🛠️ Skills and Workforce #58

Hello 👋

Significant progress unfolds this week in global workforce development, with major funding initiatives and upskilling partnerships targeting critical gaps. Governments are driving change with large-scale programs, from a UK $925M national apprenticeship overhaul to a US $5M injection for advanced manufacturing training in Arizona and a $4.2M federal expansion of apprenticeships in Pennsylvania. This proactive stance extends to green and digital sectors, highlighted by Bosch establishing HVAC skill centers in India, Stony Brook University launching a $644K green energy pathways program, and IBM partnering to train over 500,000 Saudis in AI and cloud technologies.

Complementing this, a landmark International Energy Agency report warns that the rapid growth of energy jobs to 76M is threatened by severe skills shortages, a challenge echoed in health and technology sectors. Google.org commits $2.1M to build Nigeria's AI workforce, Qatar trains government staff in generative AI, and Temple College receives a $9.8M grant for semiconductor training. In healthcare, Futuro Health secures $1M to upskill US professionals, UAMS receives $375K to train 75 health workers, and Telangana provides health skills training for women inmates. Watertown Public Schools also fosters future talent with a $250K clean energy grant, collectively demonstrating a coordinated global shift to build resilient, future-ready labor markets

Thanks for reading!

Global Labor Market Trends

💰 UK Announces $925M Apprenticeship Overhaul to Tackle Youth Unemployment. The UK government will invest $925M in a national apprenticeship program targeting youth unemployment. The plan expands technical training and creates new pathways into sectors like digital, health, and green industries, aiming to boost employment and close skills gaps.

📈 Australia's Labor Market Shows Resilience with Wage Uptick. Private banking data indicates Australia's labor market remained resilient in November, adding 26,000 jobs with annual wage growth ticking higher to 3.2%. Economists note the market is balanced, neither overheating nor weakening, which is critical for the Reserve Bank's policy decisions on interest rates.

⚡ Global Energy Job Growth Hits 76M, Skills Shortages Loom Large. The International Energy Agency's 2025 report reveals global energy employment reached 76M in 2024, growing at 2.2%, nearly double the global economic rate. However, over half of the 700 surveyed firms report critical hiring bottlenecks for technical roles like electricians and engineers, threatening to delay projects and increase costs as the workforce ages.

Green Skills

🔋 Stony Brook University to Upskill Green Energy Workforce. Stony Brook University received a $644K grant to launch its power pathways program. The initiative upskills workers through hands-on training and certifications in solar energy, HVDC systems, and geothermal energy. The funding supports broader workforce development goals in line with emerging industry requirements. 

📘 Watertown Public Schools to Upskill Future Energy Workforce. The public schools in Watertown received a $250K training grant to launch a high-performance buildings initiative that provides students with hands-on exposure to clean energy careers. The funding helps to upskill the workforce by expanding training opportunities while creating career awareness to reflect industry demand.

🏗️ Bosch to Upskill HVAC Workforce In India. Bosch Home Comfort partnered with the state of Gujarat to establish HVAC skill development centres focusing on workforce upskilling while achieving carbon neutrality. The program upskills technicians and students in HVAC installation, maintenance, and energy-efficient practices, thereby reflecting the increased demand for green skills in India.

Advanced Manufacturing Skills

🧪 $9.8M Expansion Positions NJ College for Biomanufacturing and EV Training. Raritan Valley Community College's new $9.8M Workforce Training Center offers programs in cleanroom biomanufacturing, electric vehicle technology, mechatronics, robotics, and welding. Public-private partnerships with the biopharma and automotive industries provide hands-on training and a skilled workforce pipeline.

🏗️ $5M Federal Grant to Build East Las Vegas Workforce Training Center. Eastside Education and Training Center at the College of Southern Nevada receives $5M in federal funding to train workers in construction, HVAC, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and IT. Project aims to create 3,400+ jobs and attract $530M in private investment.

🏭 $2.8M GO Virginia Grants Boost Advanced Manufacturing Workforce. Virginia awards $2.8M in GO Virginia grants to expand workforce training in advanced manufacturing, robotics, and welding. These projects strengthen regional economies, align skills with industry needs, and support long-term competitiveness through talent pipelines and business-ready sites across the Commonwealth.

AI & Digital Skills

💻 IBM Trains Over 500,000 Saudis in Digital Skills. IBM and Saudi MCIT train more than 500,000 learners in AI, data science, and cloud technologies. This program offers online courses, immersive camps, and teacher support to improve digital skills, boost workforce readiness, and build national talent pipelines. It helps support Saudi Arabia’s technology-driven economy.

🤖 Google.org Invests $2.1M to Support Nigeria’s AI Workforce. Google.org commits $2.1M to Nigeria’s National AI Strategy, working with FATE Foundation, AIMS, and ATF. The project introduces an AI curriculum in universities, starts innovation challenges, and expands digital safety and cybersecurity training to create a nationwide network of skilled AI professionals.

🧠 Qatar Introduces ALIF Program to Grow Government AI Skills. Qatar’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology partners with Scale AI to launch the ALIF Program through Qatar Digital Academy. This program trains government employees in generative AI, with specialized tracks for administrative and technical roles, increasing AI adoption and workforce readiness across public sector organizations.

Health Skills

💉 Futuro Health Secures $1 Million to Upskill Healthcare Workforce. Futuro Health received a $1M grant to expand its comprehensive training programs for healthcare professionals in the United States. This will support credentialing, hands-on experiences, and specialized skill development, aimed at enhancing clinical, technical, and workforce readiness to meet growing healthcare industry demands.

🩺 Telangana Introduces Health Skills Training for Women Inmates. The Telangana government is providing health-focused training for women inmates, covering topics such as hygiene, first aid, and basic healthcare practices. These programs are designed to develop practical health skills, enhance personal well-being, and equip participants with knowledge that can be applied both within and outside correctional facilities.

🧑‍⚕️ UAMS Receives $375,000 to Train 75 Health Workers Through 2027. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences secures $375K federal funding to train 75 healthcare professionals by mid-2027. The programs focus on hands-on clinical and technical skill development, workforce readiness, and professional growth, strengthening regional healthcare capacity.

Thank you for reading. Have a great week ahead!
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