Latest news with #GrowthPlan
BBC News
11-08-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Free AI training for adults in West Midlands growth plans
All adults in the West Midlands could be given free training on how to use artificial intelligence (AI) under plans by the region's Parker aims to set up an AI Academy as part of a joint project with leading tech companies, colleges, universities, specialist providers and community £10m proposal, which is part of his recently announced Growth Plan for the West Midlands, would provide local people with clear career routes into the sector and upskill existing workers, he are currently more than 140 AI companies that employ nearly 70,000 people in the West Midlands. They have been developing and applying AI across manufacturing, healthtech, fintech (financial technology), creative industries, retail and public three-year AI training programme would build on that foundation, Mr Parker added. In May, the University of Wolverhampton launched the Centre for Cyber Resilience and Artificial Intelligence (CYBRAI).And the University of Birmingham, which uses AI in health and robotics, and Coventry University and the Digital Futures Institute at Aston University are also leading in areas like cybersecurity, fintech and supply chains. 'Being left behind' "In an age where artificial intelligence is revolutionising industries, the need to give all our communities the AI skills to secure high-quality jobs is economically imperative," Mr Parker said."As jobs become increasingly digital and data-driven, AI will become a core skill just like English or maths. So, if we don't make AI skills training a priority and readily available to all, then lots of people risk being left behind."That's why I want to make the West Midlands the number one place in the UK for AI skills training. Avoiding an AI skills divide isn't just a matter of fairness - it's crucial to our Growth Plan."No site has been specified for the new academy, which is part of a wider £30m package included in the Growth Plan towards support for local skills the plan in Wolverhampton last month, Mr Parker said it aimed to create 100,000 new jobs and see "a series of major investments" for towns, cities and high streets, along with 120,000 new homes. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Euractiv
04-07-2025
- Business
- Euractiv
The EU's Moldova dilemma
Moldova wants to leapfrog Ukraine on its path to EU membership, giving Brussels a dilemma on how to reward Chișinău's reform drive without alienating Kyiv. Moldova will host its first-ever summit with the EU on Friday – a symbolic milestone that underscores the country's accelerating pivot towards Brussels. "The summit elevates the relationship to a whole new level, recognising Moldova's strategic importance for the EU," Moldova's Deputy Prime Minister, Cristina Gherasimov, told Euractiv in Brussels. Yet, behind the ceremonial warmth, a hard political question looms: Can Moldova advance on its own, breaking the tandem it has maintained with Ukraine since both countries received candidate status in 2022? Leaving Ukraine 'behind'? A key deliverable is expected to be the inclusion of Moldova into the EU roaming policy, unlocking swift pre-financing under the EU's Growth Plan and cash for infrastructure projects, according to the most recent draft summit declaration, seen by Euractiv."On accession, (the summit) helps build the momentum needed to move forward with negotiations, by demonstrating both political will and progress on reforms," Gherasimov said. Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has been unequivocal on Ukraine – they won't be joining on his watch. The ultimate prospects of both countries remain at the mercy of Budapest, which retains a firm veto over the EU's accession process. Brussels looks ready to allow Moldova to inch forward, according to the most recent draft summit declaration, seen by Euractiv. The summit could see a pledge to open negotiations on the so-called 'fundamental cluster' – the package of rule-of-law, judicial, and anti-corruption reforms that countries must implement before aligning with the EU's rulebook in other areas. Yet the language has been noticeably softened, according to EU officials. An earlier version had pledged to open all six negotiating clusters, but that commitment has been removed, reflecting hesitancy among EU countries wary of moving too quickly. Officially, the two countries are not tied together, as was the case with North Macedonia and Albania in the past, where neither could have moved without the other until EU leaders removed that provision. Kyiv and Chișinău had merely made a political pact to support each other and advance their reforms in lockstep. But this is by no means binding. Concerns about the optics of un-fastracking a Ukraine still crippled by war, however, have led to some confusing messaging from Brussels, including from Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos. 'Many feel that we can't give the impression of leaving Ukraine somehow behind, especially not after they've committed to a reform push under the worst war circumstances,' one EU diplomat said. Denmark, too, which just took over the EU's six-month presidency, remains uncertain when it will be able to move ahead with the next accession steps. Russia looming For Moldova's President Maia Sandu, even such partial progress would be a political windfall. EU membership enjoys broad support at home, and Sandu has staked her reputation on bringing her country closer to Brussels. Her pro-EU platform won her re-election and an EU membership referendum last autumn, despite the polls being marred by alleged Russian meddling. Russian interference could again play a role in the country's parliamentary elections this September. The summit declaration is expected to strongly condemn Moscow's 'persistent hybrid threats,' from energy blackmail to disinformation campaigns designed to destabilise Moldova's democracy. It will also call on Russia to withdraw its troops from the pro-Russian separatist Transnistria region, where Moscow has maintained a military presence since the 1990s. 'Already now, we are seeing efforts [by Russia] to downplay the significance of the summit of our engagement (…) a full-scale information war has been launched against Moldova, and the strategy is pretty clear,' one EU official said. With the summit, 'the EU wish is to show Moldovan citizens, [but] also those who try to undermine their choices, that the EU is there, the EU supports Moldova, and Moldova does not stand alone,' a second EU official said. (om)
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EU says it has begun to ease sanctions on Kosovo
(Reuters) -The EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas on Thursday said the bloc has begun to lift sanctions on Kosovo, but that the process would be conditional on a sustained de-escalation of violence and hostilities in the north. The European Union placed economic curbs on the country in 2023 for its role in tensions in the Serb-dominated north, where leftist Albanian nationalist Prime Minister Albin Kurti has sought to extend government control. The bloc cut at least 150 million euros ($170 million)in funding, Reuters found. "As a sign of our commitment, I can announce that the EU has begun to gradually lift measures introduced in June 2023," Kallas told reporters in Pristina. "The decision opens the door for greater opportunities for crossovers, development and also closer ties with Europe. But it's conditional on sustained de-escalation in the North." Kallas also urged Kosovo's political parties to end disputes that have blocked the formation of a new government after February elections, saying functioning institutions were needed to secure EU membership. Kurti has repeatedly failed to secure the election of a new speaker, prompting fears of an economic backlash after months of political stalemate in one of Europe's poorest countries. Lawmakers have been meeting every 48 hours since mid-April to elect a new speaker, a step required before Kurti, who failed to win a majority in a February election, can try to form a coalition government. Kallas, who earlier on Thursday also visited Serbia, said that the 27-member bloc was opened to enlargement and wanted Kosovo to take advantage of the bloc's 6 billion euro Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. "For that to happen, Kosovo needs functioning institutions that can effectively implement reforms, and that's why I encourage all parties to break the political stalemates and swiftly form a government," she said. Both Kosovo and Serbia aim to join the European Union, but in order to make progress they need to normalise ties with each other and establish diplomatic relations. In 2013 the parties agreed to an EU sponsored dialogue, but little progress has been made. ($1 = 0.8866 euros)
Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
EU says it has begun to ease sanctions on Kosovo
FILE PHOTO: Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas arrives at the 6th European Political Community summit at Skanderbeg Square in Tirana, Albania May 16, 2025. Leon Neal/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo EU says it has begun to ease sanctions on Kosovo The EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas on Thursday said the bloc has begun to lift sanctions on Kosovo, but that the process would be conditional on a sustained de-escalation of violence and hostilities in the north. The European Union placed economic curbs on the country in 2023 for its role in tensions in the Serb-dominated north, where leftist Albanian nationalist Prime Minister Albin Kurti has sought to extend government control. The bloc cut at least 150 million euros ($170 million)in funding, Reuters found. "As a sign of our commitment, I can announce that the EU has begun to gradually lift measures introduced in June 2023," Kallas told reporters in Pristina. "The decision opens the door for greater opportunities for crossovers, development and also closer ties with Europe. But it's conditional on sustained de-escalation in the North." Kallas also urged Kosovo's political parties to end disputes that have blocked the formation of a new government after February elections, saying functioning institutions were needed to secure EU membership. Kurti has repeatedly failed to secure the election of a new speaker, prompting fears of an economic backlash after months of political stalemate in one of Europe's poorest countries. Lawmakers have been meeting every 48 hours since mid-April to elect a new speaker, a step required before Kurti, who failed to win a majority in a February election, can try to form a coalition government. Kallas, who earlier on Thursday also visited Serbia, said that the 27-member bloc was opened to enlargement and wanted Kosovo to take advantage of the bloc's 6 billion euro Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. "For that to happen, Kosovo needs functioning institutions that can effectively implement reforms, and that's why I encourage all parties to break the political stalemates and swiftly form a government," she said. Both Kosovo and Serbia aim to join the European Union, but in order to make progress they need to normalise ties with each other and establish diplomatic relations. In 2013 the parties agreed to an EU sponsored dialogue, but little progress has been made. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
EU says it has begun to ease sanctions on Kosovo
FILE PHOTO: Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas arrives at the 6th European Political Community summit at Skanderbeg Square in Tirana, Albania May 16, 2025. Leon Neal/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo (Reuters) -The EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas on Thursday said the bloc has begun to lift sanctions on Kosovo, but that the process would be conditional on a sustained de-escalation of violence and hostilities in the north. The European Union placed economic curbs on the country in 2023 for its role in tensions in the Serb-dominated north, where leftist Albanian nationalist Prime Minister Albin Kurti has sought to extend government control. The bloc cut at least 150 million euros ($170 million)in funding, Reuters found. "As a sign of our commitment, I can announce that the EU has begun to gradually lift measures introduced in June 2023," Kallas told reporters in Pristina. "The decision opens the door for greater opportunities for crossovers, development and also closer ties with Europe. But it's conditional on sustained de-escalation in the North." Kallas also urged Kosovo's political parties to end disputes that have blocked the formation of a new government after February elections, saying functioning institutions were needed to secure EU membership. Kurti has repeatedly failed to secure the election of a new speaker, prompting fears of an economic backlash after months of political stalemate in one of Europe's poorest countries. Lawmakers have been meeting every 48 hours since mid-April to elect a new speaker, a step required before Kurti, who failed to win a majority in a February election, can try to form a coalition government. Kallas, who earlier on Thursday also visited Serbia, said that the 27-member bloc was opened to enlargement and wanted Kosovo to take advantage of the bloc's 6 billion euro Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. "For that to happen, Kosovo needs functioning institutions that can effectively implement reforms, and that's why I encourage all parties to break the political stalemates and swiftly form a government," she said. Both Kosovo and Serbia aim to join the European Union, but in order to make progress they need to normalise ties with each other and establish diplomatic relations. In 2013 the parties agreed to an EU sponsored dialogue, but little progress has been made. ($1 = 0.8866 euros) (Reporting by Daria Sito-Sucic; Editing by Conor Humphries)
