🛠️ Skills and Workforce #55

Hello 👋

This week’s global workforce trends highlight an increased emphasis on AI, digital skills, and green economy training, as both companies and governments make substantial investments in upskilling initiatives. The tech and manufacturing sectors are seeing significant changes. Verizon is cutting 13,000 US jobs while launching a $20M AI reskilling fund, Autodesk is restructuring 1,000 roles for AI and cloud adoption, and Marvell is expanding its India workforce by 15% annually to support AI chip and cloud infrastructure. Corporate investments further support this momentum, with The Partner Group committing $100M to smart factory automation, Hong Kong funding smart manufacturing R&D, and Hummink raising $20M for precision printing.

Complementing these efforts, governments and educational institutions focus on green and healthcare skills development. The UK launches renewable energy Skills Bootcamps, COP30 emphasizes global green skill shortages, and Oman integrates climate education into schools. Digital upskilling spreads globally with Microsoft training 300,000+ in the UAE, LinkedIn mentoring 1,000+ Indian women in AI, and Morocco expanding JobInTech programs. In healthcare, Aventis and CSM Academy strengthen Singapore’s workforce, Health Sciences University secures funding for allied health training, and Ontario invests $3.74M to enhance long-term care workforce skills.

Thanks for reading!

Global Labor Market Trends

📉 Verizon Cuts 13,000 Jobs, Restructures Stores, and Launches Reskilling Fund. Verizon cuts 13,000 non-union jobs, reduces outsourced labor, and converts 179 corporate stores to franchises. The company also creates a $20M reskilling fund to support displaced workers and build AI-aligned capabilities as part of its broader cost-reduction plan.

💻 Marvell Expands India Workforce to Support AI and Cloud Demand. Marvell targets 15% annual growth for its 1,700-employee India team across Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune. The hiring push supports AI chip development and cloud infrastructure, supported by collaborations with hyperscalers and local OSAT providers to meet increasing global demand.

⚙️ Autodesk Cuts 1,000 Jobs Amid AI-Driven Restructuring. Autodesk eliminates 1,000 roles, about 10% of its workforce, to streamline operations and accelerate AI integration across its design and engineering tools. The company shifts toward cloud-based solutions and introduces reskilling support for employees affected by the change.

Green Skills

⚡ UK Launches Renewable Energy Skills Bootcamps for Green Careers. The UK rolls out government-funded Skills Bootcamps in renewable energy installation and maintenance. The programs provide short, practical training for adults to become heat-pump and solar engineers, helping close critical workforce gaps in the green economy.

📢 COP30 Highlights Global Demand for Green Skilling Initiatives. COP30 in Brazil draws attention to the global shortage of green skills. Governments and NGOs call for greater investment in training for renewable energy, climate adaptation, and sustainable agriculture to support international decarbonization targets.

🏫 Oman Launches National Climate Education and Green Schools Initiative. Oman's Environment Authority initiated a nationwide program to integrate climate education into school curricula. The initiative includes teacher training and establishing green school standards, aiming to build a foundation of environmental literacy for future generations.

Advanced Manufacturing Skills

💸 The Partner Group Invests $100M in Smart Factory Automation. The Partner Group commits $100M to deploy AI and robotics in smart factories across North America and Europe. The initiative upskills existing manufacturing employees to operate and maintain new automated production lines and intelligent workflow systems.

🏙️ Hong Kong Boosts Smart Manufacturing with New R&D Funding. Hong Kong increases funding for smart manufacturing R&D in AI, robotics, and new materials. The program targets workforce training to enhance technical skills and strengthen the global competitiveness of the city’s advanced industrial sectors.

🖨️ Hummink Raises $20M for Micronic Precision Printing Technology. Hummink secures $20M to advance micronic precision printing systems for electronics and medical devices. The funding supports scaling production and expanding workforce training programs to operate high-resolution additive manufacturing systems.

AI & Digital Skills

🤖 Microsoft Upskills 300,000+ in UAE Through AI Tour. Microsoft launches the Elevate UAE program to train 300,000+ students, teachers, and government employees in AI. Courses cover foundational AI, Copilot use, and hands-on tool skills, directly supporting the UAE’s national AI talent-development goals.

👩‍💻 LinkedIn Fellowship Empowers 1,000+ Indian Women in AI. LinkedIn, Microsoft, Edunet, and India’s MSDE launch a fellowship targeting more than 1,000 women from non-STEM backgrounds. The program provides AI fundamentals, mentorship, certification, and a culminating AI Innovation Summit.

💻 Morocco Expands JobInTech Digital Training to Dakhla. Morocco launches a new phase of JobInTech in Dakhla, with over 100 participants receiving training in AI, cybersecurity, software development, and data analysis. The program strengthens national digital skills and regional inclusion.

Health Skills

💉 Aventis and CSM Academy Launch Healthcare Career Partnership in Singapore. Aventis partners with CSM Academy to develop healthcare career pathways in Singapore. The initiative provides training programs, mentorship, and hands-on experiences for students and professionals, enhancing skills in clinical and healthcare support roles to meet growing industry demand.

🏫 Health Sciences University Secures Funding to Boost Skills. Health Sciences University (HSU) secures capital funding to improve facilities and learning resources. The investment supports education, professional development, and practical training in physiotherapy, radiography, occupational therapy, and allied health disciplines, building a stronger healthcare workforce.

🩺 Ontario Invests $3.74M to Upskill Long-Term Care Workforce. Ontario allocates $3.74M to train 1,100 long-term care employees in skin and wound care. The Programs include four streams for nurses and personal support workers, helping enhance clinical skills, reduce preventable hospital visits, and improve resident care quality across the province.

Thank you for reading. Have a great week ahead!
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