Workers in their 30s most likely to take part in midlands Skillnet programmes
More than 2,700 people from businesses in Westmeath, Offaly and Laois participated in upskilling with Skillnet Business Networks in 2024, according to the Skillnet Ireland Annual Report.
Figure from the document reveal the national agency for talent development delivered some 26,800 training days in Westmeath, Offaly and Laois last year. Fifty three per cent of those who undertook training were men and 47% were women, while those aged 30 to 39 availed of upskilling supports more than any other age group.
Commenting on the uptake of Skillnet Ireland supports from businesses in 2024, 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.”
The vast majority (94%) of companies in Westmeath, Offaly and Laois that upskilled their employees with Skillnet Ireland in 2024 were small and medium size enterprises.
The greatest uptake came from the food and drink sector followed by services, agriculture, health, manufacturing, retail and engineering.
Companies based in Westmeath, Offaly and Laois undertook upskilling programmes with more than 50 of the 70 Skillnet Business Networks based on the sector in which their company operates, or with one of the networks in their region, which include First Polymer Training Skillnet, Space Industry Skillnet and Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet.
Skillnet Ireland chief executive, Mark Jordan, said: “As a knowledge-based economy nurturing our highly skilled workforce is central to our national competitiveness. Some 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.”
The 24,000-plus businesses that participated in upskilling programmes through Skillnet Ireland last year equates 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 €76 million. That demonstrates a high level of confidence and buy-in from companies developing teams in partnership with Skillnet Ireland.