Workforce 2026: Growing Nowhere
Korn Ferry's workforce survey report (September 8, 2026), presented as six findings plus a regional snapshot on how employees view their careers, growth and employers.
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Korn Ferry's workforce survey report (September 8, 2026), presented as six findings plus a regional snapshot on how employees view their careers, growth and employers.
A Brookings report outlining a four-part policy framework (brakes, steers, buffers, and shifts) for supporting workers as AI changes jobs.
Deloitte press release dated October 20, 2026 announcing a frontline workforce management solution that automates shift scheduling, labor forecasting, and time-off requests in one connected system, with AI-powered task prioritization and fair work week compliance tools. Results such as a 15% reduction in absenteeism are Deloitte's own figures from a top-10 global airline deployment.
Jobs for the Future's analysis of what states' WIOA waiver requests signal about the future of workforce reform.
HR Addict guest article arguing that AI adoption dashboards measure tool usage rather than real capability, and proposing a seven-step process for verifying workforce AI skills.
Allwork.Space discusses male economic inactivity in Britain, citing ONS figures and attributing part of the trend to long-term sickness and mental-health challenges.
Deloitte’s 15th annual survey covers more than 22,500 respondents in 44 countries, reporting priorities around financial stability, skills, well-being and career progression. The public page links to downloadable report materials.
Gizmodo article on the loss of government cybersecurity talent and why it may pose a larger risk than AI-driven attacks.
An article offering a practitioner's overview of the U.S. immigration system, covering common visa categories and processes relevant to professionals navigating work authorization.
AARP's Longevity Economy Outlook series measures how Americans 50 and older contribute to the U.S. economy, including their spending, jobs supported, tax payments, and unpaid caregiving and charitable contributions. The reports include projections through 2060 and key findings for employers and policymakers.
Why I recommend it: Useful for seeing the scale of older workers and consumers in the labor market — a counterweight to coverage that treats workers over 50 as an afterthought.
Nonpartisan social policy research organization evaluating education, workforce and anti-poverty programs, including AI in career services.
Topic brief from the nonprofit Learn & Work Ecosystem Library on how governments and organizations are developing AI laws and policies affecting workplaces, learning, credentialing and government services.
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation publication on workforce policy, hosted on Issuu. Described from title; details not checked page by page.
Joint Center report (PDF) with policy recommendations on voting rights, economic opportunity, workforce, education, healthcare, criminal legal system, technology and immigration.
Generation USA describes how its training-and-placement model aims to reduce hiring risk and improve efficiency for employers, arguing the global hiring system leaves capable adults overlooked.
An April 2026 U.S. Department of Labor announcement of a national contracting opportunity to integrate artificial intelligence skills into Registered Apprenticeship programs. The Employment and Training Administration initiative seeks to expand AI-related training, modernize apprenticeship programs, and build AI literacy and technical skills across industries, aligning with the department's AI Literacy Framework and the Make America AI-Ready initiative.
Why I recommend it: If you want to move into AI-adjacent work without a four-year degree, Registered Apprenticeships are one of the few earn-while-you-learn paths, and this initiative is the signal that AI skills are now part of that pipeline. Watch your state's apprenticeship sponsor list for AI-related openings.
A free news site from Open Campus covering the link between education and jobs — community colleges, apprenticeships, workforce programs.
WorkShift's coverage of how apprenticeships are spreading beyond the trades into tech, health care and business roles.
Why I recommend it: Good overview of paid "earn while you learn" routes that skip a degree.
Verizon's free programme with 200+ online AI courses, hands-on tool practice and shareable certificates.
Why I recommend it: Free. Run by a company, so some lessons feature tools it partners with.
IBM Institute for Business Value survey of 1,500 chief HR officers and 8,800 employees worldwide, published 21 September 2026. 71% of CHROs call the ability to supervise, validate and override AI outputs the workforce's most essential skill, while only 29% of employees rank judgment as important. 60% of employees worry AI is eroding their skills, naming critical thinking most often; three in four of those say the erosion has already begun. CHROs name critical thinking (57%) and human judgment (48%) among the most important capabilities. 46% of organisations leave the CHRO out of AI strategy entirely.
Why I recommend it: The one number to take into an interview or a performance review: employers say the skill they now value most is checking and overruling the machine, and most employees have not caught up. That gap is your opening — say out loud that you review AI output rather than forward it. Read the rest carefully. This is IBM's own survey, run by IBM's consulting arm, and IBM sells the AI systems and the workforce redesign advice the study concludes you need; the free press release gives the figures, while the full report asks for your details. The 18% risk reduction and 20% quality improvement are self-reported by the companies surveyed, not measured by anyone independent, and 'employees worry their skills are eroding' is how people feel, not a test of whether their skills actually declined.
Published research and analysis on education, skills and workforce markets from HolonIQ, including global market reports and outlook pieces.
From the site: Published research and analysis on education, skills and workforce markets.
Why I recommend it: The research pages are free to read, though HolonIQ sells paid intelligence products — treat the reports as vendor research and check who funded any figure you plan to quote.
Research and commentary on hiring, skills and the labour market from Four One Insights, free to read.
From the site: Explore thought leadership on workforce trends, emerging technologies, and skills development with FourOne Insights. Stay informed on the latest industry insights.
Why I recommend it: Analysis from a firm that sells into hiring teams, so read the recommendations with that in mind.
Free global research on jobs, skills and technology — including the Future of Jobs reports that most workforce coverage is based on.
Why I recommend it: Go to the source. The Future of Jobs report is free and is what half the "jobs of the future" headlines are quoting.
A Center for an Urban Future report on how AI is reshaping entry-level tech hiring in New York City and what city leaders, educators, and employers can do to rebuild on-ramps for low-income New Yorkers.
Why I recommend it: Valuable context if you are entering tech in NYC or advising students and early-career talent on which pathways still lead to good first jobs.
A CUNY initiative that integrates career connections into every stage of an undergraduate's journey, aiming to help more students graduate into careers with competitive salaries.
Why I recommend it: If you are a CUNY student or alumni adviser, this is the central hub for college-to-career programming across the system.
Bridges the gap in social capital for first-generation, low-income students, equipping them with the skills, networks, and confidence to succeed in the workforce.
Why I recommend it: Built specifically for first-gen and low-income students who often lack the informal networks that accelerate careers. A good place to find mentorship and structured support.
Citywide Newark initiative founded in 2019 that helps high school students prepare for postsecondary education, job training, and career paths paying a thriving wage, through career exploration, individual support, and professional development.
Why I recommend it: If you work with high school students in or near Newark, this is the network to plug into rather than building your own.
Free job search assistance, skills assessments, and referrals to funded training for unemployed and underemployed workers, delivered locally under federal WIOA law.
Why I recommend it: The federal overview of how the system works — useful for knowing what you are entitled to before you walk in.
Enter a ZIP code or city and state to locate any of the ~2,300 American Job Centers nationwide, offering free career counseling, resume help, computer access, and referrals to funded job training.
Why I recommend it: This is the single best "start here" tool. Look up your center, call, and ask what training funds are open right now.
Workforce programs addressing job displacement in low-income and Black communities, including reentry-focused employment partnerships delivered through local Urban League affiliates.
Why I recommend it: Find your local affiliate — programming and hiring partners differ a lot city to city.
Search by ZIP code or field of interest to find federally approved WIOA training programs near you — often free or subsidized for eligible workers.
Why I recommend it: Enter your ZIP and the field you want to work in. If a program shows up here, there is likely public money available to pay for it.
One-year free training and internship program for young adults ages 18-26 from underserved communities, connecting them to careers at major employers.
In plain terms: This free program provides job training and internships for young adults. You can learn practical workplace skills, gain real-world experience, and connect directly with employers to start a career.
Why I recommend it: If you're under 27 and stuck in low-wage work, this is one of the strongest free on-ramps available.
Labor market research institute studying degree requirements, skills-based hiring trends, and economic mobility using real job posting data.
In plain terms: This research institute analyzes employment data and hiring trends across the country. You can read free reports to learn which job skills are in demand, explore labor market forecasts, and find which credentials lead to higher pay.
Why I recommend it: Their reports tell you which employers actually dropped degree requirements versus which just said they did.
Nonpartisan coalition advocating for public policy that expands access to skills training and job quality for lower-income and underserved workers.
In plain terms: This organization advocates for public policies that expand access to job training and career education. You can read their articles and reports to stay informed about workforce programs, credentials, and skills training initiatives.
Why I recommend it: Good source for what training funding exists in your state.
Research summary showing skills-based, talent-friendly hiring practices save over $125,000 per cybersecurity worker through faster hiring and better retention, with a focus on widening pathways for women.
In plain terms: This research report shows how cybersecurity employers use skills-based hiring, mentorship programs, and ongoing training to retain talent. You can use this data to identify workplaces that support professional growth and clear promotion paths for women.
Why I recommend it: Good ammunition if you're arguing for skills-based hiring internally — it puts a dollar figure on it.
Created by Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) with FourOne Insights
Find your nearest free, government-funded career center and training programs.
In plain terms: This tool helps you find nearby American Job Centers and government-funded employment services. You can locate in-person help with your job search, attend workshops, use free computers, and explore local training programs.
From the site: Find local workforce services for employment help.
Why I recommend it: Most people have no idea these exist. Free coaching, free training, real money.