More than 6,100 people and 1,450 businesses in Galway took part in upskilling services organised by Skillnet Ireland last year.
Figures from the Skillnet Ireland Annual Report 2024 reveal that the national agency for talent development delivered over 53,660 training days in Galway last year.
Of those who undertook training, 53% were men and 47% were women, while those aged 30 to 39 availed of upskilling supports more than any other age group.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, said, “As the national workforce development agency, Skillnet Ireland plays a key role in developing the talent that Irish businesses need through upskilling and reskilling.”
“In 2024, it supported over 24,000 businesses, the vast majority of them SMEs, to address their skills needs in order to remain competitive.”
“By supporting Irish businesses to upskill and reskill, Skillnet Ireland is helping to foster resilience and innovation, so that companies can adapt to and meet the challenges posed by the digital and green transitions.”
The vast majority (91%) of companies in Galway that upskilled their employees with Skillnet Ireland in 2024 were small and medium size enterprises.
The greatest uptake came from the technology sector followed by services, health, pharmaceutical, agriculture, life sciences and engineering.
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.
Skillnet Ireland Chief Executive, Mark Jordan, said, “As a knowledge-based economy nurturing our highly skilled workforce is central to our national competitiveness.”
“Over 24,000 Irish businesses chose to invest in upskilling and develop their people through Skillnet Ireland in 2024, which indicates the appetite for upskilling within the corporate landscape.”
“We are proud to support employers throughout Ireland to both invest in their teams and strengthen Ireland’s position as a leader in innovation and sustainable growth.”
More than 24,000 businesses participated in upskilling programmes for their employees through Skillnet Ireland last year, amounting to 90,136 workers across the Irish economy.
Through a cost-sharing approach with employers, contributions from businesses represented 37% of the total investment into upskilling for businesses, €28 million out of €76 million spent.
This demonstrates a high level of confidence and buy-in from companies developing their teams in partnership with Skillnet Ireland.
