🛠️ Skills and Workforce Futures #07

HolonIQ is now tracking reskilling and upskilling initiatives that are critical in bridging workforce gaps. Impact industries are rapidly evolving, fueled by technological advancements, decarbonization, geopolitical dynamics, and socio-economic factors. These sectors require considerable workforce/professional development initiatives to enhance workers' capabilities, boost economic growth, and promote social well-being. Read on for this week’s insights.

🌎 Global Labor Market Trends

📈 US Jobless Claims Rise Unexpectedly, Hinting at Potential Labor Market Softening. New applications for unemployment benefits rose unexpectedly last week, adding to concerns about a possible cooling in the labor market. The Labor Department reported Thursday that initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased by 17,000 to a seasonally adjusted 242,000 for the week ending Dec. 7, surpassing economists' forecast of 220,000 claims.

📖 India leads the charge in global workforce upskilling amid technological revolution. The Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC) — an international forum for workforce development and labor market insights — has released a report shedding light on how rapidly evolving technologies are reshaping global employment.

📊 US Producer Prices See Steepest Hike in Five Months Amid Labor Market Volatility. In November, US producer prices rose significantly, driven by an avian flu-induced surge in egg prices. Despite overall inflationary pressures, a drop in certain service costs provided hope for disinflation. Labor market data showed increased unemployment claims, influencing expectations for monetary policy adjustments by the Federal Reserve.

🌿 Green Skills Map 

HolonIQ has launched the Green Skills Map, an open-source framework initiated to catalog, evaluate, and context components of the rapidly expanding field of green jobs. This comprehensive taxonomy will serve as a resource for understanding the full spectrum and complexity of green skills required across various sectors, thereby enabling a cohesive approach toward achieving net zero and decarbonizing the global economy. Green Skills Map spans 11 areas, 54 sub-areas, and 243 green skills clusters. A snippet of the map covering four areas has been included above. Explore the full map on greenskills.org.

🌎 Climate 

🔋 EIT Battery Academy trains 100,000 learners for green workforce transformation. EIT’s European Battery Alliance Academy has trained 100,000 learners, equipping Europe’s workforce with essential skills for the green transition. Offering tailored technical and foundational courses in 10 languages, the Academy has reached learners across Germany, France, Spain, Poland, and Romania. This milestone underscores EIT’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, setting the stage for future Net-Zero Industry Academies and expanding workforce services to include hiring, onboarding, and retention.

🌞 UHI Inverness opens a hub for green heating skills training. UHI Inverness has launched the Renewable Energy Training Hub, offering hands-on training with advanced air source heat pump technologies. Supported by industry leaders like Panasonic, Samsung, and Grant UK, the hub addresses Scotland’s green skills shortage and promotes sustainable heating solutions. Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the hub equips apprentices and professionals to decarbonize heating systems, future-proof homes, and transition from fossil fuels to sustainable technologies, advancing regional climate goals.

🏤 South West College secures €9.8M for green skills training. South West College has secured €9.8M through the PEACEPLUS program to launch the Green Accelerator Skills Programme (GRASP). Focusing on green skills in the construction sector, GRASP addresses areas like NZEB tradesperson training, PassivHaus design, and environmental auditing. With key collaborations, including Women into Construction, the program aims to train 2,000 employees over four years, equipping rural Fermanagh and Tyrone’s workforce for Net Zero challenges and sustainable innovation.

🚀 Space

👨‍🚀 Florida 4-H introduced space-based careers through STEM programs like Go for Launch! in partnership with Higher Orbits. This initiative connects 60 teens with astronauts and space experts to design experiments, with winners launching their projects to the International Space Station. Building on past success, such as a spirulina growth experiment, the program emphasizes critical thinking and leadership skills. Florida 4-H aims to prepare youth for careers in the expanding aerospace industry and beyond.

✈️ Airbus is laying off 5% of its defense and space workforce by mid-2026 to reduce costs and remain competitive. The layoffs will mostly affect corporate roles across Germany, France, the UK, and Spain, with no compulsory redundancies. Airbus faces challenges from cheaper satellites like SpaceX's Starlink, leading to a 22% drop in profits despite higher sales. Alongside cuts, Airbus is investing in “Project Bromo,” a joint venture to regain market share in satellite production.

🌍 Orbite raised $4M in Series A funding to scale operations, enhance marketing, and develop its Spaceflight Gateway Campus. A partnership with hospitality giant Accor will support campus operations and international expansion. Orbite’s “Experience Train Fly Program” offers luxury space exploration experiences, tailored training for various space readiness levels, and customized flight missions. By combining astronaut-level training with wellness and luxury, Orbite aims to redefine space hospitality and make space exploration more accessible to enthusiasts.

📱 Advanced Technology 

🤖 Microsoft launched an AI Skills Initiative to train 1M people in Australia and New Zealand by 2026. The program offers free resources, including AI Skills Navigator, Microsoft Learn, LinkedIn, and GitHub, targeting diverse groups and sectors like public services and education. It aims to equip individuals for roles in AI, data centers, and related fields as AI reshapes industries. The company also partners with governments and organizations to enhance the reach and importance of these initiatives.

🔌 Vietnam is ramping up efforts to build a skilled workforce for digital technology and semiconductors under a directive by Deputy PM Le Thanh Long. Key sectors include AI, IoT, blockchain, and semiconductors, aligning with the country's digital economy strategy through 2050. The Ministry of Education will lead curriculum development by 2025, supported by tuition reforms and specialized training centers. Universities and local authorities will establish targeted programs, while international partnerships will enhance global competitiveness. These initiatives aim to position Vietnam as a regional tech leader.

🖥️ FinX has raised $6M to expand its BFSI-focused upskilling programs. The startup will use the funds for geographic growth, product development, and acquisitions in the BFSI and tech training sectors. Founded in 2019, FinX collaborates with universities to provide vocational courses alongside degree programs. With over 40,000 students trained so far, the company will soon scale this to 100K students annually.

🩺 Health

💊 WHO seeks Regional Biomanufacturing Training Centres for LMIC workforce development. The WHO has invited expressions of interest for Regional Biomanufacturing Training Centres under its Workforce Training Initiative. These centers, addressing gaps in LMIC biomanufacturing capacity, will provide hands-on and online training aligned with WHO Academy standards. Partners will collaborate with universities and biotech industries, enhancing workforce readiness for vaccine and biologic production. Applications, open until February 28, 2025, support WHO's mandate to improve global health through equitable access to essential medical products.

🥼 HCC launches a dental assistant program with a $500,000 state grant. Halifax Community College received a $500,000 grant from the North Carolina Community College System to establish a Dental Assistant program. This short-term training initiative aims to address regional workforce shortages and prepare students for immediate employment in oral healthcare. By providing essential skills in months, the program supports the growing demand for dental assistants, who play critical roles in patient care and education, enhancing both local healthcare capacity and career opportunities.

💉 LSTM, NPMCN, and WBFA introduce obstetrics surgical training in Enugu. The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, NPMCN, and Wellbeing Foundation Africa launched an Advanced Obstetrics Surgical Skills training in Enugu, Nigeria. The program aims to strengthen maternal and newborn health by refining decision-making and surgical skills for 29 resident doctors and eight faculty trainers. Held at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, the initiative underscores a collective commitment to advancing Nigeria’s healthcare system and enhancing outcomes through expert-led, practical training in obstetrics care.

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