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Graduates of Shannon Chamber Skillnet’s Diploma in High-Performance Leadership (at back) pictured at their conferring ceremony with representatives from TU Dublin, Shannon Chamber, Career Decisions and Skillnet Ireland. Photo by Eamon Ward.

Twelve companies across the Mid-West region are set to benefit from the graduation of twenty-two employees from the High-Performance Leadership Programme delivered by Shannon Chamber Skillnet.

The participating companies –  Aerogen, Oshima, Careline, Ei Electronics, Tierney’s Office Automation, Northern Trust, CCSL, Antaris Consulting, PMI (Property Management Ireland), Evcone, Smithstown Light Engineering, and Owl Mediation –  will now reap the rewards of their employees’ enhanced leadership capability, practical skills, and refreshed perspectives, enabling them to lead more effectively, coach teams, and drive positive organisational outcomes.

The graduates formed the 2024 and 2025 cohorts of the Level 8 Diploma in High Performance Leadership, accredited by TU Dublin and delivered by Career Decisions Ireland. The programme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the European Social Fund ESF+ and facilitated by Shannon Chamber Skillnet.

Graduates were formally conferred at a ceremony held at Dromoland Castle Hotel, officiated by Dr Colin Hughes, Head of the Graduate Business School at TU Dublin, and Dr Ashley O’Donoghue, Head of Postgraduate Business. They were joined by Helen Downes, CEO of Shannon Chamber; John Kelleher, managing director of Career Decisions Ireland; and Michelle Guthrie, development advisor with Skillnet Ireland.

Addressing graduates, Dr Hughes commended Shannon Chamber and Skillnet Ireland for their vision in investing in a programme with such strong potential to support talent development.

“The provision of professional education is central to the mission of TU Dublin, and we take great pride in our work with adult learners. Lifelong learning is widely recognised as being vital for organisational and economic competitiveness,” he said.

Presenting the diplomas, he added: “Your commitment and dedication to personal development and knowledge acquisition now receives its acknowledgement and reward.”

Helen Downes, CEO of Shannon Chamber, also praised the commitment shown by the graduates: “By investing in your own leadership development, you are enhancing not only your personal and professional growth, but also strengthening the talent pool on which local businesses rely,” she said.

She noted that graduates join a growing community of business leaders in the Shannon region who have completed the programme, which has been delivered for many years in collaboration with Career Decisions Ireland.

“I am delighted to confirm that this collaboration will continue, with a new programme already enrolling for 2026. Shannon Chamber, through our Skillnet business network, remains committed to supporting education, training and upskilling opportunities, because investing in people is investing in the future of our region.”

This sentiment was echoed by Michelle Guthrie, development advisor at Skillnet Ireland, who highlighted the programme as an example of how Skillnet Ireland, as the Government’s talent development agency, supports enterprise competitiveness and economic resilience.

Thanking the participating companies, she said: “The Skillnet Ireland model works because of your investment in enhancing the leadership capabilities of your managers and leaders.”

Catherine Shannon, HR manager at Tierney’s Office Automation in Ennis, Co. Clare, expressed pride in seeing four company employees graduate from the programme.

“Our employees benefited greatly from the balance of practical and theoretical learning. The interpersonal connections formed with participants from different sectors were invaluable,” she said.

She added that the company’s leadership development was essential to supporting its growth, with employee numbers increasing from 54 in 2022 to a projected 81 by January 2026.

Newly graduated Aoileann Cunningham, help desk manager at Tierney’s Office Automation, said she enrolled in the programme to enhance her leadership of a 24-person team.

“The course has significantly improved how I lead and manage through different challenges. The coaching element was particularly valuable, and I apply what I learned every day,” she said.

Citing coaching skills, performance management, and aligning motivation with capability as key learnings, she described the programme as a worthwhile investment.

“Being in a class with people from different sectors facing similar challenges gave me great insights. I would highly recommend the programme to anyone seeking to improve their leadership skills.”

The CPD Diploma in High-Performance Leadership delivered by Shannon Chamber Skillnet is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union. Shannon Chamber Skillnet is co-funded by Skillnet Ireland and participating network companies. Skillnet Ireland is funded through the National Training Fund and the European Union via the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.