The rapid pace of change in key areas such as digitalisation and sustainability is creating new skills needs for Irish businesses which Skillnet Ireland is helping to address. “The availability of talent and skills is a top priority for business,” notes Skillnet Ireland director of policy and communications Tracey Donnery. “All businesses are facing profound challenges in terms of digitalisation, decarbonisation and so on. The way we design, produce and consume goods and services is changing and that in turn is changing the nature of work.
“If businesses are to thrive in the digital age and embrace the digital and green transitions, much greater appreciation and understanding are needed for what skills will be required by a future-ready workforce.”
Skillnet Ireland’s focus is firmly on developing industry-led programmes that meet current and future skills needs, Donnery adds. “We engage very closely with businesses through our 70 Skillnet Business Networks around the country,” she says. “We discuss the challenges they are facing and work with them and other stakeholders to develop the talent solutions they need. We look at how we can support businesses to become stronger and more competitive through focused upskilling and talent development. And we make sure our upskilling programmes are of practical benefit to them.”
According to Donnery, companies in Ireland have a strong interest and commitment to learning and development. “We help them to access upskilling programmes that are relevant to them,” she says. “Ireland is well known for its world-class talent and pro-innovation and enterprise ecosystem. We need to focus on skills development to sustain it. We will continue to deliver new upskilling opportunities in critical areas such as AI, offshore wind, modern methods of construction and so on.”
The way we design, produce and consume goods and services is changing – and that in turn is changing the nature of work
Skillnet Ireland has a long track record in AI skills provision, she points out. “Businesses see AI capability as critical for growth and there is a growing awareness of the requirement for skills in the technology as well as the need to build AI into business strategy,” she says.
“Skillnet Ireland launched Europe’s first AI masters in 2018 in association with University of Limerick and DCU. Since then, we have been focusing on identifying the skills needs of business both in technical areas and the transversal softer skills required for the application and adoption of AI. People with strong data analytics skills will be well placed to help companies to realise full potential of AI. Those skills are needed to interpret AI results and deliver actionable insights.”
Launched last month, the new Data SMART programme was created by the Technology Ireland Digital Skillnet in partnership with the Analytics Institute and Microsoft. It is designed for non-IT professionals eager to harness data strategically and thrive in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, Donnery adds.
The new programme is based on research carried out by IDA Ireland and Skillnet Ireland into industry’s data and digital skills. “The 12-week course is flexible and hands-on and combines online tutorials with hands-on, interactive workshops, equipping participants with the confidence and skills needed to analyse and apply data strategically and effectively,” says Donnery. “The aim is to help people develop the skills to enable them to engage with digital transformation, regardless of their job function.”
Ireland is well known for its world-class talent and pro-innovation and enterprise ecosystem. We need to focus on skills development to sustain it
In the critical area of sustainability, Skillnet Ireland has a series of targeted initiatives including the Climate Ready Academy and the Sustainable Enterprise Skillnet, GreenTech Skillnet, and Sustainable Finance Skillnet. “We have also launched the Offshore Wind Academy in partnership with Wind Energy Ireland,” says Donnery. “The aim is to rapidly create a pipeline of skilled workers for businesses operating in offshore wind services and it will focus on mid-career professionals interested in a career within the industry. During 2025 the academy will launch a series of specialised micro-credential programmes which are currently being developed in partnership with Irish universities.”
Micro-credentials will play a key role in meeting future skills needs, she continues. “Skillnet Ireland has pioneered micro-credentials for some years. And there will be an increased focus on these in future. They can support businesses to quickly address skills needs and we will launch new micro-credentials in sustainability, fintech, aviation, immersive technologies, agrifood innovation, electric vehicles and supply chain. We also developed Ireland’s first stackable micro-credential programme in climate action.”
The stackable micro-credentials, developed by Skillnet Ireland’s Climate Ready Academy, will enable participants to develop tailored sustainability charters and action plans for their organisation across the areas of energy, sustainability and waste and circularity while also achieving recognised third-level certification on the National Framework of Qualifications. The micro-credentials may be stacked, over time, leading to a full Level 7 award accredited by the University of Limerick.
Donnery points out that these flexible short programmes are ideally suited to the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises. “We recognise the unique circumstances of small businesses, and we work closely with them and the tertiary education sector to meet their skills needs.”