🛠️ Skills and Workforce #18

This week, BP is cutting 8,000 jobs and refocusing on fossil fuels to save $2B by 2026 amid geopolitical disruptions and high oil prices. Singapore is offering up to US$2,990 in training allowances under its SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme to boost workforce upskilling. Penn State receives $1.3M to train Pennsylvania’s agricultural workforce.

In green skills, the British Embassy Jakarta and OCS Indonesia launched the UK-Indonesia Green Skills Collaboration Report and VOCIFY Green Apprenticeship Programme to enhance workforce development. E.ON introduced the New Energy Academy to equip students with sustainability skills, addressing a gap among 49% of UK teachers. Amid aviation shortages, HBCUs like ECSU and Hampton University train future pilots and air traffic controllers, backed by a $240M Congressional fund.

In advanced manufacturing, JCCC and Panasonic Energy are training 200+ workers annually for Kansas’ largest economic project, a lithium-ion battery plant. GE Aerospace invests $1M to extend AMTEP in Lynn through 2027, boosting job placement. CVCC secures $1.5M to expand advanced manufacturing pathways, while CGCC receives $6M to launch an Aerospace Workforce Accelerator with Boeing and Honeywell, supporting nearly 1,000 students yearly.

For AI and digital skills, Doballi and GetBundi are offering free virtual assistant training to 10,000 Africans. CPA Australia, Keypath, and AFR launched five micro-credential courses on data and AI skills. PwC Thailand invests $266K through 2028 to upskill staff via online learning. In healthcare, Philips and Medtronic will train 300+ cardiologists and radiologists in advanced imaging. Florence Education plans to acquire Paier College to establish Florence University, expanding nursing programs. Eli Lilly is investing $50B in four US pharmaceutical sites, creating 3,000+ high-skilled jobs and 10,000 construction jobs while strengthening the supply chain.

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Global Labor Market Trends

🏢 BP Cuts 8,000 Jobs as It Shifts Focus Back to Fossil Fuels. BP is cutting 8,000 jobs to reduce costs by $2B by 2026. This decision accompanies a strategic shift from renewable energy investments back to traditional oil and gas operations. The move is driven by geopolitical disruptions, high oil prices, slowing demand in China, and evolving investor expectations, prompting a renewed focus on traditional energy sources.

📈 Singapore Introduces a Training Allowance for Workforce Upskilling. Singaporeans can apply for a training allowance of up to US$2,990 under the SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme starting March 2025. This initiative was implemented within the Singapore budget 2025 measures and aims to enhance workforce development by promoting continuous learning and skill upgrades. The program strengthens employability and helps businesses address evolving industry needs by supporting individuals in acquiring new competencies.

👷 Penn State Receives $1.3M to Strengthen Pennsylvania’s Agricultural Workforce. Penn State has been awarded $1.3M to enhance agricultural workforce development in Pennsylvania. The initiative will support 100 farms and agribusinesses with training on HR practices, legal compliance, and employee management while developing a free resource, the Pennsylvania Farm & Food Employers’ Handbook, to improve hiring and retention.

Green Skills

🌍 UK-Indonesia Green Skills Launch. The British Embassy Jakarta and OCS Indonesia launched the UK-Indonesia Green Skills Collaboration Report and the VOCIFY Green Apprenticeship Programme. This initiative, focusing on enhancing technical and vocational education, brings global standards to Indonesia’s workforce development. The program aims to improve social mobility and provide quality education, bridging skill gaps and preparing Indonesian workers for future challenges.

⚡ E.ON Launches New Energy Academy to Equip Students with Green Skills. E.ON launched the New Energy Academy to prepare students for sustainability careers. The free program offers hands-on learning, workshops, and competitions. Co-developed with educators, it aligns with Gatsby Benchmarks to integrate sustainability into classrooms. With 49% of UK teachers lacking confidence in teaching sustainability, the initiative bridges the gap while expanding career pathways beyond STEM into AI, data science, and marketing.

🚁 HBCUs Train Future Aviators Amid Pilot and Air Traffic Controller Shortages. Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) and Hampton University are addressing the shortage of pilots and air traffic controllers by training the next generation of aviators. With the FAA’s ongoing recruitment efforts, including hiring from the military, Congress allocated $240M in 2024 to support aviation education and reduce student costs.

Advanced Manufacturing Skills

🔧 JCCC & Panasonic Partner on Workforce Training. JCCC is teaming up with Panasonic Energy to train employees for its new lithium-ion battery plant in De Soto, Kansas—the state’s largest economic project. Starting this month, Panasonic’s first cohort will complete eight weeks of training at JCCC before on-the-job instruction. Over 200 workers will be trained annually. JCCC also offers an Automation Engineer Technology (AET) degree and a one-year certificate program launching in late 2025 for advanced manufacturing careers.

✈️ GE Aerospace Invests $1M in Workforce Training. GE Aerospace is investing $M to expand the Advanced Manufacturing Training Expansion Program (AMTEP) in Lynn, ensuring its continuation through 2027. The program has already trained 600+ individuals with an 83% job placement rate and helps graduates earn 25% more per hour than in previous jobs. This investment will support student and adult training in precision machining, expand employer partnerships, and strengthen the local manufacturing workforce.

🏭 CVCC Awarded $1.5M Grant to Boost Workforce Development. Central Virginia Community College (CVCC) has received $1.5M from the US Department of Labor’s Strengthening Community Colleges Grant to expand Advanced Manufacturing pathways. The funding will support partnerships with regional employers like Framatome, Delta Star, and BWXT to meet the demand for skilled workers in advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, and biotechnology. The program will offer upskilling and dual enrollment opportunities for high school students, along with state-of-the-art training equipment.

✈️ CGCC Awarded $6M Grant for Aerospace Workforce Accelerator. Chandler-Gilbert Community College received a $6M grant to create the Aerospace & Defense Future48 Workforce Accelerator at its Williams campus. The facility, in partnership with Boeing and Honeywell Aerospace, will provide hands-on training in aerospace and defense manufacturing. The program aims to support nearly 1,000 students annually, preparing them for high-demand careers in aviation mechanics and related fields.

AI & Digital Skills

💻 Doballi and GetBundi partnered to provide free virtual assistant training for 10,000 Africans. This initiative addresses the growing demand for VAs in various fields, including customer service, social media management, bookkeeping, and more. Virtual assistants help businesses by handling administrative and operational tasks. The partnership aligns with Doballi’s goal of developing African talent through collaborations with organizations, educational institutions, and governments to meet market needs.

🦾 CPA Australia, Keypath, and AFR offer data and AI skills courses. Provided through the AFR Short Courses platform, the five micro-credentials focus on data interpretation, statistical analysis, and fostering data-driven cultures. Each course lasts four to six hours. This initiative aligns with CPA Australia’s goal of upskilling professionals and boosting business productivity. It follows CPA Australia's recent collaboration with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.

⚛ PwC Thailand invests $266K to upskill staff, closing the digital gap. In collaboration with online learning platforms, the initiative focuses on developing a future-ready workforce. The CEO emphasized that digital upskilling is a key strategic priority, preparing employees to navigate emerging challenges and opportunities. The investment spans 2024-2028, ensuring employees are equipped for the digital transformation era.

Health Skills

🧑‍⚕️ Philips and Medtronic have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. This initiative aims to train over 300 cardiologists and radiologists in advanced imaging techniques for structural heart diseases, focusing on multi-modality imaging like echocardiography and MRI. 

🧑‍🎓 Florence Education plans to acquire Paier College to create Florence University. The acquisition, pending regulatory approval, will introduce new nursing and healthcare programs, apprenticeship pathways, and upskilling initiatives for current nurses. Florence University aims to address the global nursing shortage through innovative healthcare education.

💉 Eli Lilly invests over $50B on pharmaceuticals in the US. The 4 new manufacturing sites will produce active ingredients, reshore chemical synthesis, and strengthen the supply chain. This expansion will create 3,000+ high-skilled jobs and another 10,000 jobs in the project's construction, boosting local economies through spending, tax revenue, and infrastructure improvements.

Thank you for reading. Have a great week ahead!
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