🛠️ Skills and Workforce #24

In this week’s summary, India’s Skill Ministry and WEF launched India Skills Accelerator to boost upskilling in AI, robotics, and sustainable energy. In Australia, the labor market showed signs of weakening in March 2025, with unemployment rising to 4.1% ahead of new US tariffs. Saudi Arabia launched the National Skills Platform to prepare its workforce for automation-driven job shifts by 2030. 

EU launched Climate and Digital Skills Academies to train workers in AI and renewable energy Shaping Europe’s digital future; Suzuki Motor Gujarat initiated a job drive to employ and train 10th‑pass youth in automotive manufacturing; Caterpillar pledged $100M toward global worker upskilling initiatives; and the US Navy–Macomb M3 initiative will train 384 maritime manufacturing workers by early 2027. In digital skills, Nigeria’s NITDA partnered with SecDojo to launch a Cybersecurity Academy. Corndel, Imperial, and Microsoft introduced an Enterprise AI Academy to train 10,000 professionals by 2025. Healthcare workforce initiatives include Victoria’s digital training rollout.

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Global Labor Market Trends

💻 India ties up with World Economic Forum to bridge skills gap. ​India's Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, in partnership with the World Economic Forum, launched the "India Skills Accelerator" to bridge the nation's skills gap. This initiative focuses on upskilling and reskilling in areas like AI, robotics, and sustainable energy, aiming to prepare a future-ready workforce amid rapid technological changes.

👷🏾‍♂️ Australia's labour market softens before US tariffs take effect. Australia's labour market showed signs of weakening in March 2025, with the unemployment rate rising to 4.1% and only 6,600 new jobs added, far below expectations. This slowdown comes just before the US implements new tariffs, increasing uncertainty in global trade.

🚢 Saudi Arabia launches National Skills Platform to future-proof workforce. ​Saudi Arabia launched the National Skills Platform to equip its workforce with skills that are ready for the future, addressing the anticipated obsolescence of over 92 million jobs globally by 2030 due to automation and AI. The initiative aims to modernize training systems and align national talent with global trends, ensuring the Kingdom's competitiveness in the evolving job market.

Green Skills

🛰️ EU to Unveil Climate and Digital Skills Academies to Tackle Talent Shortages. The EU unveiled continent-wide plans to launch Climate and Digital Skills Academies. These institutions will train workers in AI, renewable energy, and other strategic sectors. The initiative drives green and digital transitions, aiming to address labor shortages and strengthen competitiveness through unified, future-proof skills development.

🌱 UK’s West Yorkshire Colleges Secure $3.5M for Green Skills Training. Nine colleges in West Yorkshire secured $3.5M from the UK’s Department for Education to upgrade training for green technologies. The program supports retrofitting, solar, and heat pump skills. It aligns with net-zero targets and supports employers across the region by embedding sustainability in workforce training and delivering green talent for the future.

🚙 Suzuki Launches Job Drive for 10th Pass Youth to Bridge Skill Gap in Auto Sector. Suzuki Motor Gujarat offers 500 jobs to 10th pass youth through its latest recruitment drive, with ₹15,067 monthly pay. The initiative blends employment with hands-on industrial training, equipping candidates for long-term roles in automotive manufacturing. It addresses entry-level skill shortages while opening pathways for rural and underqualified youth.

Advanced Manufacturing Skills

🐛 Caterpillar Pledges $100M to Upskill Advanced Manufacturing Workforce. Caterpillar is investing $100M over five years to equip workers with skills in AI, robotics, digital twins, CAD modeling, and IoT core to advanced manufacturing. The initiative will fund global training partnerships, develop industry-aligned curricula, and support upskilling programs aimed at preparing workers for 170 million projected new technology-driven jobs by 2030.

🏗️ Indolift Unveils Expert-Led Training Program. Indolift has rolled out a four-week training initiative in Kolkata, India, designed to improve technical expertise, safety protocols, and quality assurance for its engineers and technicians. The program, centered on advanced equipment operation and automation, aligns with India’s national skill development goals and boosts material handling operations. This effort underscores Indolift’s dedication to innovation and developing a skilled workforce in advanced manufacturing.

⚓ Navy-Macomb Program Trains 400 for Maritime Manufacturing by 2027. As part of the $50M Michigan Maritime Manufacturing (M3) Initiative, Macomb Community College and the US Navy launched a 17-week accelerated welding and CNC training program in Warren, MI. With $15.4M in Navy funding, the program aims to rebuild the maritime industrial base, training 400 workers by 2027. Graduates are already employed in high-precision fabrication roles at defense contractors like Dynasty Fab, which reports faster onboarding, lower retraining costs, and stronger production output from M3 hires compared to traditional entrants.

AI & Digital Skills

⚡ NITDA and SecDojo partner to build cybersecurity talent. Nigeria’s NITDA signed an MoU with SecDojo to enhance national cyber resilience through advanced training and capacity building. The partnership will establish a Cybersecurity Academy, offer simulation programs, and develop tailored curricula. 

⚙️ Corndel, Imperial, and Microsoft launch Enterprise AI Academy. The new initiative aims to train 10,000 professionals in AI by 2025, addressing workplace gaps in AI readiness. With 61% of employees lacking AI training and many using personal tools at work, the program targets skill development to support secure, strategic AI integration and drive organizational innovation.

🌐 Ericsson, MIEPECC partner to upskill Moroccan entrepreneurs. Ericsson and Morocco’s MIEPECC signed an MoU to empower entrepreneurs with digital skills. The collaboration will provide access to Ericsson’s educational initiatives, fostering essential skills for Morocco’s growing digital economy. The initiative aims to drive accessible digital innovation in the Kingdom, aligning with MIEPECC's vision.

Health Skills

💉 Victoria Boosts Digital Skills in Regional Healthcare. Victoria launched a digital training initiative for regional healthcare workers, starting with over 360 Grampians Health staff. The program covers AI, data management, and emerging healthcare technologies. Following the pilot, it will expand to over 7,000 staff across 11 local government areas, aiming to enhance digital capabilities and patient care in regional Victoria.

🧑🏾‍⚕️ Health Net and Centene Foundation Invest More than $9M in Initiatives to Expand and Strengthen California's Physician Workforce. Health Net and the Centene Foundation invested over $9M to expand California's physician workforce. The initiative focuses on engaging Californians at critical career milestones to address the state's physician shortage.

💾 Claude Moore Opportunities Receives $300,000 Gift to Support Northern Neck Healthcare Workforce. Claude Moore Opportunities received a $300K gift from The Anne Mullen Orrell Charitable Trust to enhance healthcare workforce development in Virginia's Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. Funding will support a regional coordinator and a Behavioral Health Technician Assistant program at Rappahannock Community College to address shortages in underserved areas.

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