In 2023, over 6,900 people and 1,700businesses in County Galway participated in upskilling with a Skillnet Ireland Business Network. This is an increase of 19% compared to 5,800 people and 1,500 businesses in 2022.
Figures from the Skillnet Ireland Annual Report 2023, reveal the national agency for workforce development delivered over 50,000 training days in County Galway last year. 51% of those who undertook training were men and 49% were women, while those aged 30 to 39 years were the largest group of people availing of upskilling supports.
The vast majority (93% ) of the Galway 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 Technology, Pharmaceutical, Health, Agriculture, Life Sciences and Manufacturing. Companies based in Galway 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 Galway Executive Skillnet, Itag Skillnet and Gréasan Na Meán 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 that 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. Upskilling is proven to increase employee retention and creates a pipeline of future talent. I would like to commend the almost 27,000 companies that chose to work with SkillnetIreland in 2023 and for putting the development of their teams centre stage. We look forward to continuing to support businesses, and the Irish workforce into the future,” he said.
As the national talent development agency, Skillnet Ireland is making substantial progress in futureproofing businesses in Galway, 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.
