AI and the future of work
Skillnet Ireland Director of Policy and Communications, Tracey Donnery, discusses the future of work and the emerging opportunities for businesses offered by AI and the twin digital and green transitions.
Looking to the future of work in Ireland, the twin digital and green transitions are going to be increasingly important to the success of individual businesses and the Irish economy as a whole. Over the coming decades, digital technologies will play a major role in shaping competitiveness, productivity, and sustainability across the globe. Supporting Ireland’s highly skilled workforce to develop the right skillsets to drive the digital transition will be key to maintaining Ireland’s competitive edge. As the national talent development agency for enterprise, Skillnet Ireland focuses on ensuring that Ireland has a future-ready workforce to navigate the digital and green transitions and enabling companies to bolster their competitiveness in these rapidly evolving areas.
A recent European Commission report entitled Pact for Skills: Analysing of Upskilling and Reskilling Policy Initiatives and Identifying Best Practices ranked Skillnet Ireland first out of 47 upskilling initiatives in benchmarking based on overall average key performance metrics, as well as topping the analysis for impact on businesses and impact/contribution to the economy including to the digital and climate agenda. The report assessed best-practice upskilling initiatives for enterprise in all EU member states, the United States, UK, Canada, China, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, India and South Africa. The report was conducted by PwC and commissioned by the European Innovation Council (EIC) which was established under the EU Horizon Europe programme which supports innovation across the EU.
“We are pleased with this very positive outcome recognising Skillnet Ireland. This result reinforces Ireland’s reputation for leading-edge workforce development policies and business supports. This success is made possible by the excellent work of the many industry partners, academic institutions and enterprise agencies that work collaboratively with Skillnet Ireland to support enterprise-led talent development across all regions and sectors,” says Donnery.
The EU Pact for Skills not only addresses immediate needs but also sets a strategic direction for the future of work and skill development in Europe, and developing a resilient, skilled workforce capable of navigating the challenges brought forth by the digital and green transitions. It emphasises the importance of upskilling and reskilling the working-age population, leveraging existing EU cooperation initiatives, and promoting a culture of lifelong learning.
Future skills needs for the digital transition
Ireland has set out its ambition to be a digital leader at the heart of European and global digital developments, explains Donnery: “We know that digitalisation is a key priority for Irish business. In our National Talent Landscape report, we assessed the skills needs of 500 business leaders in Ireland with over 65 per cent of all businesses stating that their staff would require some form of digital upskilling in the coming years.
“The report highlights that Irish businesses recognise both the challenges and opportunities that accelerated digitalisation brings, and crucially, they recognise the importance of equipping their workforces with the necessary skillsets to navigate this landscape.
“Over 40 per cent of large businesses see the huge potential for AI skills to grow their businesses over the coming years. We are also seeing the same trend emerging from SMEs, with more than 20 per cent seeing AI skills as a critical growth area. There is a growing awareness across businesses of all sizes about the opportunities that AI can bring.”
Digital and AI skills
Skillnet Ireland plays a crucial role in facilitating the necessary upskilling and talent development initiatives needed to support Irish enterprise, and particularly SMEs, in the digital transition. Through its numerous Digital and Technology Skillnet Business Networks and national initiatives, Skillnet Ireland supported over 13,000 workers undertaking digital skills programmes with a two-pronged focus on specialised talent for new or emerging technologies, and in enabling digital transformation within the SME sector.
Every organisation, regardless of its industry and offering is now an information company. From relationships with external partners and customers to internal operations, digital technologies and platforms are impacting and transforming every job function within every firm and industry.
The unique thing about the Skillnet Ireland model is that the upskilling programmes provided are industry-led, so they are designed to meet the specific needs of businesses of all sizes and sectors. Within the AI space, Skillnet Ireland has expanded its range of supports in recent years, from specialist masters in artificial intelligence with UL and DCU, to AI skills for machine visioning systems and predictive maintenance in advanced manufacturing, to UX Design for immersive technologies and sports analytics, technology, and innovation.
Rapid responses
In delivering the ambitious Climate Action Plan targets to halve emissions by 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2050, businesses across every region and sector face the challenge of integrating climate change considerations, and long-term sustainability, into their business models and culture. Talent therefore, is at the very forefront of the green transition.
Over 1,800 businesses and 5,800 employees benefit from climate and sustainability upskilling programmes delivered by Skillnet Ireland annually across a range of areas including energy management, offshore wind, water stewardship, biodiversity management and efficiency in building systems.
Skillnet Climate Ready Academy
Launched in 2021, the Skillnet Climate Ready Academy works closely with key industry stakeholders and agencies, including Uisce Éireann, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia, SEAI and the EPA, to ensure impactful, best in class training is delivered to companies seeking to enhance their sustainability. Since 2021, over 1,000 businesses and 3,500 individuals have progressed through the Academy, collectively committing to delivering over 2,500 sustainability actions.
The Skillnet Climate Ready Academy has also developed the first series of stackable micro-credential programmes in energy management, waste and circular economy, biodiversity and others to bridge the skills gaps in organisations and improve enterprise productivity as well as enabling career development and progression for employees.
“The stackable nature of the micro-credentials gives employees the opportunity to gain a level 7 university accredited certificate in the fundamentals of sustainable resource management from the University of Limerick. This has proven to be a significant factor in our engagement with businesses. In June 2024, over 80 learners will graduate and be awarded Ireland’s first stackable micro-credential Certificate in Sustainability, all having made a concrete impact on sustainability practices within their business,” Donnery says.
Accelerating competitiveness
Ireland’s international reputation and profile as an innovative, agile and high-performing economy is critically dependent on its talented and highly skilled workforce. The digital and green transitions are some of the greatest challenges businesses will face, and those that embrace the transformation are set to benefit from the opportunities it affords. This transformation demands a robust and durable supply of talent and highly skilled workers. Skillnet Ireland works closely with enterprise and the tertiary sector to design and deliver innovative and impactful talent development programmes that meet the needs of businesses. As the national talent development agency for enterprise, Skillnet Ireland actively promotes lifelong learning and supports over 24,000 businesses and 92,000 learners with training and upskilling needs annually through its 70 Business Networks and national initiatives including Skillnet Climate Ready Academy, Skillnet Innovation Exchange and MentorsWork.
“Businesses enjoy working with Skillnet Ireland because they have a high degree of control and influence over the process. Our deep roots with enterprise allow us to respond to skills challenges in a proactive and agile manner. We understand the importance of upskilling and lifelong learning to the digitalisation of the economy, while also appreciating the real difficulties businesses face. Therefore, we partner with industry and educational providers to develop workforce upskilling solutions that work for businesses,” Donnery adds.
T: 01 207 9630
E: info@skillnetireland.ie
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