Minister Harkin Highlights Importance of AI Skills for Regional Competitiveness at Skillnet Ireland EU Presidency Event in Sligo

Minister of State for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Marian Harkin TD, was joined by leaders from business, education and workforce development at a special Irish EU Presidency networking event hosted by Skillnet Ireland, focused on strengthening Europe’s regional economies through AI skills development.

An official event of Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union entitled Empowering Europe’s Regional Economies Through AI Skills, was hosted at the AIM Centre, Sligo, on November 6th.

The industry gathering reflected the European policy focus on competitiveness, innovation and workforce readiness in the wake of increasing digital transformation across all sectors. Discussions explored the skills barriers currently facing companies seeking to adopt AI technologies and highlighted the importance of employer-led learning solutions in supporting business transformation and long-term economic resilience.

Minister Marian Harkin said: "Today's discussions demonstrated the value of connecting European policy ambitions with the practical realities facing businesses in regions including the North-West. The successful adoption of AI will depend not only on technology investment but on ensuring businesses and workers have the capabilities required to harness these technologies effectively. Through our Skillnet Business Networks, National Initiatives and European Project portfolio, Skillnet Ireland continues to support enterprises of all sizes to build the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly digital economy.”

Mark Jordan, Chief Executive of Skillnet Ireland, said: "Artificial intelligence presents a significant opportunity for businesses and workers across Ireland and Europe, but realising its full potential depends on ensuring people have access to the right skills. Regional economies are central to Europe's future competitiveness and resilience. By investing in industry-led upskilling and lifelong learning, we can help businesses embrace innovation, improve productivity and create sustainable economic growth in every region."

Skillnet Ireland is the national workforce development agency, responsible for advancing the competitiveness, productivity and innovation of businesses through enterprise-led workforce development. In partnership with 57 industry bodies, Skillnet Ireland delivers upskilling and reskilling programmes in collaboration with education institutions and training providers, to companies of all sizes, across all regions of Ireland. 

The findings of Skillnet Ireland’s Ireland's Talent Landscape 2026 research were also highlighted. The report revealed that 78% of business leaders view upskilling as a strategic priority and critical to future business success, while more than half of companies expect the core skills required by their workforce to change over the next three years. 

Skillnet Ireland actively supports Europe's skills and innovation ecosystem through the delivery of European partnership projects that support enterprise transformation, workforce development and competitiveness. In 2025, Skillnet Ireland delivered seven European partnership projects funded under Erasmus+ and Digital Europe, working with 115 partner organisations across 25 countries, including 48 higher education institutions.

These initiatives support the development of advanced digital skills for virtual worlds and immersive technologies through the Virtual Worlds Skills Academy (ViWAS), digital transformation in healthcare through SUSA, address cybersecurity skills needs through Digital4Security, strengthen digital leadership through Digital4Business, and support the development of clean energy capabilities through Green Skills for Hydrogen.

The event also showcased the impact of European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) investment in Ireland. In 2025, 5,071 learners participated in ESF+-funded programmes delivered through Skillnet Business Networks and the Skillnet Climate Ready Academy, supporting digital transformation, green skills development, regional growth and lifelong learning opportunities for workers across all sectors and regions.

According to the last reported figures, Skillnet Ireland, supported 23,142 businesses and 84,515 trainees nationwide. Skillnet Business Networks, National Initiatives and EU Projects delivered 715,488 training days across 9,208 workforce development programmes. Over 4,800 people and 1,200 businesses in Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo chose Skillnet Business Networks and National Initiatives to develop skills, improve competitiveness, and prepare for the future, in 2025.  

The Empowering Europe’s Regional Economies Through AI Skills event reinforced the importance of ensuring regional economies remain at the centre of Europe's competitiveness agenda and highlighted the vital role that AI skills development will play in supporting future economic growth.

• For further information about Skillnet Ireland’s work in connecting Irish enterprises with European skills supports, visit: www.skillnetireland.ie/about-us/eu-projects. 

• Skillnet Ireland's Ireland’s Talent Landscape 2026 report is available to view, here.