In today’s Tech Roundup, The Adecco Group and Microsoft signed a memorandum of understanding covering work on artificial intelligence. Other new announcements: Virtual reality training firm Transfr reported a $40 million funding round and employer-of-record firm Oyster HR announced a talent network

Adecco, Microsoft

The Adecco Group signed a deal with Microsoft Corp. to create a career platform for workers as part of an overall memorandum of understanding between the global staffing firm and the tech giant.

Plans call for the career platform to assess individuals’ current skills, strengths and gaps, then map those against evolving labor market needs.

“It will deliver customized career advice and services in coaching, micro-learning and upskilling, preparing people for emerging job opportunities and ensuring continued employability,” the announcement states.

Large companies have made AI adoption a priority, but workers risk getting left behind, Adecco CEO Denis Machuel said in a press release.

“Our research shows that 70% of workers now use GenAI at work, but access to training and guidance remains a barrier,” Machuel said. “Our vision is to enable all individuals to maintain their skills currency and employability in the era of GenAI.”

The overall memorandum also includes four areas of collaboration on which Adecco and Microsoft will work together.

1. Support responsible and ethical generative AI adoption across the workforce. Constructively support generative AI-related policymaking and workforce planning that considers fairness, inclusiveness, safety, transparency, privacy and accountability.
2. Inclusive use of generative AI in workforce. Work toward the elimination of geographical, generational, race, gender, socioeconomic or other barriers in work using generative AI.
3. Accelerate organizational adoption of GenAI. Enable organizations to unlock economic opportunity, bridge skill gaps and create inclusive work through the integration of GenAI.
4. Develop joint go-to-market solutions. Co-develop products to support individuals and organizations in navigating new job creation, job augmentations and job transitions in GenAI-enabled work.

“With our shared vision of harnessing the power of GenAI to transform the world of work, we are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with The Adecco Group to help augment human skilling and ingenuity, while supporting inclusive access to GenAI for all people around the world,” Hayete Gallot, corporate VP, commercial solutions areas at Microsoft, said in a press release.

Transfr

Transfr, a provider of virtual reality-based skills training, announced a $40 million series C funding round led by ABS Capital. The funds will go toward further development of its virtual reality simulation and training platform as well as to expand programs to accommodate growth in its customer base.

The company’s virtual reality training is based on middle-skilled careers — jobs that require more training and education than a high school diploma but less than a four-year college degree.

“This $40 million investment enables Transfr to continue to invest in undiscovered talent by developing more simulations and solutions to connect the classroom to career pathway with our partners in education and industry and hire the talent we need to scale and achieve our mission,” founder and CEO Bharani Rajakuma said in a press release.

ABS Capital Partners Phil Clough will join Transfr’s board and ABS Partner Jennifer Krusius will serve as a board advisor.

Oyster HR, employer of record

The use of employer-of-record services has been increasing. Provider firms serve as “the employer of a worker recruited and hired by an end-user hirer for administrative purposes only while the employee performs work under the direction or control of the end-user hirer,” according to SIA research. They typically enable companies to engage workers in a new country or region without risk of violating local laws. However, some firms are expanding their offerings.

Employer-of-record provider Oyster HR announced that it launched a talent network on Sept. 28 that aims to enable customers to also find talent globally. The recruiting would be handled by partner firms such as Facet, GoGloby and Hired.

Recruitment would be for remote workers and would include independent contractors and employees.

“With our new talent network, we’re breaking down the barriers of global employment so it’s easier than ever for global companies to find great talent, border free,” Oyster said in a statement to SIA.