Skillnet Ireland hosted an enterprise event as part of its National Roadshow 2026 in Dublin. The event, which was co-hosted with Fingal Chamber Skillnet, CILT Mobility & Supply Chain Skillnet, with support from the Dublin Regional Skills Forum, was attended by business leaders, skills stakeholders and industry representatives from Fingal and the North East region, who came together to explore workforce development challenges and opportunities across the capital and wider Fingal region.
A research report from Skillnet Ireland entitled ‘Ireland’s Talent Landscape: Future Skills Challenges of Irish Business’, carried out by Ipsos B&A, shows a strong demand for upskilling among businesses across Dublin, with a particular focus on digitalisation and the green economy. A new strategy entitled 'Empowering Enterprise - A Strategy for Next Generation Capability 2026-2028', was recently launched by Skillnet Ireland and designed to work with businesses of all size across Ireland to develop the talent and skills needed for their future success.
The Dublin roadshow event took place as part of the Department of Transport’s 4th annual Logistics and Supply Chain Skills Week, with a strong focus on workforce development in the logistics and supply chain sector alongside broader cross-sector challenges.
Speaking at the event, Mark Jordan, Skillnet Ireland Chief Executive, said: "The findings from the Ireland’s Talent Landscape report reinforce the vital importance of industry-led upskilling to support business resilience and long-term growth. With significant demand for AI, 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.”
Anthony Cooney, Chief Executive, Fingal Chamber, added: “Across Fingal’s diverse business community, from finance and IT to manufacturing, agriculture and transport, the pace of change has accelerated dramatically. The upskilling and training supports provided through Fingal Chamber Skillnet and Skillnet Ireland are helping businesses adapt, future-proof their workforce, and remain competitive in an increasingly fast-moving marketplace.”
The research highlights the upskilling demands of companies in the capital to remain competitive in Ireland’s rapidly evolving digital and green economy. The findings revealed that over one-third (41%) of businesses in Dublin will require digital upskilling for their workforce in the next two to three years, while 68% cited a lack of skills as the main barrier to adopting AI into their operations. The report has been used to inform Skillnet Ireland's strategic commitment to the regional development of businesses facing an increasingly digital and AI-driven future, and a low-carbon and sustainable economy, as well as aiming to bolster foreign direct investment through a focus on talent development.
There are 16 Skillnet Business Networks headquartered in Dublin, including Fingal Chamber Skillnet. Over 6,000 businesses and 41,00 individuals in the region participate in upskilling programmes with Skillnet Business Networks.
51% of businesses surveyed expect a change in their core skills over the next two to three years, and 65% highlighted the importance of access to continuing education for their employees.
Almost one-third (28%) of businesses in the region said they will need sustainability upskilling for their workforce in the coming years. Energy efficiency (63%), policy & regulations (63%), innovation and creativity (58%) and circular economy (45%) top the list of climate action skills needed by local enterprises, while digital skills such as Microsoft Office proficiency (82%), cloud computing (68%) business intelligence tools (57%) and the Internet of Things (57%) are in particularly high demand.
The research also found that over half (52%) of businesses surveyed reported that time commitments prevent employees from upskilling, while three-quarters (76%) said dedicated industry support would encourage engagement in upskilling.
The greatest uptake of training by sector across Dublin came from the Services sector, followed by Medtech/Pharma, ICT/Technology, Food & Drink, Manufacturing/Construction, Retail & Wholesale and Agri-business. 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 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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