ETIH New School Year Series: Most-read workforce development stories, from AI apprenticeships to $500B pledges
As part of our New School Year Series, we’re rounding up the most-read workforce development stories of the past 12 months, from corporate partnerships and rebrands to global investments in skills and AI training.
To mark the start of a new school year across much of the world, including the US and UK, ETIH continues its special round-up series spotlighting the defining EdTech stories of the last 12 months. We’ve already examined the rise of AI, shifts in higher education, and major funding moves. This time, the focus turns to workforce development, where companies, investors, and governments are reshaping how people train for the jobs of tomorrow. From apprenticeships and rebrands to global tech partnerships, here are the top ten workforce development stories.
10. Udemy highlights Q2 results and AI skills plans
In at number ten, Udemy CEO Hugo Sarrazin used LinkedIn to outline Q2 2025 performance, subscription growth, and new AI-focused products. With more than 200,000 paid consumer subscribers and fresh partnerships with Indeed and UKG, Udemy is pushing its positioning as an “AI-powered skills acceleration platform.”
9. PwC survey shows investors demand GenAI growth and upskilling
Taking the ninth spot, PwC’s UK Investor Survey found 74% of investors expect GenAI to boost productivity, but most insist businesses also invest in upskilling employees. While optimism around AI’s potential is high, 77% of investors named workforce development as the single most important factor in delivering long-term value.
8. Kahoot! launches Energize for corporate training
At number eight, Kahoot! rolled out Kahoot! Energize, a toolkit to make workplace training and presentations more interactive. Designed for use with Google Slides, PowerPoint, and Zoom, it adds polls, quizzes, and AI-generated content to boost employee engagement. The move builds on Kahoot! 360’s growing adoption among businesses.
7. Multiverse and Microsoft debut AI-powered apprenticeship
Coming in seventh, Multiverse teamed up with Microsoft to launch the UK’s first accredited apprenticeship integrating Microsoft 365 Copilot. Part of Microsoft’s “Get On” campaign, the program trains workers in prompt engineering, data privacy, and ethical AI, with employers able to fund it through the Apprenticeship Levy.
6. Accenture and SAP partner on global upskilling initiative
Making the sixth spot, Accenture and SAP announced a partnership to deliver AI-powered training and certification programs. Through Accenture LearnVantage and SAP Learning, the initiative provides custom pathways, nanodegrees, and instructor-led sessions aimed at scaling workforce skills in SAP solutions worldwide.
5. Microsoft and Pearson launch AI skills partnership
Kicking off the top five, Microsoft is back, this time partnering with Pearson. The pair unveiled a multi-year partnership to deliver new AI learning pathways and certificates. Pearson will expand its use of Microsoft’s Azure and Copilot tools, while both firms co-develop courses to help workers close AI skills gaps. Pearson staff will adopt Copilot internally to model best practice for enterprise learners.
4. AWS introduces AI programs for graduates and early careers
In at number four, Amazon Web Services launched two new programs aimed at students and recent graduates, focused on AI and cloud skills. Alongside targeted learning paths, AWS introduced LLM League, a team competition tackling real-world challenges like prompt engineering and fine-tuning, backed by $2 million in AWS credits.
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3. Multiverse is back again, this time awarding its own undergraduate degrees
Taking the third spot, Multiverse is back again, this time as the first UK apprenticeship provider to award undergraduate degrees. Its Digital and Technology Solutions program saw apprentices from Capita, Mars UK, and IHG Hotels graduate with BSc qualifications. Around half of the cohort had not previously pursued higher education, underscoring the reach of the apprenticeship model.
2. Pearson rebrands to emphasize lifelong skills
Just missing the top spot, Pearson rolled out a new brand identity reflecting its shift to digital learning and lifelong skills development. CEO Omar Abbosh framed it as a “bold step” to position Pearson as a company that supports growth at every stage of life. The rebrand, grounded in behavioral research, ties to new product strategies and learner engagement plans.
1. Apple commits $500B to workforce, AI, and U.S. education
And taking number one, Apple announced a $500 billion four-year plan spanning workforce training, AI infrastructure, and U.S. manufacturing. The initiative includes an Apple Manufacturing Academy in Detroit, new AI server facilities, and expanded support for STEM education. It is the largest single workforce development investment of the year.
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The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026
The EdTech Innovation Hub Awards celebrate excellence in global education technology, with a particular focus on workforce development, AI integration, and innovative learning solutions across all stages of education.
Now open for entries, the ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 recognize the companies, platforms, and individuals driving transformation in the sector, from AI-driven assessment tools and personalized learning systems, to upskilling solutions and digital platforms that connect learners with real-world outcomes.
Submissions are open to organizations across the UK, the Americas, and internationally. Entries should highlight measurable impact, whether in K–12 classrooms, higher education institutions, or lifelong learning settings.
Winners will be announced on 14 January 2026 as part of an online showcase featuring expert commentary on emerging trends and standout innovation. All winners and finalists will also be featured in our first print magazine, to be distributed at BETT 2026.
