U.S. Department of Labor Grants $30M, to Boost Training in High-Demand Fields Like Skilled Trades, AI & Maritime

$30M

The U.S. Department of Labor announced $30 million in grants to address workforce shortages, offering up to $8 million per state to expand training in high-demand fields, including skilled trades, AI, and maritime. The initiative aims to upskill workers, strengthen talent pipelines, and support America’s push to lead in manufacturing and technology.

78%

A July 2025 Careerminds survey found that 78% of U.S. HR leaders oversaw multiple rounds of layoffs, with 75% occurring within six months and 40% happening quarterly. While financial instability, shifting priorities, and AI adoption drove cuts, nearly half of leaders admitted rehiring up to 25% of roles within a year, underscoring the costly risks of “reactive workforce management.

3.5%

According to the WTW 2025 Salary Budget Planning Report, employers in both the United States and Canada are forecasting 3.5% salary increases in 2026, keeping pay growth steady with the previous year’s levels. Key drivers include recession fears (38.9%), cost pressures (34.4%), and inflation (27.4%), with employers shifting toward more targeted, strategic pay practices to boost business outcomes despite economic uncertainty.

75%

Research by Vialto Partners revealed that three out of four 75% of international remote work requests gained approval, while roughly 30% were turned down due to company policy restrictions. As firms push return-to-office plans, flexible remote work abroad is emerging as a top employee priority and a key tool for attracting and retaining talent.

300,000

The U.S. government plans to cut about 300,000 federal workers in 2025, with 80% leaving voluntarily and 20% being terminated, according to OPM. Federal civilian employment already dropped to 2.28 million by March 2025, down 23,000 from late 2024, as hiring freezes slashed monthly new hires by nearly 70%.