Skillnet Ireland, the national agency for workforce development, has published its 2022 Annual Report, reporting a significant increase in its supports to Irish businesses. Skillnet Ireland delivered upskilling and training programmes to the value of €70.2 million in 2022, providing upskilling programmes to 24,747 businesses and 92,489 workers right across the economy and regions. Contributions from businesses represented €26.5 million or 37% of the total investment, a €4 million increase on 2021, signalling a high level of buy-in from industry sectors to develop their teams in partnership with Skillnet Ireland.
Launching the Annual Report Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris said: “Skillnet Ireland’s results demonstrate our commitment to workforce development and supporting upskilling for businesses of all sizes in Ireland. In 2022, Skillnet Ireland provided upskilling programmes to over 92,000 workers in key areas such as digital skills and skills for the green transition, together with a wide range of supports for the small firms sector. Government is committed to ensuring that all our citizens have the right skills to thrive and grow and Skillnet Ireland is a key part of that.”
Brendan McGinty, Chairperson, Skillnet Ireland, said; “2022 was another excellent year for Skillnet Ireland amidst a challenging year for businesses. 2022 also marked a significant milestone for Skillnet Ireland with the announcement by Minister Simon Harris of a strengthened mandate reinforcing our mission to focus on workforce development working in partnership with the enterprise sector. In this the EU year of Skills we are making substantial progress in futureproofing Irish business through talent development so employers fully capitalise on the opportunities presented by technological innovation, digitalisation and the green transition.”
Paul Healy, Chief Executive, Skillnet Ireland, said: “As a knowledge-based economy nurturing our highly skilled workforce is central to our national competitiveness. Skillnet Ireland’s approach is based on flexibility, working with companies to respond to new industry trends in a fast and targeted way. We look forward to growing our partnerships with industry, higher education and State agencies in 2023”.
In 2022, together with its industry partners Skillnet Ireland delivered several large-scale talent initiatives between industry, Government and higher education institutes to meet complex challenges and to enhance the specialist skills of the Irish workforce. Skillnet Ireland launched The Innovation Exchange initiative in early 2022, operating as an innovation marketplace to match large corporates with digital challenges to scaling SME technology companies. Skillnet Ireland also forged many new strategic partnerships to deliver a range of talent development programmes, research projects and new business supports to assist companies attract and retain talent.
