In other words, as far as can be told up to this point, addressing AI disruption in the US isn’t solely about dealing with widespread job loss; it’s about job quality, durability, and carving out new pathways to the American Dream.But it’s also critical to note that, while still not an entirely invalid concern, the idea that such a projection indicates a complete replacement of human workers with AI-powered software programs is likely a red herring. Instead of AI taking over the workforce, it appears far mo ...

Grant Helps Complete FIND's Expansion, Disaster Resiliency and Educational Programs    INDIO, Calif., Jan. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of America has awarded a $500,000 grant to FIND Regional Food Bank to help complete its capital campaign for a new 40,000 square-foot warehouse on its Food Security Campus. The largest food bank and distribution center in the region, FIND Regional Food Bank's new facility provides nearly three times the space to meet record-level demand. Continue Reading BofA I ...

Millions of people face barriers to securing stable, living-wage employment due to skills gaps, limited access to quality training, and rapidly evolving labor markets. Generation, a global nonprofit founded in 2015, exists to bridge this divide by equipping adults of all ages with the skills, support, and opportunities necessary to access meaningful careers. "At Blackbaud, we are deeply committed to fueling meaningful change," said Margaret "Maggie" Driscoll, chief people and culture officer, Blackbaud. "Ou ...

Key Takeaways SKIL saw a y/y revenue dip from a sharp GK decline, prompting management to review strategic alternatives.UDMY posted marginal revenue growth as subscriptions rose 8% y/y and paid subscribers jumped 88%.SKIL trades at a much lower forward P/E despite EBITDA resilience, driven by broad-based cost reductions.Both Skillsoft (SKIL) and Udemy (UDMY) are online learning platforms focusing on workforce development and lifelong learning. While SKIL is zeroing in on corporate digital learning solutions ...

Core Insights - The Southern California Wine Country Economic Development Council (EDC) emphasizes a strong workforce advantage that supports the region's growth in manufacturing, aerospace, healthcare, and life sciences [1][5]. Group 1: Economic Development - The Southern California Wine Country EDC is a nonprofit organization that has been aiding businesses in relocating, expanding, or starting up in a rapidly growing region for over 30 years [3]. - The EDC focuses on fostering sustainable growth, innovation, and quality of life through partnerships, incentives, and a business-friendly environment [3]. Group 2: Workforce and Talent Ecosystem - The region has a high concentration of veterans, providing industries like cybersecurity, defense, and manufacturing with skilled professionals known for their leadership and technical expertise [5]. - Collaborations with local educational institutions align academic programs with employer needs, producing job-ready talent for high-growth sectors such as aerospace, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and life sciences [5]. - The integration of higher education, veteran resources, and workforce development creates a resilient labor pool, making the region attractive for business expansion and providing residents with long-term career opportunities [5].

Blue Economy & Workforce Challenges - The blue economy is growing, but the workforce is significantly underdeveloped [1] - Mississippi needs 19,000 additional workers in the blue economy sector by 2035, exceeding current production capacity [10] - Current funding models do not prioritize the trades and blue economy jobs needed for the future [10] Proposed Solutions & New Model - Advocate for a new model that rewards institutions for producing more talent in needed fields [8] - Suggests integrating career technical education into the curriculum starting in sixth grade [12] - Encourages work-based learning opportunities for students, starting with broad exposure in middle school and allowing motivated 11th graders to enter the workforce or post-secondary education [15][16] - Industry partners need to actively define required competencies and workforce needs [25] Mississippi's Blue Economy Potential - Mississippi has over 82,000 miles (approximately 131,967 kilometers) of rivers and streams, equivalent to circling the globe three times [5] - The blue economy in Mississippi is a $30 billion (USD) per year industry [19] - The blue economy accounts for 42,000 jobs in Mississippi, and globally it represents a $3 trillion (USD) industry with 100 million jobs, expected to double in 5 years [19]

Industry Trends & Demands - The economy is energy-thirsty, with significant demand on the electric grid due to AI data center projects [1] - Electrification demand in the market cannot be met without manufacturers like Alamo, a large bushing manufacturer [2] - Demand for electricity throughout North America has never been greater [5] Workforce & Manufacturing - There is a shortage of engineers as manufacturing scales up across the US [4] - Manufacturing requires mechanical, quality engineers, and overall workforce support [1] - Hitachi is a premier manufacturing operation in West Tennessee [6] Education & Partnerships - Collaboration between manufacturers and educational institutions is crucial for success [4] - Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, has a strong engineering program and partners closely with manufacturers [5] - Mentorship programs, like the one between Susie and Oscar, are vital for developing talent [3] Location & Community - West Tennessee is at the center of conversations about the future of energy, advanced manufacturing, and education [4] - Jackson, Tennessee, offers a desirable lifestyle for young engineers with social opportunities [6] - The community at Hitachi feels like family [2] Operational Excellence - Alamo achieved zero downtime yesterday [2]

Core Points - Caterpillar Inc. and its employees pledged over $15.2 million to United Way chapters across the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and Panama for the 2025-2026 campaign, matching last year's record amount [1] - The Caterpillar Foundation recorded over 12,000 volunteer hours, generating additional matching funds for local charities [2] - Caterpillar has raised over $251 million since 2000 to support United Way's mission, with the Caterpillar Foundation matching employee donations dollar-for-dollar [3] - Caterpillar was recognized as a 2025 Leading Corporate Partner by United Way for raising over $5 million annually, supporting 508 chapters globally [4] - The Caterpillar Foundation announced a $250,000 grant to the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas for vocational training and work readiness services [5][6] - Caterpillar reported sales and revenues of $64.8 billion in 2024, positioning itself as a leading manufacturer in construction and mining equipment [6] - The Caterpillar Foundation focuses on building resilient communities through investments in human, natural, and basic services infrastructure [7]

Core Points - The American Water Charitable Foundation announced the recipients of its 2025 Community Advancement Grant, awarding $25,000 to 10 organizations in New Jersey to enhance access to opportunities for individuals with limited access to services [1][3] - The grants aim to support various community-related projects and programs, reinforcing the Foundation's commitment to community development and resilience [2][3] Grant Recipients - A Hand to Hold, Inc. will expand its Pathways to Success and Youth Hygiene Pantry initiatives [4] - Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Crisis Center of Warren County will increase community access to programs and services [4] - Feeding Hands, Inc. will expand its Kids in the Kitchen healthy cooking program [4] - HABcore, Inc. will enhance services supporting affordable housing [4] - Hairy's Dog House will expand outreach programs for children in hospitals [4] - JPELITE Enterprise will expand initiatives for the Young Engineers Enrichment Program [4] - Meeting Essential Needs with Dignity, Inc. (MEND) will extend its Mobile Market program [4] - New Jersey Blind Citizen Association, Inc. will improve the quality of life for the visually impaired [4] - Tara's Happy Boxes will expand wellness services for children [4] - VET4U, LLC will increase outreach programs for homeless veterans [4] Foundation Overview - The American Water Charitable Foundation focuses on three pillars of giving: Water, People, and Communities, having invested over $20 million in funding since 2012 [8] - The Foundation's initiatives are part of the Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program, which emphasizes high-impact projects across American Water's national footprint [3][8] Company Background - American Water is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., serving over 14 million people across 14 states [6] - New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in New Jersey, providing services to approximately 2.9 million people [9]

Core Insights - ComEd has been awarded the 2025 Community Partner Award by the Center for Energy Workforce Development for its innovative workforce programming aimed at local job seekers [1][2] - The Power Up Academy program, launched in 2023, addresses the shortage of technical talent in Illinois's energy sector by preparing adult learners for entry-level technical roles without requiring a college degree [3][4] Workforce Development Initiatives - Power Up Academy is a 14-week program that combines hands-on training in AutoCAD, electrical concepts, and project management with real-world scenarios and employer-led instruction [3] - The program is operated in partnership with Revolution Workshop, a nonprofit focused on workforce training, and has expanded to include 10 local engineering firms and educational institutions for accreditation [4][6] - ComEd's workforce training programs collectively reach 1,000 local job seekers each year, covering various roles from construction to energy efficiency and solar [6] Community Impact - The collaboration between ComEd and local organizations aims to create pathways for underserved individuals to achieve economic mobility and secure family-sustaining wages [5][6] - The Power Up Academy is recognized as the only program in Chicago providing a pathway into entry-level design and construction management positions within the utility sector without a college degree [4]