🛠️ Skills and Workforce #61

Hello 👋

Global labor markets show mixed signals as 2025 ended with cautious hiring and balanced workforce demand across major economies. Global hiring stabilised after a challenging year, while the UAE workforce surged 12.4% thanks to new private-sector firms. Conversely, Vimeo implemented significant global layoffs following its $1.38B acquisition, reflecting cost rationalisation amid slower tech growth. Workforce development is also advancing in green skills, with the University of Houston launching “Spark Energy Futures” to prepare youth for clean energy careers, Stardust Solar scaling solar training internationally, and Western Australia expanding construction and energy transition training infrastructure to support renewable projects and net-zero readiness.

Advanced manufacturing skills are being strengthened through partnerships and grants, including Rockwell Automation and UWM CSI’s $1M initiative, JPMorganChase’s $35K Alabama program, and DeWys Manufacturing’s $115K Talent Fund grant. In AI and digital skills, New Jersey launched the first USDOL‑registered AI apprenticeship, AWS and Exabytes trained Malaysians in cloud computing, and Mexico expanded technical education. Health workforce expansion continues with UNK’s $95M Health Science Center, South Texas College’s GED-phlebotomy program, and CMA Foundation support for newcomer physicians entering Canada’s health system.

Thanks for reading!

Global Labor Market Trends

🌍 Global Hiring Stabilises After Tough 2025 Signals Recovery. Global hiring sentiment is stabilising after a difficult 2025, with employers largely holding headcount steady rather than expanding or cutting. Staffing firms report balanced labour demand, while cautious job mobility reflects lingering economic uncertainty across major markets.

🇦🇪 UAE Workforce Expands Sharply as New Firms Drive Job Creation. The UAE workforce grew 12.4% in 2025, fueled by a surge in new private-sector firms and continued economic diversification. Employment gains were broad-based, with rising participation among youth and skilled professionals reinforcing the country’s position as a regional labour hub.

💼 Vimeo Implements Global Job Cuts Following Major Acquisition. Vimeo has begun significant global layoffs following its USD 1.38B acquisition by Bending Spoons, impacting multiple teams and regions. The move reflects ongoing cost rationalisation in the tech sector as firms prioritise efficiency amid slower growth conditions.

Green Skills

🌍 University of Houston Energy Workforce Award Boosts Green Skills Training. The University of Houston and partners secured a $560K award to launch “Spark Energy Futures,” preparing youth and communities for clean energy careers through hands-on training and certification without requiring a college degree, strengthening regional energy transition skills pathways.

☀️ Stardust Solar Launches Global Training License to Expand Green Skills Access. Stardust Solar introduced an international training license and subscription program to scale solar installation education worldwide, offering institutional and student pathways into renewable energy skillsets while creating recurring revenue and expanding industry-aligned curricula.

🧱 WA Capital Grants Expand Construction and Energy Transition Training. Western Australia’s government has approved capital grants to expand construction and energy transition training infrastructure, backing workforce skills development for renewable projects, boosting trades training and positioning the region for clean energy job growth and net-zero readiness.

Advanced Manufacturing Skills

💼 Rockwell Automation and UWM CSI Expand Collaboration to Shape the Future of Manufacturing in the Region. Rockwell Automation reaffirmed its founding partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Connected Systems Institute, pledging $1M over five years to strengthen advanced manufacturing education, real-world training and industry-ready skills, while supporting a major new manufacturing campus and immersive hands-on opportunities for students.

🏭 JPMorganChase $35K Commitment to Alabama Possible to Expand Workforce Training in Advanced Manufacturing. JPMorganChase pledged $35k to Alabama Possible to expand workforce training programs in advanced manufacturing, energy, and skilled trades. The funding will support expanded collaboration with community colleges, career advancement programs and accelerated technical training to close skills gaps.

🔧 DeWys Manufacturing Awarded $115,525 Talent Fund Grant to Expand Workforce Training. DeWys Manufacturing in West Michigan received a $115,525 Going PRO Talent Fund grant to scale workforce training, strengthen metal fabrication and advanced manufacturing skill sets, and support both new hires and existing employees with certified training and technical development.

AI & Digital Skills

🤖 New Jersey Community Colleges Launch First USDOL‑Registered AI Apprenticeship. New Jersey’s community colleges unveiled the state’s first USDOL‑registered Data Scientist/AI apprenticeship blending academic coursework with paid, employer‑driven experience to cultivate advanced AI talent and strengthen workforce pipelines in data analytics and machine learning.

☁️ AWS and Exabytes Invest $1.1M to Train Malaysians in Cloud and AI Skills. AWS and Exabytes partnered on a USD 1.1M cloud skills program to equip hundreds of Malaysians, especially from lower‑income communities, with cloud computing and AI certifications tied to internships and job placements.

🇲🇽 Mexico Expands Strategic Digital Education to Close Skills Gaps. Mexico is expanding technical education in cybersecurity, AI, and digital production to address emerging labor shortages linked to nearshoring and tech sector demand, aligning workforce training with evolving market needs.

Health Skills

🏥 New Health Science Education Center Opens Doors at UNK Campus. The University of Nebraska at Kearney unveiled its $95 M Health Science Education Center II, significantly expanding rural health care training with simulation labs, collaboration spaces and clinical skills education to prepare more professionals in high‑demand health fields.

🎓 South Texas College Launches Combined GED and Phlebotomy Program. South Texas College is introducing a combined GED and phlebotomy training program that enables learners to earn a high‑school equivalency while gaining an industry‑recognized health care credential, opening accessible pathways into allied health careers.

🤝 New CMA Foundation Partnership Supports Newcomer Physicians Enter Canada’s Health Workforce. The Canadian Medical Association Foundation is funding and expanding the HELP initiative to pair internationally trained physicians with Canadian physician mentors, improving medical English, clinical communication skills and pathways to integrate skilled immigrants into Canada’s health system.

Thank you for reading. Have a great week ahead!
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