Retail Ireland Skillnet

Network overview

Retail Ireland Skillnet supports businesses of all sizes in the retail sector through the provision subsidised upskilling programmes. The network’s mission is to grow Ireland’s highly competitive retail sector by enhancing specialised skills and knowledge, broadening access to skills development opportunities and encouraging ongoing professional development. The network places a core focus on work-based learning. 

Collaborating with industry, the network designs, develops and delivers responsive, bespoke and flexible training courses to address the ongoing needs of businesses. Retail Ireland Skillnet is promoted by Retail Ireland, an IBEC business association. Membership of the network is open to private business.

Supports to businesses

• Assist businesses to identify and address current and future skills needs 
• Information regarding successful approaches to learning and talent development 
• Guidance on achieving value for money when investing in learning and development 
• Strategic programmes that enhance business innovation and sectoral competitiveness 
• Flexible training and education programmes customised to the needs of the sector 
• Innovative new programme design and development 
• Leadership programmes for business owners and executives 
• Certified and non-certified technical training 
• Training relating to communication, problem-solving and other core skills 
• Advice on gauging the effectiveness of training 
• Access to a network of businesses within the sector 
• Conferences, seminars, and other informal learning and networking events 

Retail Ireland Skillnet offers retail professionals such as ourselves a fantastic opportunity to gain a degree-level qualification which recognises their industry expertise, setting them up for a career within the retail sector. Our team members at Brown Thomas who have completed the Bachelor of Business in Retail Management programme are energised and highly motivated within their roles because of this new learning opportunity. The programme brings together all of the best practice theory and allows attendees to reflect on how this really works in their own businesses, bringing it to life and making it extremely relevant.

Gretta Nash Cadden - Brown Thomas

Training and employee development is vital within the retail sector. The more time we invest in training our staff and managers, the more confident they become. Consequently, they enjoy what they do more and get a lot more out of their job. We use Retail Ireland Skillnet when training new staff members and to further train our existing staff. Everyone benefits from this sector-specific training, leading to obvious benefits for the company.

Michelle O'Gorman - Kilkenny Group