Global Labor Market Academy launches second cohort training in Paris

The Global Labor Market Academy opened its second cohort program in Paris on Oct. 27, bringing 31 policymakers and labor market specialists from 27 countries together at the World Bank Group offices. The training expands the academy’s network to 50 countries and focuses on labor market strategy, digital employment services and workforce skills development.

Why it matters: - The Paris program expands a growing international network focused on labor market reform, employment services and workforce development. - The second cohort is designed to help policymakers and specialists align labor market policy with economic growth, productivity and skills demand. - The program also aims to broaden youth employment opportunities and support economic inclusion.

What happened: - The Global Labor Market Academy launched the Paris training program for its second cohort on Oct. 27, 2026. - The program brings together 31 policymakers and labor market specialists from 27 countries. - The sessions run from Oct. 27 to 29, 2026, at the World Bank Group offices in Paris. - The program theme is “Jobs Now: Advanced Strategies for Labor Market Transformation.”

The details: - The Paris training follows the academy’s first training phase in Riyadh in January 2026. - That initial phase gave participants exposure to Saudi Arabia’s labor market development experience. - The Riyadh program highlighted the role of the Qiwa platform and the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation, or TVTC, in labor market services and workforce skills development. - The Paris agenda centers on three priorities: labor market strategies tied to growth and productivity, more efficient employment services through digital transformation and artificial intelligence, and workforce skills aligned with labor market needs. - Training sessions and knowledge-sharing discussions are being led by experts from the World Bank and other international organizations. - Participants are also visiting two France Travail offices to examine how France’s public employment service uses data and advanced technologies to connect jobseekers with jobs. - The program includes a GLMC 365 panel on skills development and cross-border skills connectivity. - The panel brings together representatives from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, the World Bank, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the World Employment Confederation.

Between the lines: - The academy is positioning itself as a practical exchange platform, not just a conference offshoot. - The focus on digital tools, AI and cross-border skills connectivity reflects a wider effort to modernize public employment systems. - The mix of government, multilateral and labor market organizations suggests the program is meant to turn policy discussions into transferable practices. - The academy’s network now spans 50 countries across its first and second cohorts, signaling broader uptake than a single regional initiative.

What's next: - Participants will continue the Paris program through Oct. 29, 2026. - The cohort is expected to leave with comparative lessons from Saudi Arabia, France and multilateral partners that can inform labor market reforms at home. - The academy will continue using the network to share best practices and build policymaker capacity worldwide.

The bottom line: - The Paris launch shows the Global Labor Market Academy scaling up as an international training platform for labor market transformation.