Leading the future of offshore wind and modern construction upskilling
Skillnet Ireland, the national talent development agency, in collaboration with industry partner organisations, has delivered a substantial programme of work to support government enterprise and skills strategies, in areas like the Climate Action Plan, Housing for All, Ireland’s Offshore Wind Strategy, and more.
In 2024, Skillnet Ireland launched two innovative national upskilling initiatives designed to create a pipeline of world-class talent to help achieve Ireland’s ambitious housing and climate action targets.
The new initiatives, Skillnet MMC Accelerate and Skillnet Offshore Wind Academy, have been developed following extensive consultation with businesses and industry stakeholders operating in their respective sectors. Both schemes provide a centralised upskilling ecosystem, to streamline co-ordination between key partners in the programme design, delivery, and accreditation as well as infrastructure use and development.
Through its 70 Skillnet business networks and national initiatives, Skillnet Ireland engages directly with businesses to meet their talent development goals. Annually, the national talent development agency supports over 26,000 businesses and 97,000 workers right across the Irish economy.
Developed in collaboration with Construction IT Alliance (CitA), Skillnet MMC Accelerate provides businesses with upskilling resources that will accelerate the adoption of modern methods of construction (MMC) to become day to day construction practices.
As part of the process to developing this initiative, Skillnet Ireland published a report in collaboration with Construction Professional Skillnet, which highlighted that introducing skills initiatives for the construction industry with a focus on modern methodologies, has vast potential including addressing labour shortages, facilitating the transition to net zero and contributing towards a solution for housing issues in the Irish economy.
Mark Jordan, Chief Strategy Officer, Skillnet Ireland, says Skillnet MMC Accelerate will allow construction companies to expand their business horizons and embrace greener practices.
“Skillnet Ireland is supporting government housing policy through the provision of specialist, industry-led upskilling for professionals in the residential construction sector. Skillnet MMC Accelerate will provide the skills needed to drive housing delivery, by developing career pathways and new education and upskilling provision in modern methods of construction,” Jordan says.
“Sustainability is a top priority for all businesses and through this new national initiative, construction companies can benefit from access to the talent, upskilling supports, knowledge and networks that will help to accelerate their adoption of MMC. This innovative platform aims to enhance the sustainability, quality, speed, and affordability of housing delivery in Ireland.”
Skillnet MMC Accelerate is hosting a series of information events for people working in the construction sector, throughout 2025, to provide insights into the adoption of different MMC techniques, facilitate wider engagement and collaboration with relevant stakeholders, and emphasise the sustainability and productivity benefits associated with the increased use of MMC. The next phase of delivery will see a new national online platform which will showcase the MMC industry, highlight upcoming projects and investment in MMC, display future MMC career pathways, align the education and training ecosystem to these career opportunities, and provide links to other government, academic and industry supports available.
Ireland has an ambitious target to deliver 5GW of grid connected offshore wind energy, plus an additional 2GW in development for non-grid solutions, by 2030. This forms part of the Government’s target to provide 80 per cent of Ireland’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030. This is in addition to the long-term target of installing 37GW of offshore wind by 2050.
Responding to the demand for a skilled workforce to achieve these crucial climate action goals, Skillnet Ireland in collaboration with Wind Energy Ireland has launched Skillnet Offshore Wind Academy. The national initiative aims to fortify the offshore renewable energy sector by addressing skill gaps and aiding mid-career professionals in transitioning to the sector.
Skillnet Offshore Wind Academy offers a range of specialised micro-credential qualifications developed in partnership with Irish universities. These compact and flexible upskilling courses are tailored to industry needs, facilitating the onboarding process. By completing micro-credentials, participants can achieve standalone qualifications or accumulate credits towards broader qualifications, including certificates and degrees.
Registration is now open for three micro-credential programmes through Skillnet Offshore Wind Academy. The Offshore Wind Energy programme, delivered in collaboration with University College Cork (UCC), the Coastal and Marine Governance programme, also delivered in collaboration with UCC, and the Environment Impact Assessment of Marine Renewable Energy Developments programme, delivered in partnership with University of Galway.
Essential for professionals wanting to excel in the renewable energy sector, the programmes will cover critical topics such as design, construction, energy storage, wave loading impacts, and environmental considerations, ensuring a well-rounded understanding of the industry.
Jordan says: “As Ireland accelerates its transition to renewable energy, offshore wind power will be crucial to meeting climate targets and securing a supply of sustainable, indigenous energy. Skillnet Offshore Wind Academy will play a pivotal role in equipping Ireland’s workforce with the skills and expertise to achieve our climate goals and become a global leader in offshore energy. To accelerate the growth of renewable energy and create a more sustainable economy, we need thousands of skilled workers in the years ahead. By providing opportunities for professionals from various industries to upskill and transition into the offshore wind sector, Skillnet Offshore Wind Academy will build a strong talent pipeline for the future.”
Skillnet Ireland will continue to play a crucial role in delivering targeted upskilling opportunities as Ireland advances its climate and housing objectives. By working closely with businesses, industry bodies, and key stakeholders, Skillnet Ireland is fostering a skilled and adaptable workforce equipped to meet future challenges.
W: www.skillnetireland.ie
