🛠️ Skills and Workforce #20

This week continued the uptick in layoffs with Bank of America and Goldman Sachs announcing significant layoffs, cutting 150 junior investment banking jobs and planning a reduction of 3% to 5% of their workforce, respectively, as a result of weak market conditions. On the other hand, companies like Google Cloud and NEMISA are launching initiatives such as cybersecurity training for 12,000 South Africans to bridge the growing tech skills gap.

The green energy sector is expanding workforce training, with Siemens Gamesa and Hull College offering 30 renewable energy apprenticeships, Wiltshire College launching a Green Skills Centre, Thailand’s Green Career platform promoting sustainable jobs, and Tata Power partnering with NSDC in India to upskill youth for green roles. In advanced manufacturing, Ireland’s Louth Training Centre provides robotics and automation courses after a $67.5M investment, while Ohio colleges received a $5.7M grant to boost manufacturing skills. Semiconductor talent development includes WOU’s collaborations with TT Vision and Oppstar. In AI and digital sectors, DepEd and LinkedIn are training 200,000 teachers, Andhra Pradesh is skilling 500 teachers and 40,000 youth in AI, and Cisco aims to train 1.5M EU citizens in digital skills like cybersecurity and AI by 2030, aligning with the EU’s Digital Decade goals. In healthcare, Pennsylvania addresses nurse shortages, NextNation connects Indian nurses to German institutions, and Iowa’s $3M Healthcare Credentialing Grant supports work-based learning.

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Global Labor Market Trends

🏢Siemens to Cut 5,600 Jobs Amid Declining Demand. Siemens is set to lay off 5,600 employees globally, primarily within its Digital Industries division, as part of efforts to address declining demand from China and Germany. The layoffs, affecting over 8% of the division's workforce, will include positions in automation and electric vehicle charging sectors. 

📈 Amazon to Cut 14,000 Managerial Roles in Global Restructuring. Amazon plans to eliminate 14,000 managerial positions worldwide as part of a cost-cutting initiative to improve operational efficiency. This move, aimed at streamlining operations and reducing bureaucracy, will reduce the company’s global management headcount by 13%. 

👷Egypt Launches ‘Digilians’ to Train 5,000 Tech Experts Annually. Egypt’s “Digilians” initiative aims to train 5,000 young professionals yearly in AI, cybersecurity, and IT to boost digital exports and employment. The program, backed by President El-Sisi, includes full residency training at the Military Academy, partnerships with major firms, and master's degree opportunities. 

🛠️Canada Commits $67M to Train 30,000 Workers for Green Economy. Canada is investing $67M in 10 union projects to train 30,000 tradespeople in green skills from 2025 to 2030. The initiative supports the shift to a low-carbon economy, aligning with Canada’s housing strategy and clean energy goals. It complements broader workforce investments, ensuring skilled workers lead sustainable construction and clean energy projects, securing jobs and economic growth.

Green Skills

💡 Alaska launches statewide workforce development plan. The Alaska Workforce Alliance (AWA), formed by the Alaska Safety Alliance and the Department of Labor, will implement "Alaska’s Workforce Future" to address skill gaps and boost job opportunities. The initiative aims to expand training, enhance career pathways, and attract skilled workers.

🤝 Powercons Core partners with YCMOU. Powercons Core and YCMOU have teamed up to address the growing demand for skilled workers in India's clean energy sector. The partnership aims to offer specialized training to enhance the country's workforce capabilities. This collaboration will equip individuals with the necessary skills for renewable energy jobs.

🧑‍🎓 TCV launches a green skills program to upskill wildlife conservation trainees along the John Muir Way. This initiative, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, aims to enhance biodiversity, provide hands-on training, and empower individuals from deprived areas with green skills, contributing to Scotland’s low-carbon future.

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

🌐 Maybank and TikTok Shop Malaysia launched the ASEAN SME Upskilling and Digitalisation Programme. This will help SMEs integrate digital commerce. The initiative begins in Malaysia with a webinar, workshop, and six-month accelerator plan, focusing first on women entrepreneurs under Maybank’s HERpower initiative. Women-led SMEs, currently 20% of all SMEs, aim to reach 25% by 2026.

📶 Accenture and Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) launched the ‘CBD AI and Data for the Future’ program. It is the UAE’s first enterprise-wide data literacy initiative in banking. Employees will gain certifications in Data and AI, enhancing digital skills to meet evolving customer needs. Udacity, part of Accenture, provides hands-on training, expert-led sessions, and industry insights. 

💡 Omantel and TeKnowledge launched an AI skilling program for employees. The initiative combines onsite and virtual training, equipping staff with AI-driven skills across technology, operations, and commercial divisions. Omantel aims to enhance customer experiences and position Oman as a digital economy leader. As a Microsoft partner, TeKnowledge brings large-scale AI skilling expertise, supporting Omantel’s goal of driving sustainable innovation and technological advancement.

Health Skills

🧑‍⚕️ Metropolis Foundation awards $11M in scholarships and research grants at MedEngage Summit 2024-25. The initiative awards scholarships and research grants to 353 medical students at the 7th MedEngage Summit 2024-25 in New Delhi. The program supports education, research, and skill development for MBBS and postgraduate students.

🧑‍🎓 Northeast State gets $233K grant to boost rural healthcare workforce in East Tennessee. The funding will support short-term programs for roles like medical assistants and phlebotomists. It targets adult learners and aims to improve healthcare access in eight counties from July 2025 to June 2026.

💉 New EU-funded program boosts health workforce and mental health services in Armenia. WHO/Europe and the EU  in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Armenia launched an initiative that aims to improve retention, education, and community-based care. This initiative is part of a broader 5-country Eastern Partnership effort for health resilience.

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