News

Skillnet Ireland, the national talent development agency of Ireland, reports an increase in digital and sustainability upskilling for businesses of all sizes in its 2024 Annual Report. 14,711 workers benefited from digital skills programmes representing a 16% increase. Learners engaged in specialised digital upskilling in new or emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity, or broader digitalisation skills. Skillnet Ireland also provided upskilling to 7,720 workers for the green economy, an increase of 7% compared to 2023. 

More than 24,000 businesses participated in upskilling programmes for employees through Skillnet Ireland last year, amounting to 90,136 workers across the Irish economy. Through a cost sharing approach with employers, contributions from businesses represented €28 million, 37% of the total investment into upskilling for businesses, of €76million. This demonstrates a high level of buy-in from companies developing their teams in partnership with Skillnet Ireland. 

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, said: “As the national workforce development agency, Skillnet Ireland plays a key role in developing the talent that Irish businesses need through upskilling and reskilling. In 2024, it supported over 24,000 businesses, the vast majority of them SMEs, to address their skills needs in order to remain competitive. By supporting Irish businesses to upskill and reskill, Skillnet Ireland is helping to foster resilience and innovation, so that companies can adapt to and meet the challenges posed by the digital and green transitions.” 

Brendan McGinty, Chairperson, Skillnet Ireland, said: “Driving innovation and growth across our economy is strategically more important than ever, at this time, for Ireland. Throughout 2024 Skillnet Ireland has developed pioneering programmes in areas like AI, offshore wind, modern methods of construction, and sustainability, to meet Ireland’s most pressing skills challenges. Everything we do at Skillnet Ireland is achieved through collaboration, and we look forward to continuing our work with our partners across government, enterprise, and within the education sector, to bring about significant change, support, and increased investment in workforce development to the advantage of Irish businesses, and to support the ambitions of Irish workers.” 

Mark Jordan, Chief Executive, Skillnet Ireland, said: “As a knowledge-based economy nurturing our highly skilled workforce is central to our national competitiveness.  Over 24,000 Irish businesses chose to invest in upskilling and develop their people through Skillnet Ireland in 2024, which indicates the appetite for upskilling within the corporate landscape. We are proud to support employers throughout Ireland to both invest in their teams and strengthen Ireland’s position as a leader in innovation and sustainable growth.” 

Throughout 2024, Skillnet Ireland continued to deliver the objectives set out in its Statement of Strategy 2021-2025, with the launch of innovative workforce development supports for businesses including new initiatives dedicated to offshore wind and modern methods of construction.  

• To read the 2024 Annual Report in full, click here.  
• To view the 2024 summary results infographic, click here.