Angeles County. This initiative focuses on pre-apprenticeship programs in EV charging and heat pump maintenance, aiming to create sustainable career pathways.

⚡ BAM Helps Energize Scotland’s Economy with 300 New Green Energy Roles. BAM UK and Ireland hired 300 specialists over the last 12 months to deliver critical green energy projects with SSEN Transmission. The majority of these roles are based in the north of Scotland, aligning with the UK Government’s $9165B  infrastructure strategy. Further recruitment is planned for autumn 2025.

Advanced Manufacturing Skills

🧑‍💻 Choffin Opens $1M Advanced Manufacturing Lab for Robotics Training. Choffin Career and Technical Center in Youngstown unveiled a $1M lab to train 80 students annually in robotics, automation, and industrial maintenance. Partnering with the Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition, the program provides certifications, mentorships, and direct career pathways to meet the region's workforce demand.

🏭 Punjab Proposes Indian Institute of Skills in Ludhiana. Punjab plans an Indian Institute of Skills in Ludhiana with five modernized ITI hubs on 20 acres. Since 2022, ITI seats doubled, 814 industry-aligned courses launched, and India’s first industry-integrated BTech in Mechanical Engineering introduced.

🛠 Misawa Air Base Unveils First Additive Manufacturing Training for Airmen. The US Air Force held a five-day course at Misawa Air Base on CAD, material selection, 3D printing, and rapid prototyping. Trainees produced mission-focused tools and aircraft parts, enhancing advanced manufacturing capabilities and operational readiness.

AI & Digital Skills

🤖 FedNor Invests $1M to Boost AI and Digital Skills in Northern Ontario. This investment strengthens AI and digital skills development, with $700K enabling SMEs to adopt and apply AI tools, and $350K expanding the Innovation Acceleration Program to train talent, support business growth, and build a digitally skilled workforce in Northern Ontario. 

😊 ServiceNow and SENAI-SP Launch Portuguese AI Training Program in Brazil. The program offers instructor-led courses, hands-on labs, certifications, and job readiness support, targeting hundreds in 2025. This aligns with Brazil’s digital strategy and ServiceNow’s global goal to upskill 3 million people in AI and digital capabilities by 2027 through accessible, practical education.

📚 Samsung Launches Mumbai Chapter of Its Galaxy Empowered Program. The initiative aims to train 350 educators from 250 schools in AI and digital tools. The initiative also includes free workshops, mentorship, and peer networks, aiming to empower 20,000 teachers nationwide by 2025 and strengthen India’s digital education ecosystem.

Health Skills

🏛️ UMA Opens Capital Center for Nursing and Cybersecurity Training in Augusta. Backed by over $7M in federal funding, the center expands nursing simulation labs and launches new training programs to strengthen cybersecurity in Maine’s healthcare system. The facility further seeks to boost enrollment and enhance the digital workforce to meet urgent state needs.

🚀 $5.7M PATH Project Expands Healthcare Training in North Texas. Dallas College, in partnership with regional colleges and the DFW Hospital Council, launched the PATH (Partners in Advancing Talent in Healthcare) Project with a four-year $5.7M federal grant. The initiative expands healthcare training, creates new career pathways, and provides $1.3M in tuition aid for underserved students.

🌿 Highmark Invests $4M in Health and Workforce Projects Across Western New York. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield committed $4M through its Blue Fund to support 24 health-focused projects across Western New York. These grants, now in the program’s eighth year, target behavioral and cardiovascular health, maternal and children’s services, and workforce development.

Thank you for reading. Have a great week ahead!
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