AGP Executive Report

AI & Hiring Trends: DataCamp says AI and data job postings jumped 80% year over year, with AI engineering up 255% and data science managers averaging nearly $190,000—fuelled by startup growth and VC investment. Career Pay Growth: A Wave Connect study highlights 10 roles where earnings rise fastest over decades, pushing job seekers to plan for long-term wage growth, not just starting pay. Workplace Behavior: “Boomerang employees” are surging as former staff return—seen as a lower-risk talent pool when companies hire cautiously and workers want stability. Learning & Skills: A Bernama study finds Malaysians use TikTok for accessible learning, self-improvement, and community belonging, with educators saying engaging content can support lifelong study. Education Pathways: A Whatcom County database aims to make dual-credit CTE options easier to navigate for students and families. HR Career Spotlight: A UNILAG graduate landed an HR business partner role at Dangote Petroleum and Petrochemicals, sharing his milestone online.

Workforce Skills Mapping: A new U.S. analysis of 433M job postings (2010–2024) shows regional hiring demand is driven by the complexity of skills listed, not just job counts—useful for planning higher-wage growth. Healthcare Career Pipeline: Iowa Hospital Association launched an Iowa Health Education Portal to steer students into nursing and radiologic tech programs across the state. Higher Ed Job Security: Massachusetts universities are cutting staff more often as budgets tighten, with laid-off workers saying “stability” has become temporary. Retention Strategy Gap: A 2026 report finds only 39% of healthcare orgs have a formal physician/APP retention plan, and unclear ownership is a top problem. Digital Skills & Jobs: Guam’s labor department is rolling out AI-powered workforce services, while Pakistan welcomed Google’s first local office as a digital-economy milestone. Job Search Risks: A Chicago-area job seeker was targeted by a sophisticated remote-work scam involving video interviews and fake paperwork/checks. Paid Trade Pathways: A new Home Repair Academy is creating paid routes into skilled trades. Youth Employment: MassHousing awarded funding for summer job opportunities for 90 youth in Massachusetts. Career Coaching & Purpose: A CSU Pueblo leader and other educators highlight mentorship and “why” as key to career growth.

Pay Satisfaction Gap: Philippines workers report high pay fairness (80% fairly/well paid) but only 59% are happy with salary, and 45% say earnings still miss real cost-of-living needs—another reminder that “fair” doesn’t always mean “enough.” UK Hiring Cooldown: Britain’s vacancies fell to 707,000 (lowest in 5+ years), with private-sector pay growth weakening, making job switches and entry-level searches tougher. Tech Hiring Volatility: A fresh graduate says Oracle revoked its offer again just days before joining, highlighting how unstable hiring can be even after formal steps. AI & Entry-Level Pressure: New research points to a widening AI-driven hiring gap for ages 22–25 as entry roles shrink, while some AI-heavy firms still add early headcount. Career Switching Stories: After 25 years at Adobe, one tech veteran became a school bus driver—lower pay, but better fit and morale. Youth Opportunity Platforms: InternSync launched a swipe-based platform for high school internships and early roles, aiming to reduce reliance on personal networks. Paid Early-Career Programs: EY’s 8–12-month paid Career Residency is designed to give higher starting roles and stronger AI/skills training. Workplace Tech Rollouts: Walmart is training frontline staff to handle AI agent errors, showing HR’s growing role in managing AI expectations. Public Sector Pay: UK state pension rises look likely next April under the triple lock, with couples potentially gaining £1,000+ a year.

Paid Leave Gap: A new spotlight on U.S. lawmakers’ paid medical leave comes after Sen. Mitch McConnell stayed on the federal payroll while recovering, while many new mothers still lack guaranteed paid maternity leave. Workforce Pipelines: Queensland’s Minerals and Energy Academy hub in Rockhampton is set to connect 10,000 regional students to resources, energy, trades and STEM careers. Hiring Events: Uline is running a Reno warehouse hiring event (Aug. 20) with $26–$34 hourly pay and day-one benefits. Training for Employment: Canada is funding CNIB programs with $840k+ to help people who are blind, deafblind or have low vision build skills, get workplace experience, and find jobs. Construction Careers: New Jersey awarded nearly $7.5M in workforce training grants to push women and minorities into construction trades and related apprenticeships. Career-Tech Boost: Roanoke County Public Schools’ new CTE center is backed by $600k in donations to expand industry-level skilled trades training. Job Fairs: Kansas is hosting a virtual statewide job fair Aug. 27 via KANSASWORKS. Workplace Culture: Goodwill Kentucky CEO Amy Luttrell announced retirement after 47 years, including 14 as CEO.

Workforce Skills & Careers: New Zealand is rolling out a National Careers System Strategy to better connect school, training, apprenticeships and university to real jobs. AI & Hiring Pipelines: Lancashire is launching AI “bootcamps” for teens not in employment or education, while MTN adds an AI job board to its Skills Academy to bridge training and employment. Graduate & Entry-Level Jobs: FinTrU says its Belfast and Derry graduate programme will create dozens more roles, and Wales opens 35 new apprenticeship opportunities across transport, tourism, energy and education. Career Mobility: South Korea job seekers are increasingly “switching” roles, with nearly 3 in 10 exploring different work paths. Workplace Pay & Progress: A report highlights how many workers never negotiate raises, and how staying put can mean falling behind newer hires. HR Leadership: Indonesia’s Transform Talent 2026 stresses that real change depends on support, fair flexibility and helping people adapt—not just rolling out tools.

AI Skills Pay Premium: New labour market data says employers are paying more for judgment, communication and curiosity as AI gets better at routine writing and summarising—LinkedIn and the World Economic Forum both point to leadership and executive communication as fast-rising. Workforce Expansion: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore says Cloudforce’s AI platform expansion in Prince George’s County will retain 130+ jobs and add 250 new roles over five years. Training to Fill Gaps: Arizona nonprofit Fresh Start is training women for semiconductor technician work via an eight-week, women-only program tied to fast-growing local facilities. Job Fairs & Hiring: Northern NV Jobs announces a free Carson City career fair (Sept. 10) and Reno-Sparks career fair (Oct. 1) with on-site interviews. Career Scams Warning: A federal class-action alleges a “green-job” start-up recruited students for a paid program, then failed to pay nearly $1M in wages. Career Pathways Funding: Western Nevada College offers the William N. Pennington CTE scholarship for high-demand trades and healthcare credentials. Legacy & Careers: Baseball’s Tommy John dies at 83, remembered for pioneering the surgery that reshaped pitching careers.

Cyber Careers Pipeline: Qatar’s National Cyber Security Academy joined a “My Career – My Future” job-shadowing programme for 350+ secondary students, including those with disabilities, with 33 public and private partners. AI & Youth Employment: South Korea reports young workers (15–29) lost 191,000 jobs year-on-year in July, with the biggest hits in information/communications and professional services—showing AI pressure moving deeper into white-collar roles. AI-Proof Hiring Signals: Resume Genius highlights 15 “AI-proof” careers expected to keep growing, with top earners like computer and information systems managers and nurse practitioners. Job Search Reality Check (Age Bias): A 57-year-old job seeker describes mass applying and the humiliation/panic of restarting after resigning, pointing to how older candidates face different expectations. Workforce Development in Action: Guam’s Career Tech High Academy Charter School is making its case for renewal, citing hands-on training in construction, safety, accounting, drones, maritime and diving certifications. Local Hiring & Services: Jefferson City’s new Olive Garden opens, bringing training and jobs to the community. Career Mobility Inside Firms: A Ghana study finds professionals increasingly advance within existing organisations, with internal moves outpacing switching employers.

Manufacturing Jobs Boost: Indiana Gov. Mike Braun announced Vulcraft’s $59M expansion in St. Joe, adding up to 20 high-wage jobs by end of 2027. Career Training Pipeline: Agua Fria Union High School District approved a fire/EMS career program through June 30, 2027, with students earning industry credentials and community college credits via local fire-department partnerships. Education-to-Work Flexibility: A new push urges colleges to rethink pathways for students juggling work and family, using AI-enabled support to make enrollment and career relevance less confusing. AI and the Job Market: Coverage highlights how AI is reshaping entry-level expectations and why students are rethinking majors and job-search strategies. Pilot Career Costs Shift: PSA Airlines told cadets they’ll now pay for required ATP/CTP training, signaling pressure on the long-talked-about pilot shortage narrative. Skills Shortages in Health & Education: Australia’s shortage list shows many essential roles still lack workers even with strong starting pay, especially teaching, policing, and nursing. Workforce Networking: MTN Ghana launched the Bright Scholars Alumni Network to connect 1,200+ scholarship beneficiaries with mentoring and opportunity. Sports-to-Work Attention: Joshua Báez’s record-breaking MLB debut and Djokovic’s Cincinnati heat struggle are getting mainstream attention, but the bigger HR takeaway is how performance pressure and health readiness matter across careers.

Higher Ed & Credentials: Arizona State University launched a new bachelor’s in content creation, sparking debate over whether influencer work deserves a degree. Workforce Development: Alabama leaders warn the state needs more skilled workers and are expanding training models, including workforce academies tied to correctional facilities. Youth Skills & Jobs: India’s PM Modi announced free online coaching plus AI training for 1 crore youth, aiming to cut the cost barrier to exam prep and career pathways. Public Sector Hiring: Pakistan’s FPSC opened 524 federal vacancies (BS-16 to BPS-20) with applications due Aug. 21 and exams starting Oct. 10. Adult Learning: SUNY Orange highlights tuition-free options for eligible adults via SUNY Reconnect and short, career-focused programs through SUNY Orange Plus. Career Market Reality: A new hiring-manager breakdown points to common rejection drivers like untailored CVs, mismatched salary/location expectations, and weak role-specific enthusiasm. AI & Work: OpenAI leadership shakeups add to the broader churn around AI-driven job expectations and early-career hiring. Workplace Equity: A piece challenges the “mom-cession” narrative, arguing labor-force participation trends for Black mothers are more complex than headlines suggest.

Workforce & Training Expansion: North Central Michigan College will open the Martin Jahn Technology Center Aug. 31, part of a $22M CATEE push to grow advanced manufacturing, engineering tech, and skilled trades—aimed at meeting regional workforce needs. More Skills, More Seats: Mahoning County Career and Technical Center secured $11.5M (state) plus $5.03M (ACICP) for new cyber, networking, automation, welding, robotics, engineering, and health/wellness facilities, with enrollment starting this fall. STEM & Manufacturing Jobs: Moog marked its 75th anniversary with a $150M, 150,000-square-foot Advanced Integrated Manufacturing facility, adding production capacity and workforce development plus STEM scholarships. Career Pathways for Youth: Madison schools ran a Flight and Drone CTE summer program to spark aviation career interest, while Northeast Texas Community College is enrolling for a limited-space plumber pre-apprentice program starting Sept. 8. Local Hiring & Community Support: Denver’s Career Services Board will hold a public hearing Aug. 20 on 2027 employee health insurance plans, and the city is also moving forward with energy code updates via virtual hearings starting Aug. 19.

Workforce & Hiring Tech: MTN rolled out an AI-powered job board across 11 African markets via its Skills Academy, aiming to connect youth with openings. Mentorship & Career Support: OhHello says workers are turning to virtual mentorship for practical, day-to-day guidance—especially when they feel stuck, need early-career direction, or are planning a pivot. Nursing Pipeline: USF expanded its nursing school with a 42,000-square-foot addition, targeting 500 more graduates to help ease Florida’s ongoing nurse shortage. Immigration & Startup Jobs: An H-1B AI engineer alleges he was fired shortly after returning to care for his critically ill father, raising concerns about equity cliffs and visa-linked job security. Career Transitions: The Phillies hired former pitcher Colin Peluse as a pitching coach in player development after his playing career ended. Commonwealth Opportunities: The UK opened applications for the 2026/27 Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (about 40 fully funded fellowships), with a deadline of Aug. 25, 2026. Workplace Learning: Roanoke County Schools kicked off the year with major facility upgrades and a renewed focus on student support.

Local Hiring Event: Fort Hays State University is hosting a Part-time Job Fair on Aug. 26 (2–4 p.m.) and is inviting employers to register by Aug. 20 for space-limited booths. Career Pathways & Skills: Bermuda’s Steam Academy summer program is pairing hands-on STEM with career orientation for students aged 13–15, including site visits to local workplaces. Degree vs. Work-Based Routes: A new push for apprenticeships and on-the-job training is gaining momentum, with coverage highlighting how starting work at 16 can reduce debt and speed up real experience. Resume Support: CSU’s Career Center is expanding “resume checker” help to catch mistakes before deadlines hit, aiming to reduce the stress of last-minute applications. Workforce Development: Regina Trades and Skills Centre is helping internationally trained workers restart careers, with one student moving into an instructional assistant role after program training. Job Openings: Lake County has selected Sari W. Montgomery as an associate judge, filling a vacancy after a retirement.

Job Fairs & Hiring Events: Fort Hays State University is inviting area employers to a free Part-time Job Fair on Aug. 26 (2–4 p.m.); employers must register by Aug. 20. Workforce Development: South Africa’s Disability Workplace Readiness Summit in Johannesburg is set to connect 1,200 final-year students with disabilities to 40+ employers for possible internships, learnerships, and jobs. Skills & Employment Programs: Malaysia’s Jobstreet reports job ads up 33% year-on-year in H1 2026, while skill underemployment remains high (35.2%), highlighting a mismatch between openings and worker skills. Direct Hiring Notices: Kenya’s Java House says it’s hiring 150 staff across multiple locations, with applications due Aug. 16; Super Metro is seeking an Operations and Human Resource Manager in Nairobi, applying in person by Aug. 14. AI Recruiting Pressure: A report says AI interviews increasingly happen late at night, and AI screening is now widespread—raising concerns about candidate experience and fairness. Semiconductor Jobs: Lam Research plans to add about 200 roles in Singapore, mostly engineering and technical positions tied to AI chip demand.

Workforce Training & Funding: Delaware launched its Workforce Pell Program, expanding Pell Grants to short-term training for in-demand jobs, with the state’s Office of Workforce Development certifying eligible programs. Job Fairs & Hiring Events: Beaufort County’s Workforce Development Team set a Sept. 17 Job & Resource Fair in Washington, NC, and Fort Hays State University announced a Part-time Job Fair (Aug. 26) for employers to connect with students. Cybersecurity Careers: Global Relay is hiring a Director, Cyber Security Operations, leading operational cyber defense and building a high-performing team. Workforce Development Grants: Delaware’s Workforce Pell plus other training pushes underscore a broader push to fund faster pathways into skilled roles. Youth Employment Pressure: Jordan’s Labour Observatory flagged youth unemployment at 45% (ages 15–24) and warned that job growth isn’t yet translating into decent, stable work. HR & Skills Strategy: Singapore’s HR leaders are urged to treat AI-ready capability as a competitive advantage as job skills shift rapidly. Military Spouse Hiring: Fort McCoy expanded a Military Spouse Hiring Initiative to help employers value transferable skills despite frequent moves. Career Support for People: The FAA’s gamer-targeted air traffic controller hiring drive is moving toward its goal, aiming to fill a long-running shortage.

Second-career support for veterans: Malaysia’s Armed Forces Veterans Affairs unit says it will expand collaborations with private firms to widen second-career options for ex-servicemen, pairing job matching with training and upskilling. Education admissions timing: Malaysia’s higher-education ministry will release UPUOnline® results for 2026/27 bachelor’s study for STPM/equivalent holders on Aug. 14, with acceptance/rejection confirmations running Aug. 15–23. Gender pay gap plan: A 2027–2028 national action plan is out for public discussion, targeting pay transparency, equal labor-market access, and more balanced leadership representation. Office hiring & real estate: Newmark and other brokers report improving U.S. office demand, but the recovery is split—tenants still favor Class A buildings with top amenities. Youth employment pipeline: Qatar’s DAAM and QCDC are backing a Youth Labour Market Readiness Programme with an AI career-advising platform, specialist guidance, and job-shadowing. Career fairs & local hiring: Fort Hays State University is hosting a free part-time job fair Aug. 26 for employers to meet students. Skills vs AI anxiety: Multiple reports push the message that AI is changing hiring and job expectations, not instantly wiping out work—so jobseekers should build AI-relevant skills. Workforce funding for health: A county HHS board approved requests for more mental and public health funding, citing underfunded mandates and unstable grant support.

Youth Employment Watch: The ILO says global youth unemployment rose in 2025 to 12.4% (67M young people), with NEET climbing to 20%—and warns AI could worsen job pressure. Workforce Training Funding: Massachusetts’ Healey-Driscoll administration awarded $15.5M to train 1,636 jobseekers for in-demand skilled trades, construction, and manufacturing roles. Career Pathways in Schools: Qatar’s DAAM and Qatar Career Development Centre backed an AI-powered youth career advising push for grades 9–12, including job shadowing and workplace readiness. Hiring & Skills Access: The FAA hired thousands of air traffic controllers after recruiting “gamers,” meeting 94% of its goal and bringing in 2,000+ candidates via a streamlined process. Local Job Leads: Fort Hays State University hosts a part-time job fair Aug. 26 for employers; Casino Del Sol runs hiring events Aug. 13 and Aug. 27 ahead of a planned 500-job opening. Education-to-Work: Co-op programs are expanding workplace experience for students, with longer placements giving interns more responsibility.