🛠️ Skills and Workforce #19

Bank of America and Goldman Sachs are cutting jobs due to weak markets, while Google Cloud and NEMISA launch cybersecurity training for 12,000 South Africans. Green energy workforce training grows with Siemens Gamesa, Wiltshire College, and Tata Power initiatives, the latter aiming to upskill Indian youth for green energy jobs. Advanced manufacturing sees investment in robotics and automation training in Ireland and Ohio. Semiconductor talent development expands through WOU collaborations. AI and digital skills programs, including DepEd-LinkedIn’s teacher training and Cisco’s EU initiative, support digital literacy. Healthcare efforts include Pennsylvania’s nurse shortage program and NextNation’s Indian-German nurse mobility initiative, connecting Indian nurses to German healthcare institutions, alongside Iowa’s $3M credentialing grant for work-based learning.

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Global Labor Market Trends

🏢 Bank of America Cuts 150 Junior Investment Banking Jobs. Bank of America has laid off 150 junior investment banking employees across its London and New York offices, citing weak dealmaking activity and market instability. The cuts, announced on March 10, 2025, primarily affected analysts and associates. This move aligns with broader industry trends, as other major banks, including Goldman Sachs and HSBC, also reduce staff. The layoffs follow BoA’s annual performance review process, with some affected employees offered internal transitions.

📈 Goldman Sachs Plans to Cut 3% to 5% of Workforce. Goldman Sachs intends to reduce its workforce by 3% to 5%, equating to over 1,395 positions from its 46,500 employees. The layoffs will primarily target underperforming vice presidents, identified through recent performance reviews and smaller bonuses. Despite these cuts, the firm plans to maintain its overall headcount by hiring new employees later in the year, aligning with Solomon's strategy to refocus on core business areas. 

👷 Google Cloud and NEMISA Launch Cybersecurity Training for 12,000 South Africans. Google Cloud, in collaboration with the National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa (NEMISA), has launched a cybersecurity training initiative to equip 12,000 South Africans with essential skills. This program aims to address the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals, enhance digital literacy, and bolster the country's cybersecurity resilience. The initiative aligns with efforts to bridge the digital skills gap and support economic growth through specialized tech education.

Green Skills

⚡ Siemens Gamesa and Hull College launch apprenticeships for renewable energy careers. Siemens Gamesa and Hull College are offering 30 new apprenticeship roles to build the Humber region’s renewable energy workforce. Starting in Autumn 2025, the program will equip apprentices with industry-leading training, technical education, and hands-on experience. Open to applicants aged 17+ with GCSE Grade 4+ in English and Maths, the initiative aims to strengthen community ties and fuel the UK’s clean energy transition.

🏗️ Wiltshire College opens $625K Green Skills Centre & eco-house with Good Energy. Wiltshire College & University Centre launched a $625K Green Skills Innovation Centre at its Lackham campus, backed by $126K Wiltshire Council’s Shared Prosperity Fund. The centre will train plumbers, electricians, and builders in sustainable energy technologies, including solar PV and heat pumps.

📜 Thailand advances green workforce development with new training initiatives. The Thai government, in collaboration with Rajamangala University of Technology, Chevron Thailand, and IAFSW, launched the Green Career online platform to strengthen sustainability-focused workforce development. The initiative aligns with national climate policies by integrating online education, community engagement, and project-based learning in key sectors such as sustainable agriculture, eco-friendly services, and carbon management.

💡 Tata Power & NSDC launch skill initiative for green energy jobs. Tata Power and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) have teamed up to bridge the skill gap and prepare India’s youth for the growing green energy sector. The partnership will focus on training in green energy, power transmission, and industrial safety. The Tata Power Skill Development Institute (TPSDI) will serve as NSDC’s Training Partner, expanding access to hands-on training in energy storage and green hydrogen. 

Advanced Manufacturing Skills

💾 $67.5M Louth Training Centre Opens for Advanced Manufacturing Skills. The LMETB Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre of Excellence (AMTCE) in Dundalk officially opened, following a $67.5M investment. Backed by DFHERIS, SOLAS, and Enterprise Ireland, the state-of-the-art facility offers courses in robotics, automation, and 3D construction printing. AMTCE has trained 5,000 learners since 2021, with another 5,000 projected through 2026. 

🏭 Ohio Colleges Secure $5.7M Grant to Boost Manufacturing Workforce. Lorain County Community College is leading the North Shore Manufacturing Workforce Partnership, a $5.7M US Department of Labor-funded initiative to address Ohio’s manufacturing skills gap. Partnering with Cuyahoga, North Central State, Owens, and Terra State Community Colleges, the program will expand engineering technician training, integrate paid earn-and-learn internships, and offer credit for prior experience. Backed by industry leaders like Honda and Lincoln Electric, the initiative aims to create scalable career pathways.

🛠️ WOU Partners with TT Vision, Oppstar & Clarion to Strengthen Semiconductor Talent. Wawasan Open University (WOU) has signed MoUs with TT Vision, Oppstar, and Clarion Malaysia to upskill 200 professionals in semiconductors and manufacturing. Programs include IoT-enabled manufacturing, IC design, and smart manufacturing. Aligned with Malaysia’s STEM Talent Blueprint, the initiative enhances workforce competitiveness and supports Penang’s position as a high-tech talent hub.

AI & Digital Skills

💻 DepEd and LinkedIn partner for 200,000 teachers' professional development. Educators will access LinkedIn Learning courses aligned with national teaching standards, focusing on creative thinking, data analytics, and digital skills. DepEd will also use LinkedIn Talent Insights to refine Grade 11 and 12 curricula, ensuring alignment with in-demand skills. The Education Secretary emphasized the initiative’s importance as AI rapidly transforms industries and job market demands.

⚙️ Andhra Pradesh partners with Microsoft for youth AI skills. This initiative will train 500 teachers and 10,000 engineering students in AI and cloud computing, along with 30,000 ITI students in digital productivity. An additional 40,000 youth will benefit from AI training under 'Passport to Earning 2.0,' while 20,000 individuals will receive training with the Union Labour Ministry. Microsoft will also provide 100 hours of AI training to 50,000 people, including government officials.

📱 Cisco plans to train 1.5M EU citizens with digital skills by 2030. The initiative aims to support the EU’s Union of Skills framework and enhance digital literacy in areas like cybersecurity, AI, and data science. Free courses will help build a skilled workforce for Europe's digital transformation, aligning with the EU’s 2030 Digital Decade goals to boost digital proficiency across member states.

Health Skills

🧑‍⚕️ Shapiro visits Temple Health to promote budget proposals to tackle the nurse shortage. To address Pennsylvania's nursing shortage, Governor Josh Shapiro proposes a $5M Nurse Shortage Assistance Program. The initiative offers tuition assistance to nursing students who commit to working in-state hospitals for at least three years after graduation, aiming to enhance nurse retention and expand the healthcare workforce. 

🧑‍🎓 NextNation Transforms Global Healthcare with Its Nursing Mobility Programme. NextNation's nursing mobility program connects skilled Indian nurses with German healthcare institutions to address Germany's projected shortage of over 500,000 healthcare workers by 2030. The program offers comprehensive support, including job placement, relocation assistance, and mentorship, boasting a 98% visa success rate.

💉 Iowa Healthcare Credentialing Grant. The Iowa Healthcare Credentialing Grant provides $3M to support work-based learning programs, such as Registered Apprenticeships, that aim to address high-demand healthcare occupations and provide on-the-job training to upskill healthcare workers.

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