Latest news with #workforcedevelopment
Gulf Business
4 hours ago
- Business
- Gulf Business
New whitepaper outlines AI-driven coaching trends in GCC
SPARK Dubai 2025/Image: Supplied As Gulf governments and private sector employers accelerate workforce development, digital coaching is fast becoming a critical pillar of regional talent strategies. This shift was at the forefront of SPARK Dubai 2025, where WeAce unveiled its latest whitepaper, Powering Talent and Growth in the GCC . The invite-only event, held at The St. Regis Downtown Dubai, brought together senior HR leaders, policymakers, and leadership experts to explore how leadership development is evolving in the face of technological disruption and changing expectations around inclusion, nationalisation, and continuous learning. Curated by WeAce in collaboration with SDA Bocconi School of Management, the evening also examined how coaching is moving from a niche, executive-only tool to a scalable, AI-enabled solution. The WeAce whitepaper highlighted how platforms like its own are now delivering multilingual, culturally localised modules and real-time analytics to make leadership development more accessible and measurable. 'The future of leadership is neuro-personalised, life-centric, and deeply human – even when guided by AI,' said Anuranjita Kumar, CEO & Co-founder of WeAce. 'Coaching must move beyond performance management to support purpose, wellbeing, and long-term growth.' Among the emerging trends identified in the whitepaper is the rapid expansion of AI-driven coaching in the UAE and beyond. According to the research, 75 per cent of Dubai-based Fortune 500 subsidiaries are expected to adopt AI-powered leadership tools by 2030. The UAE's digital coaching market, valued at $44.6m in 2023, is projected to reach $189.3m by 2034, growing at an annual rate of 14.1 per cent. Read: Importantly, coaching is now being evaluated with more precision. Global benchmarks cited in the whitepaper show that coaching can generate a return on investment of up to 788 per cent, driven by improvements in employee retention and productivity. The research also indicates that by 2030, 60 per cent of UAE-based leadership programmes are likely to include ESG-related content, underscoring the broader role coaching plays in shaping socially responsible leadership. Digital coaching is also playing a pivotal role in advancing nationalisation initiatives such as Emiratisation, enabling organisations to nurture agile, future-ready leaders in hybrid working environments. 'In a region as dynamic as the Middle East, the intersection of talent, technology, and trust will define competitive advantage,' said Alessandro Giuliani, Managing Director at SDA Bocconi Asia Center. 'Our role as leaders is to ensure that people – not just systems – remain at the heart of transformation.' 'The Middle East is not just adapting to change – it's shaping it,' added Nader Haffar, former chairman and CEO of KPMG Lower Gulf. 'Our future will be defined by how boldly we invest in talent, how wisely we deploy technology, and how deeply we build trust across business and society.' WeAce, now active across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, is among the companies leading this transformation. Its platform integrates behavioural coaching, structured mentoring, and AI-powered development tools in both English and Arabic, supported by a global network of experienced practitioners. With over 20 enterprise clients already onboarded in the region, WeAce is scaling up its presence to support the long-term transformation of the GCC's workforce.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New Workforce Career Center Trade School Opens in Atlanta, Empowering Local Communities through Career Education and Job Placement
Resource Hub in West Midtown Provides Job Training and Direct Pathways to Employment ATLANTA, August 01, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Workforce Career Centers proudly announces the opening of its Atlanta campus, a new trade school designed to meet the city's critical workforce demands while empowering underserved communities through training, certifications and real-world experiences that connect education to in-demand careers. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, America is facing a worker shortage crisis. Specifically, the skilled trades workforce is expected to experience a shortage of 2 million workers by 2030. Workforce Career Center addresses this by offering programming and training for students in high-demand industries through modern, hands-on education that leads directly to employment. Current program offerings include construction, culinary arts, healthcare, media, education, design and more. "We are thrilled to bring our proven workforce training model to the Atlanta community," says Marion Skinner, CEO of Workforce Career Centers. "Our mission is to prepare individuals for high-demand careers by ensuring they are equipped with the skills and certifications employers need most in this economy." Atlanta's Industry Leaders Partner with Workforce Career Center Workforce Career Center is collaborating with respected industry leaders in Atlanta, including Microsoft, Grady Health System, Atlanta Public Schools, DataBank, Georgia Workforce Development, Georgia Department of Labor, Georgia Tech OSHA Consultation Program, and the Georgia Adult Supervision for Probation and Parole. With support from Microsoft, Workforce Career Center plans to teach students high-level skills involving AI productivity tools. "This collaboration with Workforce Career Centers expands access to AI education and skills training," says Darrell Booker, Tech Community Acceleration Manager, Microsoft. "This program equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in an AI-driven world." Grady Health Systems will provide clinical training opportunities in medical programs, such as phlebotomy, while Atlanta Public Schools connects students to hands-on career pathways as a teacher's aide. "These early partners recognize the value of practical, workforce-aligned education – and they've chosen to help shape it with us," continues Skinner. "We're building the workforce these companies need, which benefits both our local communities and our economy." Workforce Career Center Grand Opening: August 2 Atlanta's Workforce Career Center is located at 1073 Huff Rd NW, Suite C, Atlanta, GA. Members of the media are invited to attend the official opening of the new Workforce Career Center on August 2 at 11 a.m. At the event, there will be a first look at the new facility as well as the opportunity to meet key partners and learn about how Workforce Career Center plans to transform the Atlanta workforce. For more information, visit About Workforce Career Centers Workforce Career Center is a nationally recognized trade school revolutionizing how people build careers, focusing on recession-proof industries, zero debt and job placement. Workforce Career Centers are dedicated to bridging the gap between education and employment through industry-relevant training and certifications. By equipping students with the skills employers demand, Workforce Career Centers help individuals succeed in today's competitive job market. View source version on Contacts Media Contact Elisa SuriTrevelino/Kelleresuri@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Bloomberg
30-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Brown Reaches $50 Million Deal With White House to Restore Funds
Brown University has reached an agreement with President Donald Trump's administration to restore $50 million in research funding, becoming the latest elite university to strike a deal in the White House's campaign to remake higher education. Brown said it will pay $50 million over the next decade to support workforce development programs in its home state of Rhode Island in exchange for the Trump administration agreeing to unfreeze research grants and drop investigations into the university's compliance with anti-discrimination laws with no finding of wrongdoing.
Yahoo
28-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Construction firm invests in next-gen leadership
A family-owned construction firm is set to strengthen the future with its new training programme. Beard, which has a Southampton office, launched its initiative, Skills to Build, to enhance workforce development. The move comes as the construction industry faces increasingly complex projects and regulatory challenges, raising the bar for team skills and technical expertise. The initiative aims to equip Beard's 350 employees in Southampton, Swindon, Bristol, Guildford, and Oxford with the skills to meet these demands confidently. EmpowerHer team supports women's growth at Beard Construction (Image: Beard Construction) The programme is built around three pillars: a virtual technical team, sector specialists, and external partners. Mike Hedges, the company's operations director, said: "We have a wealth of knowledge within our team and we are excited to have now developed a more structured approach to sharing skills and expertise, ensuring projects are delivered faultlessly for our customers. "The elements of Skills to Build create a support system that enhances project delivery, develops a resilient workforce, fosters collaborative working relationships, and builds long-term technical resilience across the company." Beard's focus on training saw more than 600 days of formal training delivered to employees over the past year. READ MORE: Cunard introduces over 30 new excursions for travellers This included 11 workers completing the firm's Leadership Development Programme, equipping them with the skills to hold senior positions in the near future. The success of this initiative has led to the creation of a 'Next Gen' edition of the training, aimed at helping young professionals develop leadership and management skills early in their careers. Melissa Barber, head of people and communications at Beard, said: "We're proud to invest in our people. "It ensures that we continue to grow and succeed together – our team are central to our success." A key part of her work was the creation of EmpowerHer, a bespoke initiative tailored for women in the construction industry. This aims to equip women with a growth mindset, teaching them how to communicate with clarity and confidence, give and receive feedback effectively, and develop resilience. Melissa added: "EmpowerHer is designed to address this, creating a safe space for our women to develop, challenge themselves, and build confidence."
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tyton Partners and Ufi Ventures Release Q2 2025 VocTech Market Report: AI Shockwaves, UK Industrial Strategy, and Transatlantic Divergence Take Centre Stage
LONDON, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tyton Partners, the leading strategy consulting and investment banking firm focused on the education sector, and Ufi Ventures, the UK's specialist investor in vocational technology (VocTech), today released their Q2 2025 VocTech Market Report. This quarterly publication explores the trends shaping vocational learning and workforce development across the UK, Europe, and North America. The second quarter of 2025 has been marked by increasing anxiety around artificial intelligence's disruptive impact on labour markets, a wave of significant UK policy announcements, and early signs of capital rotation from the US to Europe amid political volatility. Vocational education and training remain firmly in the spotlight as policymakers and investors confront mounting challenges tied to youth disengagement, employment shifts, and rapid technological change. Key Takeaways Labour markets are causing concern, even in the US. The UK government made a series of major policy announcements, many of which see increased investment in key sectors and skills. The detail is important and not yet here. Big Tech companies – including 'hyperscalers' such as OpenAI – are muscling in to the education space, likely in search of long-term users and increased engagement. The future of junior white-collar workers, and how they should be trained, is a key focus of debate. Being conscious of what may have previously been taken for granted (informal 'learning by doing' in particular) looks important. Companies who facilitate AI-driven HR workflows are raising sizeable funding, with some European businesses closing unusually large €20m+ Series A rounds. Alongside UK reforms, policy developments in the US and Europe are creating new dynamics. Germany's coalition is advancing ambitious investment programmes. In the US, escalating attacks on higher education and the erratic policy environment under the Trump administration may be triggering a shift of capital and student interest to the UK and Europe. Helen Gironi, Director at Ufi Ventures, commented: 'AI is shaking up workforce development from every angle. Employers, policymakers and learners are all being forced to adapt. At Ufi Ventures, we see opportunity in this disruption, but only for those who are ready to innovate and act with clarity.' Nick Kind, Managing Director at Tyton Partners, added: 'We are seeing a critical turning point. AI is accelerating change, but it is also highlighting systemic gaps in skills and training. With new policy commitments in the UK and a capital environment in flux, the landscape is as complex as it is promising. This report offers grounded insight into how to respond.' To access the full Q2 2025 VocTech Market Report, visit: About Tyton Partners Tyton Partners is the leading provider of strategy consulting and investment banking services to the global knowledge and information services sector. With offices in Boston and New York City, the firm has an experienced team of bankers and consultants who deliver a unique spectrum of services from mergers and acquisitions and capital markets access to strategy development that helps companies, organizations, and investors navigate the complexities of the education, media, and information markets. Tyton Partners leverages a deep foundation of transactional and advisory experience and an unparalleled level of global relationships to make its clients' aspirations a reality and to catalyze innovation in the sector. Learn more at About Ufi Ventures Ufi Ventures is the investment arm of Ufi VocTech Trust. Ufi supports the adoption and deployment of technology to improve skills for work and deliver better outcomes for all. By leveraging its depth of experience Ufi Ventures supports its growing portfolio through access to capital, and its wide expert pool and network. Learn more at Media ContactZoe Wright-NeilDirector of Marketing and Business Developmentzwrightneil@ Partners
