🛠️ Skills and Workforce #26

This week’s global labor market developments spotlight workforce transformation across sectors. Michigan launched a statewide Infrastructure Workforce Plan to train 5,000 workers by 2030, while UPS announced 20,000 layoffs linked to trade-related challenges. Belarus proposed accepting 150,000 Pakistani workers, raising EU migration concerns. 

Green skills gained momentum with Australia investing $20M in a new energy training center, India initiating 100,000 green internships, and New Jersey allocating $4.3M for clean energy job training. SMUD committed $532K to local green jobs and STEM education. Austin’s HICAM opened with Tesla partnerships, Florida’s IRSC secured $4M for training expansion, and Pennsylvania’s ALIC campus launched. On the digital front, Oracle and Saudi Arabia will train 50,000 in AI, UiPath will introduce free AI automation courses, and Ireland’s $26M DEPTH program will target digital upskilling. Healthcare investments include Wisconsin’s $1.7M training grants, Australia’s $129M care tech CRC, and Nigeria’s N110B upgrade of 18 medical universities to bolster healthcare training nationwide.

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Global Labor Market Trends

💻 Michigan Launches Plan to Train 5,000 New Infrastructure Workers by 2030. Michigan has unveiled a statewide Infrastructure Workforce Plan to train 5,000 new infrastructure workers by January 2030. The initiative focuses on building talent pipelines for critical roles in transportation, energy, and water systems, supporting economic growth while addressing the state’s evolving infrastructure and workforce development needs.. ​

👷🏾‍♂️ UPS Announces Layoffs, Citing Impact of Trump-Era Tariffs on Business.UPS is cutting 20,000 jobs in response to declining package volumes, partly attributed to Trump-era tariffs that have disrupted trade flows. The company pointed to rising costs and shifting supply chains as key factors behind the decision, highlighting broader economic pressures facing logistics and shipping sectors in a volatile trade environment.

🚢 Belarus Government Proposes Accepting 150,000 Pakistani Workers, Raising EU Border Concerns​. Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has offered to accept up to 150,000 Pakistani workers to alleviate Belarus's labor shortages. The move has sparked apprehension among EU neighbors, fearing it could lead to increased migration pressures on their borders and potentially be used as a political tool in regional tensions.

Green Skills

⚡ Australia Launches $20M National New Energy Skills Centre. The Australian Government announced a $20M investment to establish a National Training Centre in New Energy Skills in West Melbourne. This initiative aims to equip workers with the necessary skills for the renewable energy sector, addressing the growing demand for a skilled green workforce. 

🌱 India Launches 100,000 Green Internships Nationwide. India’s AICTE and 1M1B Foundation launched a program to offer 100,000 green internships focused on sustainability, energy, and climate innovation. The initiative aims to upskill engineering students nationwide, building a pipeline of climate-literate professionals to support India’s green transition and emerging net-zero economy.

☀️ New Jersey Allocates $4.3M for Green Workforce Development. New Jersey invests $4.3M to train workers for clean energy jobs, supporting solar, offshore wind, and environmental justice roles. The funding targets underserved communities, emphasizing equitable access to the green economy while addressing regional labor shortages in key sustainability sectors..

💰 SMUD Funds $532K for Local Green Jobs & STEM Training. Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) allocated $532K for workforce programs. Funding supports local clean energy job training, STEM education, and community health initiatives. The investment backs regional nonprofits and aims to build foundational skills in renewable energy and sustainability, focusing on youth engagement and equitable job access.

Advanced Manufacturing Skills

🏭 Austin’s HICAM Launches with ACC, Tesla Training Partnership. The Hayes Innovation Center for Advanced Manufacturing (HICAM) has opened a 50,000-sq-ft high-tech facility in East Austin to accelerate innovation and workforce development. Designed for startups and industrial R&D, HICAM offers prototyping space and advanced manufacturing equipment. It’s partnering with Austin Community College to run a nine-week training program for Tesla employees and others, positioning the site as a regional hub for robotics, additive manufacturing, and next-gen tech development.

🏗️ IRSC Secures $4M Grant to Expand Manufacturing Training Institute. The State Government of Florida has awarded $4M to Indian River State College to boost its new Institute for Industrial Manufacturing and Production Training. Housed at the $21M Eastman Advanced Workforce Training Complex in Fort Pierce, the center already provides hands-on learning in welding, HVAC, EV tech, and more. The funding will support training for up to 1,500 students annually, with expansion planned for IRSC’s Martin County campus.

🏭 Allegheny College Launches ALIC at Bessemer to Power PA’s Manufacturing Workforce. Allegheny College has officially opened ALIC at Bessemer, a new branch campus in Meadville, PA, focused on advanced manufacturing training and innovation. The campus blends liberal arts education with hands-on technical training, applied research, and start-up support, creating a future-ready workforce for northwestern Pennsylvania’s industrial economy.

AI & Digital Skills

⚡ Oracle Launches AI Training for 50,000 Saudis to Boost Digital Workforce. Oracle, in partnership with Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the National eLearning Center, has introduced the 'Mostaqbali' program to train 50,000 Saudi nationals in AI and digital technologies. This initiative supports Vision 2030 by enhancing local employment and driving digital transformation.

⚙️ UiPath Launches Free AI Automation Training to Empower Public Sector Workforce. UiPath has introduced a free training program, "Upskill to Agentic Automation," aimed at equipping public sector professionals with skills in agentic AI and automation. Accessible via UiPath Community and Academy, the initiative offers hands-on courses, mentorship, and certification opportunities to support career advancement amid evolving government workforce needs.

💻 $26M Digital Skills Programme Launched to Boost North-West Ireland’s Tech Workforce. The North-West Digital Employment Pathways Training Hub (DEPTH), a $26M initiative, aims to upskill over 2,000 participants in digital and cybersecurity fields. Launched at ATU Donegal, the programme offers flexible, certified training—from basic digital literacy to advanced cybersecurity—supported by EU PEACEPLUS and the Department of Further and Higher Education.

Health Skills

🏥 Wisconsin upskills 760+ workers with $1.7M in training grants. The Department of Workforce Development of the US awards $1.97M to 14 employers for upskilling unemployed, underemployed, and incumbent workers in healthcare, construction, manufacturing, and more. Funded programs include CNA Plus Geriatrics and engineering pathway training, with a focus on full-time employment and wage growth.

💡 $129M care tech CRC to boost workforce innovation across Australia. Griffith University joins 60 partners in the $129M Care Economy CRC, backed by $35M federal funding, to develop tech-enabled care solutions and upskill workers in aged care, disability, mental health, and community health. The initiative focuses on workforce capability, care tech, and data systems through a decade-long, La Trobe-led national collaboration.

💊 Nigeria commits N110B to upgrade medical training in 18 universities. The Federal Government, via TETFund, launches a N110B High Impact Intervention Project to rehabilitate medical schools across all six geo-political zones, enhancing training in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and nursing. Each institution will receive ~ N4B for infrastructure, including hostels and simulation labs, to upskill future healthcare professionals and boost enrolment over five years.

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