Two nonprofit organizations across awarded a total of $75,000 in funds MECHANICSBURG, Pa., Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Water Charitable Foundation, a philanthropic non-profit organization established by American Water (NYSE: AWK), the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., recently announced two organizations were awarded 2025 Workforce Readiness Grants, providing $75,000 in total funding to support communities served by Pennsylvania American Water. "We believe th ...

(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4572147- CAMDEN, N.J.,Dec. 3, 2025/PRNewswire/ --Excitement filled the room at Essex County College today as 11 participants graduated from New Jersey American Water's fifth annual Water Utility Pipeline (Water UP!) program. The graduating class, consisting of New Jersey residents from Newark, Irvington, Belleville, Bloomfield, West Orange, Union, and Plainfield, proudly received their certificates, marking the completion of their training in the workforce dev ...

Core Insights - ManpowerGroup has announced a strategic partnership with Maricopa Community Colleges to address the skilled labor shortage in the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing sectors [1][2][4] Workforce Development - The collaboration aims to create direct pathways to high-demand careers through specialized training programs that align with real-time employer needs [2][3] - ManpowerGroup will design programs focused on developing talent in AI/ML, engineering, STEM, and technician roles, including industry-recognized certifications and hands-on experience [5][6] Economic Impact - This initiative supports Arizona's vision to become a national hub for semiconductor innovation and manufacturing excellence, complementing efforts tied to the CHIPS and Science Act [7] - The partnership enhances the ability to deliver high-quality, job-aligned training and directly connect learners with careers in semiconductor manufacturing [6][7]

Core Points - Oak Valley Community Bank has received a $150,000 AHEAD grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco to support City Ministry Network's initiatives aimed at empowering Latino youth [1][4] - The grant will enhance the Hispanic Youth Leadership Clubs by introducing a "career ready" curriculum and launching Latino Leadership Circles at local colleges, providing coaching and professional networking opportunities [2][4] - The 2025 AHEAD Program awarded a total of $8 million in grants to 64 projects across Arizona, California, and Nevada, highlighting the demand for local economic development support [4] Company Overview - Oak Valley Community Bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oak Valley Bancorp, operating 19 branches across California, offering various loan and deposit products [6] - The bank is committed to community investment and economic development, aligning its mission with the goals of the AHEAD grant program [3][4] Industry Context - The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco plays a crucial role in supporting local lenders and community development initiatives, providing resources that drive economic vitality and affordable housing [8] - The AHEAD grant program is designed to address pressing needs in low- to moderate-income communities, reflecting a broader mission of economic support and community resilience [4][8]

Core Viewpoint - Bank of America is enhancing its commitment to skills-based hiring by planning to hire 10,000 military veterans and 8,000 individuals from community colleges over the next five years, alongside creating 700 new financial center jobs in growth markets [1][2][5] Group 1: Hiring Initiatives - The bank aims to increase military hiring, bringing the total number of veterans hired since 2015 to over 30,000 [3][6] - Bank of America will double its annual hires from community colleges from 800 to 1,600, recognizing their role in preparing skilled talent for the workforce [4] - The hiring initiatives are part of a broader strategy to provide economic opportunities and support workforce development across the country [2][5] Group 2: Workforce Development - The company emphasizes a skills-first approach to hiring, focusing on training and development through its Academy, which offers structured programs and resources for career growth [2][8] - The bank's commitment to workforce development includes hiring individuals without four-year college degrees, military veterans, and community college graduates [2][4] - The Academy provides high-quality training, job coaching, and access to opportunities for employees to advance in their careers [8] Group 3: Local Market Expansion - Bank of America is expanding its financial center network in states like Alabama, Idaho, Louisiana, and Wisconsin, creating 700 jobs in these new locations [5][7] - The expansion includes plans for 26 financial center openings over the next 18 months and an additional 37 openings in 2027 [7] - This local market expansion supports the bank's commitment to driving economic growth and creating job opportunities [5]

Core Insights - Carrier Global Corporation is expanding its commitment to developing future HVAC technicians through a collaboration with TechForce Foundation, which includes scholarships, recognition programs, and training initiatives [1][2][3] Group 1: Collaboration and Workforce Development - The partnership with TechForce Foundation aims to address the projected 400,000 HVAC technician job openings in the U.S. over the next decade, driven by retirements and increasing demand for skilled talent [2] - Carrier's TechVantage Initiative plans to hire 1,000 U.S. service technicians and train over 100,000 across its ecosystem, reinforcing its long-term growth strategy and operational resilience [1][2] Group 2: Educational Support and Resources - The collaboration will provide scholarships for financially disadvantaged students in HVAC programs and free access to Carrier's online training resources [6] - More than 70,000 students and working technicians will be engaged through TechForce Foundation's online network, which serves as a resource hub for career exploration, scholarships, and job opportunities [6] Group 3: Industry Recognition - A new HVAC, Homes & Buildings category will be established within the Techs Rock Awards Program to recognize and inspire top technicians in the field [6][4]

Core Insights - The Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA) announced the 2025 ACE Awards, recognizing impactful programs that transform workforce development in healthcare [1][2] - AstraZeneca's Young Health Programme (YHP) and Viseven's Expert Communities and Unicorns Recognition Program were honored for their innovative approaches to employee engagement and health equity [1][6] AstraZeneca's Young Health Programme (YHP) - YHP is a global health equity initiative aimed at preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and fostering leadership among employees [2] - The program has reached over 20 million young people in more than 40 countries, partnering with over 60 non-profit organizations, including UNICEF [3] - YHP has mobilized 20,000 AstraZeneca employees, contributing nearly 100,000 hours of volunteer service [3] - The initiative has influenced 18 NCD prevention-related policies globally and creates leadership pathways for youth and employees [4] Viseven's Expert Communities and Unicorns Recognition Program - Viseven's program focuses on internal engagement and collaboration, consisting of Expert Communities for professional development and a gamified Unicorns Recognition Program [6][7] - Over 700 employees are engaged in these initiatives, enhancing peer connections and fostering a culture of innovation [8] - The program aims to build a strong internal culture that supports sustainable growth and employee empowerment [10] Event and Recognition - Both AstraZeneca and Viseven will be honored at the 2025 HBA Annual Conference in Las Vegas from September 29 to October 1 [11] - The HBA serves as a global leadership accelerator and talent pipeline for the healthcare industry, impacting nearly six million employees [12]

Core Insights - HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding division hosted its third annual educator externship, involving 15 educators from Mississippi Gulf Coast school districts, aimed at strengthening workforce pipelines and aligning education with national defense needs [1][2]. Group 1: Externship Program - The externship program took place from June 9-20 and included facility tours, job shadowing, and discussions with experienced shipbuilders and leadership [2]. - A new feature this year was a virtual welding lab training exercise, allowing educators to learn basic welding techniques in a simulation-based environment [2]. Group 2: Workforce Development Initiatives - Ingalls Shipbuilding is committed to investing in local workforce development through various programs, including the Shipbuilder Academy, technical training in high schools, and partnerships with community colleges [4]. - The company supports enterprise-wide commitments to hands-on apprentice training and collaborations with two- and four-year colleges and universities [4]. Group 3: Company Overview - HII is the largest military shipbuilder in the U.S. with over 135 years of history in advancing national security, delivering capabilities from ships to unmanned systems and cyber solutions [8]. - The company has a workforce of 44,000 and is headquartered in Virginia [8].

Core Insights - CVS Health has opened a new Workforce Innovation and Talent Center (WITC) in Chicago to enhance community access to workforce training services and provide job opportunities for participants [1][2][3] Group 1: Workforce Development - The WITC aims to train individuals for in-demand jobs such as pharmacy technicians, customer service associates, call center associates, and retail associates [2][3] - A simulated retail store within the center will offer hands-on job training, creating real-world experience for participants [2] - CVS Health has previously created meaningful job opportunities for over 1,500 individuals through collaborations with local organizations and government agencies [3] Group 2: Community Support and Initiatives - CVS Health and Aetna have committed $750,000 in community grants to enhance access to maternal and behavioral health services [4] - The company has hosted 33 Project Health events in Chicago, providing 4,575 health screenings to 1,307 participants last year [4] - CVS Health has invested over $65 million in affordable housing across Illinois, contributing to the creation or preservation of nearly 3,600 affordable units, including over 1,200 in Chicago [4] Group 3: Company Overview - As of March 31, 2025, CVS Health operates more than 9,000 retail pharmacy locations and over 1,000 walk-in and primary care medical clinics [5] - The company serves approximately 88 million plan members through its pharmacy benefits manager and provides care to over 800,000 patients annually through its senior pharmacy care business [5] - CVS Health's integrated model focuses on personalized, technology-driven services to improve access to quality care and lower overall costs [5]

Core Insights - The rise of AI is prompting significant changes in data center operations, with organizations focusing on how to adopt AI quickly while maintaining security and performance standards [2] Group 1: Key Themes from Cisco Live 2025 - "Agentic AI" is emerging as a new industry buzzword, indicating a shift towards autonomous AI agents capable of completing workflows without human intervention [2][3] - Security-first architecture is becoming essential, with embedded security features like Hybrid Mesh Firewall and Universal Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) being prioritized from the outset [4][5] - The performance demands of AI workloads are challenging existing network designs, necessitating new hardware solutions like the 8000-series routers to ensure low-latency connectivity [6][8] Group 2: Management and Skills Development - There is a growing frustration among IT professionals regarding the complexity of managing multiple dashboards, leading to a demand for unified platforms like Cisco Cloud Control [9][10] - A significant skills gap is evident, with organizations struggling to find talent proficient in AI infrastructure, driving interest in comprehensive certification programs [11][12]