Skillnet Ireland championing the EU Year of Skills

Launched last month, the EU Year of Skills is aimed at giving fresh impetus to lifelong learning and upskilling across Europe. “This will support innovation and competitiveness in Ireland and the European Union,” says Tracey Donnery, director of communications and policy at Skillnet Ireland.

“Skillnet Ireland is championing the Year of Skills, which will run until May next year,” she adds. “We are encouraging people and employers to understand the critical need for upskilling. We are encouraging everyone to make a learning plan, to stay curious, and keep themselves relevant for the world of work. We want everyone to seek out opportunities to learn both for their career and personal life. Skillnet Ireland and our 70 Skillnet networks around the country deliver over 10,000 programmes every year, and this year we will be designing and delivering a number of innovative events to promote the Year of Skills.”

According to Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris, the Year of Skills promises to be “a very exciting time to acknowledge Irish talent and to shine a light on the importance of Ireland’s highly skilled workforce to our economy and society. Skillnet Ireland has achieved a strong track record since it was established in 1999, and continues to spearhead the provision of skills, talent, and workforce development through partnership with industry, other government agencies and our education and training ecosystem.”

Donnery emphasises the broad nature of the skills required in a modern workplace. “As well as constantly upskilling in specialist and technical areas, it is becoming more and more important for employers to adopt a skills-first approach. This encompasses what have become known as power skills; the transversal skills like critical thinking, commercial judgment, and analytical ability that people need in the increasingly complex working environment. These skills will help them design products and services for future markets.”

Skillnet Ireland championing the EU Year of Skills

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So-called soft skills are important as well. “We are working with agencies like the IDA and Enterprise Ireland on programmes to help business leaders to develop the skills and competencies needed in areas like negotiations and managing people.”

Skillnet Ireland’s offering extends beyond structured training programmes. “We also facilitate the exchange of best practice between businesses. Skillnet Ireland facilitates learning, but not only formal learning. For example, the Cobotics Skillnet has brought people from advanced manufacturing plants to see other plants in operation, often those of competitors. They can see how those other companies are applying cobotics and other digital and advanced manufacturing technologies.”

Formal learning is important but so is informal learning from peers, she adds. “Skillnet Ireland gives people opportunities to learn and share with others. Another thing we look at in building skills and developing talent is areas where there is a convergence of skills. That sees different Skillnet Networks working together to deliver programmes. The Space Industry Skillnet and the Technology Ireland Skillnet recently held a joint event to bring companies in different industry together to share best practice and knowledge.”

The EU Year of Skills launch coincided with that of the new Cultural and Creative Industries Skillnet, Donnery notes. “The arts, culture, media, and creative sectors are critically important to Ireland both in terms of economic value and social and cultural value in representing Ireland’s reputation globally. This year alone saw 14 Oscar nominations for Ireland’s screen sector, a significant milestone. The cultural and creative sector faces challenges and opportunities related to skills and talent development, especially in areas like digital transformation, sustainability and leadership. The new Skillnet network will help the sector to address these challenges and capitalise on future opportunities.”

Another new initiative will see the launch later this month of the new Dairy Science Centre of Excellence in UCC, a collaboration between government agencies including Skillnet Ireland, academic institutions and industry representatives to develop industry-informed training programmes to meet the needs of current and future dairy professionals.

Programmes developed by Taste4Success Skillnet and UCC include new postgraduate diplomas and masters qualifications, stackable qualifications and pathways for dairy professionals throughout their careers. In addition a new qualification is being developed called a Digital Badge in Dairy Chemistry to provide a pathway for people without the necessary science qualifications to access the specialised dairy technology and innovation programmes offered by the new centre of excellence.

“Attracting, developing and retaining dairy professionals has been an ongoing challenge for the agri-food sector,” says Taste4Success Skillnet manager Bridie Corrigan Matthews. “Taste4Success Skillnet have worked in partnership with UCC on behalf of industry, to develop and launch a suite of professional qualifications and pathways to ensure a steady pipeline of talent for the sector. The soon to launch Centre of Excellence is a milestone for the Irish dairy industry in rising to these challenges.”