In 2022, 3,000 people, and 1,000 businesses participated in upskilling with a Skillnet Ireland Business Network in counties Laois, Offaly and Westmeath.
Figures from Skillnet Ireland reveal the national agency for workforce development delivered 25,100 training days across all three counties last year. 56% of those who undertook training were men and 44% were women, while those aged 30 to 39 years were the largest group of people availing of upskilling supports.
The vast majority (96.2% ) of the 1,000 Laois, Offaly and Westmeath companies that upskilled their workforce with Skillnet Ireland in 2022 were small and medium enterprises. The greatest uptake came from the Food & Drink sector followed by the Services, Agriculture, Health, Manufacturing, Technology and Retail sectors. Companies based in Laois, Offaly and Westmeath undertook upskilling programmes with 58 Skillnet Business Networks, including Midland Border East Skillnet.
The Skillnet Ireland Annual Report, for 2022 found that nationwide, upskilling and training programmes to the value of €70.2 million, were provided to almost 25,000 businesses and over 92,000 workers across the Irish economy and the regions. Companies contributed €26.5 million or 37% of the total investment towards upskilling their staff, a €4 million increase on 2021, signalling a high level of buy-in from industry sectors to develop their teams in partnership with Skillnet Ireland.
Skillnet Ireland provides programmes to business of all sizes across all regions in key areas such as digital skills and skills for a green transition. Every business, large or small, is facing challenges, from the need for digital advancement, to talent shortages and skills gaps. In this, the EU Year of Skills, which runs until May 2024, Skillnet Ireland, the national talent development agency, is making substantial progress in futureproofing businesses in Laois, Offaly and Westmeath, as well as enhancing the specialist skills of the Irish workforce through talent development.
“As a knowledge-based economy nurturing our highly skilled workforce is central to our national competitiveness. Skillnet Ireland’s approach is based on flexibility, working with companies to respond to new industry trends in a fast and targeted way. We look forward to growing our partnerships with industry, higher education and State agencies in 2023," Skillnet Ireland Chief Executive, Paul Healy, said.
