In 2023, over 2,700 people and 700 businesses in County Clare participated in upskilling with a Skillnet Ireland Business Network. This is an increase of 12.5% compared to 2,400 people and 620 businesses in 2022.
Figures from the Skillnet Ireland Annual Report 2023, reveal the national agency for workforce development delivered over 20,400 training days in County Clare last year.
62% of those who undertook training were men and 38% were women, while those aged 30 to 39 years were the largest group of people availing of upskilling supports.
The vast majority (95%) of the Clare companies that upskilled their workforce with Skillnet Ireland in 2023 were small and medium enterprises. The greatest uptake came from the Services sector followed by Agriculture, Technology, Transportation, Tourism & Travel, Health and Manufacturing.
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Companies based in Clare 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 Shannon Chamber Skillnet, Aviation Skillnet, Next Level Skillnet and Sustainable Enterprise Skillnet.
In 2023, Skillnet Ireland provided upskilling and training programmes to the value of €83.4 million to over 26,600 businesses and more than 97,700 workers nationally, across the Irish economy. Companies contributed €31.4 million or 37% of the total investment towards upskilling their staff, a €4.9 million increase on 2022, signalling a high level of buy-in from industry sectors to develop their teams in partnership with Skillnet Ireland.
Commenting on the uptake of Skillnet Ireland supports from businesses in 2023, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick O’Donovan TD, said: “The Irish economy continues to benefit greatly from Skillnet Ireland’s delivery of industry-led upskilling initiatives for businesses of all sizes.
“More than 97,000 people working in companies across Ireland took part in upskilling with Skillnet Ireland in 2023, across areas of increasing importance such as sustainability, digitalisation, innovation, and leadership.”
“These results demonstrate the significant work that is ongoing to nurture and support our nation’s greatest asset, our talent.”
Skillnet Ireland Chief Executive, Paul Healy, said: “As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of Skillnet Ireland, there is increasing recognition among employers of the importance of upskilling in a competitive and rapidly evolving business landscape.
“By investing in staff, through the cost sharing approach with Skillnet Ireland, businesses in this region, and throughout the country, are more agile and adapt to technological advancements more seamlessly.”
As the national talent development agency, Skillnet Ireland is making substantial progress in futureproofing businesses in Clare, as well as enhancing the specialist skills of the Irish workforce through talent development.
Established 25 years ago this year, Skillnet Ireland provides programmes to businesses of all sizes in key areas such as digital skills, skills for a green transition and enterprise leadership.
Every business, large or small, is facing challenges, from the need for digital advancement, to talent shortages and skills gaps.
The upskilling and lifelong learning supports offered by Skillnet Ireland’s 70 Business Networks and National Initiatives – Skillnet Climate Ready Academy, Skillnet Innovation Exchange and MentorsWork – are all designed to bridge skill gaps, empower individuals, and drive innovation.