Our Funding

Skillnet Ireland is a business support agency of the Government of Ireland, with a mandate to advance the competitiveness, productivity, and innovation of Irish businesses through enterprise-led workforce development. Skillnet Ireland is funded from the National Training Fund through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

Skillnet Ireland’s mission is to help businesses in Ireland to be the best they can be, through innovative and enterprise-driven people development. Skillnet Ireland and its 70+ Skillnet Business Networks help prepare over 22,300 businesses and 86,500 workers for the future of work each year.

Our Business Networks

Skillnet Ireland has partnered with over 57 industry bodies nationwide across most sectors and all regions to establish 70+ Skillnet Business Networks. These networks consist of businesses within the same sector or region who are facing similar business challenges, which can be addressed through innovative talent development.

Skillnet Networks are based in all regions of the country and most sectors, including ICT, retail, agri-food, medtech, technology, manufacturing, design, engineering, financial services, private healthcare, media, construction plus many more. Skillnet Networks work with business owners and managers to develop bespoke upskilling solutions for their business and to provide relevant upskilling where and when its needed.

All private sector businesses of any size, including sole traders, that are based in the Republic of Ireland are eligible to undertake part-funded upskilling with Skillnet Ireland. Businesses can engage with one or more Skillnet Network. You can find a Skillnet Network that has experience in your sector or region and understands your specific business needs.

For further information click here to find our Networks.

Skills Connect

Skills Connect is an initiative of Skillnet Ireland that helps workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Skills Connect is a series of free training and upskilling programmes that include industry-based work placements, to support people who have lost their jobs to upskill or reskill to:

• secure new roles within their previous sector
• access roles in new sectors

Skills Connect offers individuals the opportunity to develop new skills or reskill, build confidence and access practical on-the-job training.

For more information click here.

MentorsWork

MentorsWork is designed to help business owner-managers and leaders sustain and improve their business performance through expert business mentoring. It is a free, structured, online business-support programme designed to provide small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) with expert business mentoring, skills and supports that will help them thrive by addressing their specific business needs.

MentorsWork is delivered in partnership with the Small Firms Association (SFA) and other industry partners.

Learn more here.