About Skillnet Ireland
Skillnet Ireland is a business support agency of the Government of Ireland, responsible for advancing the competitiveness, productivity and innovation of businesses operating in Ireland through enterprise-led workforce development.
The primary objective of Skillnet Ireland is to increase participation in enterprise training by businesses. We believe that training and upskilling are key elements in keeping businesses competitive in both a domestic and international context. We also believe that training and upskilling significantly enhances the career mobility of the workforce.
As Ireland’s only business support agency dedicated to workforce development, we put enterprise in control of the process. We partner with over 57 industry bodies that are either sectoral or geographically based and foster a networked and partnership-based approach that leverages Ireland’s open culture of collaboration.
Skillnet Ireland operates on a joint investment model, where Government grants are combined with contributions from enterprise, thus reducing costs and other barriers for businesses.
Encouraging enterprise to lead the process in this way helps ensure that programmes delivered through Skillnet Ireland are highly relevant to the needs of industry. This approach also enables cohesive enterprise networking and the flexibility to respond to ever-changing skills demands through both formal and informal learning.
Skillnet Ireland has received international recognition as a best practice model from the EU, the OECD, the ILO, amongst others. We are ambitious for Ireland. We are ambitious for Irish enterprise.
Our Purpose
Funding Support:
Through our 70+ Skillnet Business Networks, Skillnet Ireland allocates funding to groups of businesses in the same industry sector (or region) and with similar training needs, so they can deliver subsidised training for their teams. Skillnet Ireland also plays a key role in supporting and enabling Skillnet funded groups to reach their full potential.
Promoting Upskilling:
Skillnet Ireland plays an important role in contributing to the national conversation on workforce development and in promoting the value of upskilling for those in employment and those seeking employment.
Business Networking:
Great synergies are derived from clusters of businesses with similar challenges (and opportunities) working together. Participating in a Skillnet Business Network creates these valuable business networking opportunities for businesses.
Career Development:
Skillnet Ireland enhances the general competency and employability of learners, leading to increased career mobility and greater life opportunities.
Developing Future Skills:
Skillnet Ireland plays a key role in supplying skills to the Irish workforce by collaborating with enterprise and agencies to develop new innovative programmes to address both current and future skill needs.
Policy:
Skillnet Ireland supports the development of national policy in relation to workforce development by using our voice and enterprise insights to help shape national responses in an ever-changing skills and talent landscape.
Skillnet Ireland was established in 1999 and is funded from the National Training Fund through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
Accessing our services
Private sector and commercial semi-state businesses can join a relevant Skillnet Business Network and avail of our services.
Businesses can access our services in a number of ways:
Contact one or more of our 70+ Skillnet Business Networks directly for a wide range of learning and training solutions across many sectors and regions. Network Managers are experienced in helping businesses to identify the appropriate training solutions to address the skills challenges you face.
To find contact details for your relevant Skillnet Business Network, click here.
To join a Skillnet Business Network, you should contact the most relevant network for you or consider establishing a new Skillnet Business Network for your sector or region. Find a network or consider developing a new network.
For more information about Skillnet Ireland visit www.skillnetireland.ie