Skillnet Ireland Launches Three Year Statement of Strategy

Skillnet Ireland has launched its new strategy, ‘Empowering Enterprise 2026-2028, A Strategy for Next Generation Capability’ which sets out Skillnet Ireland’s ambitions for the future of Irish business and workforce. The strategy presents a roadmap for strengthening Ireland’s competitiveness and enabling business transformation through digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainability.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, TD, said: “Over the past 25 years, Skillnet Ireland has built a forward‑looking vision for developing a workforce that is skilled, adaptable, inclusive, and prepared for the opportunities and challenges ahead. This new strategy further strengthens the organisation’s enterprise‑led model by advancing high‑impact skills programmes and responding to emerging business needs in areas such as digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and green technologies. Skillnet Ireland is broadening its engagement with businesses and helping to shape a national workforce ready for long‑term success.”

Brendan McGinty, Chairperson of Skillnet Ireland, said: “Ireland’s economic success has long been underpinned by its people, whose talent, innovation and adaptability have positioned the country as a competitive and resilient economy. The rapid acceleration of artificial intelligence is emerging as one of the most profound forces reshaping the future of work. Alongside the transition to a green economy, evolving patterns of work and demographic pressures, AI is reshaping labour markets at unprecedented speed. We are addressing these and other emerging challenges, with support from the National Training Fund and investment from industry. Skillnet Ireland occupies a unique position of being informed by industry to create the skills training required by industry. It is this intersection, between businesses and education that can contribute to not just the stability, but the success of the Irish economy.”

Mark Jordan, Chief Executive, Skillnet Ireland, added: “At the heart of our new strategy is a clear commitment to ensuring Irish businesses have the talent needed to succeed in a period of profound change. Through targeted, industry-led upskilling solutions, we will strengthen enterprise competitiveness and build the expertise required for a low-carbon, digital and AI-driven economy. By strengthening collaboration across industry, government and education, and by fostering a strong culture of lifelong learning, we will contribute to a more agile, connected and resilient skills ecosystem. An ecosystem that supports regional growth, attracts investment, and enables enterprises across Ireland to thrive.”

The new strategy seeks to expand Skillnet Ireland’s ongoing activities by supporting 100,000 business over the course of the coming three years to 2028. Skillnet Ireland will increase the number of new Irish SMEs engaged in talent development and upskilling with Skillnet Ireland for the first time, supporting 15,000 new businesses, including 1,000 start-ups and scale-ups focussing on innovation capability, over the next three years.

‘Empowering Enterprise 2026-2028, A Strategy for Next-Generation Capability’ was informed by an extensive multi-stakeholder consultation, working with industry partners and peer organisations to deliver a strategy that will support the competitiveness of Irish firms by equipping businesses with the knowledge, tools and capabilities to adapt and succeed within the rapidly changing global economy.

Further information about ‘Empowering Enterprise 2026-2028, A Strategy for Next-Generation Capability’ is available at www.skillnetireland.ie/strategy-2028.