🛠️ Skills and Workforce #15

This week in the global labor market, Chevron plans to cut 8,000 jobs by 2026 as part of a $3B cost-saving effort. Adani Group is investing $230M in India’s largest skill development initiative. The June 2024 Jobs Report reveals that the labor force participation rate for prime working-age individuals reached a 20-year high of 83.7%. However, overall participation remains below pre-pandemic levels, contributing to a nationwide worker shortage.

Green skills are a growing priority, with India investing $1.6B to upskill 6.6 million workers, the UK auto sector preparing for EV adoption, and Deloitte Middle East launching sustainability training. Advanced manufacturing is also seeing major investments, including Texas' $47M workforce center and Embry-Riddle’s aviation training with Airbus. The EDA has awarded $3.9M to boost advanced manufacturing within the state of Kentucky. 

Samsung launched India’s teacher upskilling program while Nigeria launched a plan to train 5M youth. Salesforce has announced a planned investment of $500M in Saudi Arabia to boost AI innovation. In healthcare, Australia is promoting medical careers, and new digital health programs for pharmacists are emerging in India, signaling a future focused on innovation and adaptability.

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Global Labor Market Trends

🏢 Chevron announces workforce reduction by 2026. Chevron will lay off 15-20% of its global workforce by 2026, affecting 8,000 employees as part of a $3B cost-cutting initiative. The move follows weak refining margins and an ongoing legal dispute over a past acquisition of theirs. The company plans to simplify operations, reorganize leadership within two weeks, and enhance its long-term competitiveness.

📈 Adani Group pledges INR 2,000 crore to its skill development initiative. The funding aims to establish India’s largest skill development and employment initiative. This program also aims to enhance the employability of the workforce by providing comprehensive training across various sectors. The initiative is expected to significantly contribute to economic growth and a more skilled labor force.

👷 The US faces a workforce shortage despite high labor participation. The June 2024 Jobs report shows the labor force participation rate for prime working-age individuals hit a 20-year high at 83.7%. However, overall participation remains below pre-pandemic levels, leaving a worker shortage nationwide. Early retirements, reduced immigration, and financial support during the pandemic contributed to this deficit.

Green Skills

⚡ India Invests $1.6B to Upskill 6.6 Million Workers in Green Sectors. The Indian Cabinet approved the continuation and restructuring of the Skill India Programme, aiming to train millions in emerging industries, including renewable energy and sustainability sectors. With a $1.6B investment, the initiative will upskill nearly 6.6 million workers over five years, supporting India’s green transition and workforce modernization.

🚗 UK Auto Industry Invests Millions in Workforce Training for EV Shift. The UK automotive sector is investing millions in a new skills initiative to prepare workers for the electric vehicle transition. With a $749M government-backed funding package and industry-led training programs, the initiative aims to upskill thousands of workers in battery manufacturing, software development, and sustainable vehicle technologies.

🌿 Deloitte Middle East Launches Green Skills for a Green Economy. Deloitte Middle East launched ‘Green Skills for a Green Economy’ to upskill thousands of professionals in ESG, renewable energy, and climate finance. The initiative supports the region’s transition to a low-carbon economy, projected to exceed $5T globally by 2030. The program aligns with national sustainability goals, addressing the growing demand for green talent in key sectors.

Advanced Manufacturing Skills

⚒️ Embry-Riddle, Airbus Launch Training Program to Strengthen Aviation Workforce. Embry-Riddle Aviation University and Airbus are partnering on a 24-month training program to upskill aviation manufacturing workers in Mobile, Alabama. Focused on structural and electrical assembly for A320 and A220 aircraft, the initiative prepares workers for advanced manufacturing roles. Conducted online and through onsite learning labs, the program addresses industry-wide workforce shortages.

🧑‍💻 Texas State Technical College Breaks Ground on $47M Workforce Training Center. Texas State Technical College (TSTC) has begun construction on a $47M advanced manufacturing training center in East Williamson County. The 70,000-square-foot facility will support semiconductor, industrial systems, and precision machining programs, addressing Texas’ growing skills gap. Key partners like Samsung Austin Semiconductor are backing the initiative to ensure students gain job-ready skills. With enrollment expected to triple, the center aligns with Texas’ push to expand technical training.

🏭 EDA Grants $3.9M to Boost Advanced Manufacturing Workforce in Kentucky. The Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded $3.9M to the South Central Kentucky Development Authority and Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce to expand the Building a Smart Manufacturing Workforce initiative. The program will strengthen workforce training in robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing by uniting manufacturers, educators, and economic development entities.

AI & Digital Skills

📱 Samsung India launched "Galaxy Empowered," a community-led initiative to upskill teachers. The nationwide free program offers training in digital tools, blended learning, and mentorship, aligning with NEP 2020.  Featuring hands-on training and online resources, it empowers educators with modern methods for future classrooms, benefiting both teachers and participating schools. 

💻 Nigeria's Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) and SBTS Group (US) partner to create 50,000 jobs and train 5M youth in digital skills by 2030.  Aligned with Nigeria's digital economy strategy, the initiative addresses the skills gap hindering growth in sectors like finance, healthcare, and ICT. DBI's CEO calls it a "game-changer," emphasizing the need to upskill youth for a digital economy and drive inclusive growth.

🌐 Salesforce announced its investment of $500M in Saudi Arabia. This is to boost AI innovation, workforce development, and its partner ecosystem. This follows a Davos pledge to open a Riyadh headquarters. Citing growing Agentforce adoption, Salesforce will introduce Hyperforce (via AWS) to enable local workload processing for its global customers.

Health Skills

🧑‍⚕️ Nigeria’s Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) and US-based SBTS Group plan to create 50,000 jobs and train 5M youth by 2030. This initiative supports the Federal Government's National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, aiming to bridge the country's digital skills gap and equip young people to compete globally in industries such as financial services, healthcare, entertainment, and ICT.

🧑‍🎓 Australia Launches First Campaign to Boost Healthcare Careers. The initiative aims to attract talent to roles like GPs, nurses, and allied health professionals by showcasing the impact, growth, and diverse opportunities in non-hospital settings, including aged care and Aboriginal health organizations.

💉 The Academy of Digital Health Sciences has launched a Digital Health Programme for Pharmacists. In partnership with Bombay College of Pharmacy and IIM Raipur, this initiative is designed to equip pharmacists with digital health skills, enabling them to enhance pharmaceutical care, optimize workflows, and improve patient outcomes.

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