Project EAGLE Conference Highlights Collaborative Pathways to Strengthen SME Digital Capability
Skillnet Ireland's key EU projects and partnerships
Skillnet Ireland is a partner in pan-European Partnerships and consortia projects that focus on digitalisation and the green transition in alignment with the foundations of the EU Recovery plan.
EU Pact for Skills
Skillnet Ireland is a member of the EU Pact for Skills, a shared engagement model for skills development in Europe. Through the Pact for Skills, individual companies, regional or local partnerships, industrial ecosystems and cross-sectoral partnerships share commitments to advance lifelong learning in their respective region or sector. Members of the Pact for Skills include companies, workers, national, regional and local authorities, social partners, cross-industry and sectoral organisations, education and training providers, chambers of commerce and employment services all have a key role to play.
Through this partnership, Skillnet Ireland supports businesses to navigate the challenges and new horizons that the green and digital transitions present.
Skillnet Ireland is a partner in several EU projects, delivering on priority objectives under the European Commission’s Digital Europe Programme and the Erasmus Plus programme.
Digital Europe Programme
Skillnet Ireland implements three EU projects along with European Universities and European industry partners to develop Masters programmes and short courses for SMEs in advanced digital skills. Through these projects, businesses can equip their people to learn about cybersecurity, data analytics, the Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence (AI).
The Digital4Security project is a four year project which will deliver an innovative and market-led European Masters programme in Cyber Security Management and Data Sovereignty. The project will equip European SMEs and companies across multiple sectors with the cybersecurity management, regulatory and technical skills needed to respond to existing and emerging cybersecurity threats.
The SUSA programme empowers current and future healthcare professionals with advanced digital skills in health data, including AI, cybersecurity, IoT, and data analytics. Through accredited degree programmes and lifelong learning modules, SUSA supports the digital transformation of Europe’s healthcare systems and helps build a more sustainable, data-driven future.
Erasmus Plus Programme
Skillnet Ireland supports projects focusing on the design and delivery of a highly innovative and sustainable skills strategy and provisions for Europe in the hydrogen and retail sectors. Part of the work being undertaken includes the design and implementation of a Hydrogen Skills Strategy for Europe that will ensure the skills needs of the rapidly evolving hydrogen value chain can be met.
Skillnet Ireland is also a partner in designing a new Retail Skills Strategy and Vocational and Educational Training Programme that will address the urgent and emerging skills needs of retailers in the key areas of digitalisation, green transition and resilience.
Past Projects
Skillnet Ireland has supported the implementation of EU skills policy by engaging in a range of workforce development initiatives through EU structural funds and Brussels-led consortia projects.
Project EAGLE contributes to establishing sustainable links between SMEs and higher education institutes and collaborates with enterprises to identify and then fill existing skills gaps.
Through Green Skills for Hydrogen, the European Hydrogen Skills Alliance is providing workers and industry with the new skills that are required to meet the challenging targets of the Green Transition.
Overview of the European Social Fund
Implemented by Member States in partnership with the European Commission, the European Social Fund (ESF+), is one of the EU’s key instruments for investing in people. It is focused on improving employment and education opportunities as well as enhancing social inclusion, with a particular emphasis on lifelong learning, skills development and diversity.
In Ireland, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) is the Managing Authority responsible for implementing ESF+, through the current Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training (EIST) Programme, which runs until 2027. EIST is a joint investment by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.
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Skillnet Ireland – Playing Our Part with EU Pact for Skills
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