April 2025 - Trend Spotting - Jobs and Economic Developments
Apr 22, 2025
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Trends We're Watching |
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April 2025 FutureGood is a consultancy focused on helping visionary leaders build a better future. Through DEI consulting, strategic visioning, keynotes, retreats, and online learning, FutureGood helps thought leaders (like you!) to deploy futurism. |
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We are watching so many interesting trends each month that we've decided to share them with our community. If you want us to look out for a specific subject, reach out and let us know! |
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Jobs and Economic Developments |
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When the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 dropped, the headline for many news sources was 40 percent of companies plan workforce reductions due to AI automation. But the report's broader analysis paints a far more nuanced picture than the headlines suggests: It finds that AI could create 170 million new jobs globally while eliminating 92 million positions, resulting in a net increase of 78 million jobs by 2030. |
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What this could mean for the social sector: AI-driven job shifts could boost demand for roles rooted in human connection—like caregiving, advocacy, and community work. As shorter workweeks gain traction, nonprofits will need to rethink how they structure teams, fund their missions, and deliver impact. |
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Nonprofits are playing a bigger role in workforce training, apprenticeships, and upskilling programs, particularly for underserved populations. Funders and government agencies are investing in programs that create pathways to stable, well-paying jobs as the future of work rapidly shifts. |
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What this could mean for the social sector: As nonprofits step into workforce development, they'll need to align with emerging industries to ensure equity. Upskilling investments can boost impact—but will also call for fresh partnerships and bold funding strategies. |
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Learn to spot trends relevant to your work |
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If you want to learn more about futurism, including how to spot and make sense of these trends, you can! Sign up for our online learning program, FutureGood Studio, and empower yourself to be future-ready! |
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There’s a growing push to ensure that economic development benefits marginalized communities. Nonprofits are working to close racial wealth gaps, improve financial inclusion, and support BIPOC-led businesses through capital access, technical assistance, policy advocacy and purchasing from those businesses. |
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What this could mean for the social sector: As nonprofits lean into economic justice, they'll need to grow their capacity for financial advocacy and equitable funding. This shift can fuel community wealth—but it’ll take bold collaboration and policy change to make it stick. |
