Engineering Skills Push: Make UK has launched an accelerated Engineering Maintenance Technician Level 3 apprenticeship plus two three-week apprenticeship units (Mechanical and Electrical Fitting & Assembly) to plug urgent engineering gaps faster. Worklessness Focus (NI): Communities Minister Gordon Lyons backed the Pathways to Work and Wellbeing project to tackle Northern Ireland’s high economic inactivity, with early support aimed at disability and ill health barriers. Immigration & Labour Supply: Labour’s new “safe and legal” refugee sponsorship plans are sparking claims of a major expansion in arrivals, with employers and community groups set to sponsor people before they travel. Corporate Restructuring: British American Tobacco is cutting 9,000 jobs (5,500 direct plus 3,500 outsourced) as part of its Fit2Win cost and AI-driven transformation. Employee Relations: Glasgow Caledonian University faces strike action on graduation days over planned job losses, with the EIS warning of the biggest impact. Benefits & Retention: A CIPD/MetLife-backed piece argues employee benefits now drive retention as workers weigh wellbeing and support, not just pay. Tech Talent Pipeline (Scotland): Simple Online Healthcare is rolling out hackathons and structured work placements to build future healthcare and tech talent in Glasgow. Devolution & Jobs Agenda: Andy Burnham’s “No 10 North” pitch targets a long-term shift of power and growth across regions, aiming to create “good growth in every postcode.” Hiring Pressure (Local): A Cadillac-area report highlights employers struggling to fill roles as the local workforce shrinks and ages, pointing to skills gaps and retention challenges.