Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, and Erin McGreehan, TD for Louth and Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Further and Higher Education, attended a Skillnet Ireland regional roadshow enterprise event in the Creative Spark Hub, Dundalk, Co Louth, on Friday, January 23rd, 2026.
A recent research report from Skillnet Ireland entitled Ireland’s Talent Landscape 2025: Future Skills Challenges of Irish Business, authored by Ipsos B&A, shows a strong demand for upskilling among businesses in counties Louth, Cavan and Monaghan with a particular focus on digitalisation and the green economy. The enterprise event was attended by a broad range of businesses from across the North-East region.
Speaking at the event, Minister Lawless said: “Workforce development is at the heart of Ireland’s competitiveness in an era defined by digital transformation and the transition to a lowcarbon economy. The findings of this research show that businesses in the North-East are not just responding to change, they are actively leading the way in developing their talent. This Government, working closely with Skillnet Ireland, is committed to ensuring that employers and workers have access to the targeted, flexible upskilling they need to adapt, innovate and grow.”
Deputy Erin McGreehan said: “The findings presented today underline the scale of the skills transition facing Irish businesses in the years ahead. It is encouraging to see strong engagement from enterprises in preparing for changes driven by digitalisation and the green economy. Ensuring access to high-quality, responsive upskilling supports will be central to building a resilient workforce in the North-East region and sustaining enterprise growth across the economy.”
The findings revealed that over one-third (36%) of businesses in Ireland’s North-East will require digital upskilling for their workforce in the next two to three years. The report will inform Skillnet Ireland's strategic commitment to the regional development of businesses facing an increasingly digital future, and a low-carbon and sustainable economy, as well as aiming to bolster foreign direct investment through a focus on talent development.
Five Skillnet Business Networks are based in the North-East, including Dundalk Chamber Skillnet, M1 Drogheda Chamber Skillnet, Midland Border East Skillnet, Learning Waves Skillnet and Positive2Work Skillnet. Over 1,200 businesses and 5,800 individuals in the region participate in upskilling programmes with Skillnet Networks.
Mark Jordan, Skillnet Ireland Chief Executive, added: "The findings from Ireland’s Talent Landscape 2025 reinforce the vital importance of industry-led upskilling to support business resilience and long-term growth. With significant demand for digital, sustainability and innovation skills, Skillnet Ireland, through our Business Networks and National Initiatives is supporting companies to respond directly to change, strengthen productivity and build the talent base required to compete both nationally and internationally.”
The research, part of the national talent development agency’s Ireland’s Talent Landscape 2025: Future Skills Challenges of Irish Business report, highlights the upskilling demands of companies in counties Louth, Cavan and Monaghan to remain competitive in Ireland’s rapidly evolving digital and green economy.
96% of businesses surveyed in the North-East regard their business as strong or very strong, 62% expect a change in their core skills in the next two to three years, while 72% say it is important that their employees have access to further education.
Over one-third (35%) of businesses in the region said they will need sustainability upskilling for their workforce in the coming years. Energy efficiency (81%), innovation and creativity (79%) and circular economy top the list of climate action skills needed by local enterprises, while digital skills such as Microsoft Office proficiency (72%), cloud computing (62%) and Internet of Things (51%) are in particularly high demand.
The research also notes that over half (53%) of businesses surveyed reported that time commitments prevent employees from upskilling, while 91% said increased dedicated industry support would help encourage engagement and uptake in upskilling.
The greatest uptake of training by sector across the North-East came from the Services sector, followed by Medtech/Pharma, Food & Drink, Agri-business, Manufacturing, Retail & Wholesale and ICT/Technology. For business leaders, skills development plays an important role in delivering key projects related to climate action, digitalisation, innovation and modern methods of construction.
The Skillnet Ireland Ireland’s Talent Landscape 2025: Future Skills Challenges of Irish Business report, authored by Ipsos B&A, has built on the inaugural Ireland’s Talent Landscape study of last year.
The Ireland’s Talent Landscape 2025: Future Skills Challenges of Irish Business report is available to view at https://www.skillnetireland.ie/insights/irelands-talent-landscape-2025.
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