February workforce shifts: Layoffs, AI breakthroughs, and the future of workforce planning

February brought a wave of contradictions in the job market, while restructuring efforts led to layoffs in key industries, technological breakthroughs, and corporate shakeups that signaled new directions. Specifically:? ?

• Due to restructuring, Continental announced plans to cut around 3,000 jobs in the automotive sector. Meanwhile, mass federal layoffs in the U.S. raised concerns about economic stability. Despite these cuts, Germany's unemployment rate remained steady, absorbing layoffs in specific sectors.? ?

• There was also a groundbreaking moment in the tech world: Microsoft unveiled its Majorana 1 chip, a quantum computing milestone that could reimagine industries. On the corporate side, Unilever's surprise CEO change shook investor confidence, with shares falling 2% as CFO Fernando Fernandez took over as the new CEO.

Beyond employment shifts, the month was shaped by broader political, sports, and technology events, proving that workforce dynamics don't exist in isolation. TalentNeuron also took major steps in strategic workforce planning (SWP) development and education.

TalentNeuron partnered with Workforce Planning Institute??

In February 2025, TalentNeuron (TN) announced a strategic partnership with the Workforce Planning Institute (WPI) to improve workforce planning education and certification. This collaboration aims to address the evolving needs of HR professionals by expanding access to learning materials and certification programs.? ?

One more interesting addition:?

To engage with the community, Nick Kennedy , Chief Executive of The Workforce Planning Institute , and David Wilkins , Chief Product and Strategy Officer of TalentNeuron , will host an "ask us anything" session titled "The Future of SWP” (March 12, 2025). This discussion will explore the growing demand for SWP capabilities, and how the new WPI and TalentNeuron partnership is set to transform workforce planning learning and certification. Feel free to submit your questions in advance to get personalized insights from industry experts.? ?

Welcome to the TN family, Watlow!

It's so great to see TalentNeuron working with amazing brands like Watlow . With the support of our advanced talent insights and workforce solutions, the leader in industrial thermal systems can focus on its innovative vision and further its strategic workforce planning efforts.

Insights on workforce planning from Zurich

On Feb. 27, 2025, Ursula Kidson , Michael Thomason , and I participated in People Analytics World’s Zurich event dedicated to strategic workforce planning and analytics. We discussed key topics, including aligning HR strategies with organizational goals, managing data-driven insights for effective HR decision-making, and adapting to the dynamic demands of today’s work environment. We also engaged in insightful dialogue, sharing best practices and innovative approaches to addressing the complexities of workforce management.

Webinar recap about building resilience in volatile markets?

Another significant event on Feb. 27 featuring Lynne Mayers , Senior Consultant at TalentNeuron, and John Lynch , Senior Director of Communications and Content at TalentNeuron. They shared insights on key trends shaping the global workforce and location strategies. Specifically:? ?

• The great rationalization and AI boom that are driving companies to rethink talent hubs.?

• Geopolitical and economic risks that are making location diversification a top priority.?

• HR's role in location intelligence from risk assessment to AI-driven workforce planning to ensure business agility.? ?

If you missed the webinar, catch the recording here.?

From strategy to action or how to make workforce planning work

Want to dive deeper into strategic workforce planning? In the Digital HR Leaders podcast episode titled "How to Turn Strategic Workforce Planning into Impactful Action," David Green ???? engaged with TN’s David Wilkins on the intricacies of mastering SWP. Key topics covered included:??

• The significance of determining who should lead SWP initiatives within an organization to ensure its success.??

• Strategies for harmonizing internal and external data to facilitate more informed and impactful decision-making processes.??

• Understanding that establishing the correct data architecture is merely the initial step, with subsequent actions crucial for effective SWP.??

• Identifying the tools, strategies, and skills required for organizations to move beyond traditional methods and drive meaningful workforce transformation.?

If you liked this podcast, you should check the interview? ?

David Wilkins highlighted the need for a modern approach to strategic workforce planning. He emphasized integrating internal data with external labor market intelligence to stay competitive. AI is transforming workforce analytics and automating data processing while posing cybersecurity risks. Wilkins advised clear ownership of SWP, data integration, and continuous upskilling to succeed. What about you? Share your thoughts in the comments.?

Employer-employee partnership challenges and solutions?

Here’s another topic you might find interesting.?

How to avoid losing talent to competitors?

Talent leaves for many reasons, including bad experiences, unfulfilled goals, career frustrations, inadequate pay, etc. Losing talent to competitors isn't just about salary; employees leave when they don't see growth, purpose, or support. See how companies can spot signs of disengagement and use data to address skill gaps, leadership gaps, and evolving employee expectations.

Speaking about skills gaps for organizational agility?

Florian Fleischmann , my TalentNeuron colleague, recently shared his thoughts on the importance of effective skills management in achieving organizational agility. He emphasized the importance of workforce skills in remaining competitive. Organizations can respond more quickly to market changes and drive innovation by aligning employee skills with strategic goals. What do you think about this?

Future-proofed is a monthly dose of insights on people analytics, the future of work, and data-driven HR to help smart HR leaders stay ahead of the curve. Follow me on LinkedIn for the latest insights and start future-proofing your organization today.