Skillnet Ireland is the national talent development agency of Ireland offering upskilling and reskilling training programmes to companies of all sizes.
Business supports, delivered through 70 Skillnet Business Networks, and national initiatives are designed to enhance productivity and increase competitiveness for Irish companies and the Irish economy.
Recent research from Skillnet Ireland shows that 59% of businesses expect their core skills needs to shift in the next two to three years; 42% are struggling to find the right talent — especially in digital, technical, and engineering roles and 76% have invested in upskilling, yet time and cost remain major barriers. Supporting 26,600 companies from almost every sector with almost 100,000 individuals upskilled, Skillnet Ireland is acutely aware of the key challenges facing businesses within the context of their future skills needs.
Since 1999 Skillnet Ireland has been led by business, for business to adapt to the transitions of digitalisation and sustainability in a rapidly changing and complex global business environment.
Our Keynote Speaker, Skillnet Ireland ‘s CEO, Mark Jordan, will outline the importance of upskilling and reskilling the national workforce for the future in an increasingly competitive economic environment.
A panel of speakers from a range of sectors will also showcase how their businesses have benefited directly from implementing comprehensive training programmes and why their focus on upskilling will continue.
Registration & Networking: from 12:30
This lunch event, marking the 10th anniversary of Shannon Chamber Skillnet.
It is an invite only event, but please feel free to send us an enquiry if you are interested to attend:
Alan at akelly@shannonchamber.ie
or call on 061 475 854
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Mark Jordan
CEO – Skillnet Ireland
Mark Jordan took up the role of Chief Executive Office at Skillnet Ireland in March 2025. Prior to this, he served as the organisation’s Chief Strategy Officer as part of its Executive Leadership team. Established 25 years ago, Skillnet Ireland is the national talent development agency of the Government of Ireland, responsible for advancing the competitiveness, productivity, and innovation of Irish businesses through enterprise-led talent development. Skillnet Ireland partners with 57 industry bodies, supporting over 26,600 businesses and more than 97,700 trainees annually. Skillnet Ireland was rated as the top talent development agency in an analysis of 47 countries conducted by the EU Commission. With extensive international experience, Mark has worked in the UK, US, Switzerland, and Ireland, holding leadership positions that have honed his expertise in business strategy, commercial partnerships, technology deployment, operational management, systems transformation, and regulatory compliance. At Skillnet Ireland, Mark has led the skills investment and partnership strategy, collaborating with the European Commission, higher education institutions, government departments, business representative groups, enterprise agencies, and both international and indigenous companies across various sectors. His focus has been on supporting the competitiveness of Irish businesses and preparing companies for the future world of work. Mark believes investing in talent during periods of change is crucial for success, emphasising organisations that embrace inclusivity in their transformation activities tend to be the most successful. He has championed the importance of talent development in driving business innovation, advocating for organisations to focus on the people component when undertaking transformation initiatives.
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Anthony Brennan
Chief People Officer (CPO) – Atlantic Aviation Group (AAG)
London-born and Clare-native, Anthony Brennan joined Atlantic Aviation Group (AAG) in June 2021, following a decade as HR Director at CityJet. Anthony’s HR career began in the five-star hospitality sector, and he has since held senior HR roles with organisations such as Thorn EMI Group, Merchants Group, Quinn Group, and the Irish charity Concern Worldwide. He holds a Master’s in Business Administration and brings extensive experience in strategic HR management and organisational development. As CPO at AAG, Anthony leads the execution of the company’s people strategy to support its ongoing growth. He is responsible for building a high-performing organisation by aligning people, culture, and business goals with AAG’s core values. Together with his team, he focuses on key initiatives including talent acquisition, learning and development, performance management, reward and recognition, and cultural transformation. Celebrating 10 years in business this April, Atlantic Aviation Group now employs approximately 670 staff across two hangars in County Clare and 110 staff at AAG Defence Services in Oxfordshire. As the organisation expands, it remains dedicated to investing in the skills and careers of its people.
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Maria Frost
Senior Vice President Human Resources, ELFC
A business degree graduate from the University of Limerick. Maria also holds a MSc in Human Resource Management and a Specialist Diploma in Aviation Leasing & Finance. Maria is an experienced HR professional with broad experience within the Aviation Leasing and Semi – Conductor industry. She currently manages the global HR function in ELF, with offices located in Shannon, London, Boston and Hong Kong. Maria is a member of the CIPD, the Shannon Chamber Skillnet Steering Committee and the ICBE Aviation Skillnet Steering Committee.
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Stephen Linnane
General Manager, Element Six
Stephen Linnane is the General Manager of Element Six, DeBeers Group Operations in Ireland, a technology-led manufacturing business creating super hard materials for a global customer base. Element Six is a world leader in the design, development, and production of synthetic diamond and other super hard materials. These materials are used in a wide range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, oil and gas, and electronics, to enhance performance and durability. With extensive experience in operations management, Stephen specializes in improving efficiency and fostering collaborative environments through Lean and continuous improvement techniques. He has extensive international operations and commercial experience within Europe and the US. He focuses on developing high-performing teams and promoting a culture of open communication and mutual respect. Stephen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and an MBA, which have equipped him with a strong foundation in both technical and business management
