Shannon Chamber welcomes increase in funding allocated to Skillnet Ireland in Budget 2025

As the promoter of a Skillnet business network, Shannon Chamber welcomes the announcement in Budget 2025 that €62.97m funding will be allocated to Skillnet Ireland by the Department of Further & Higher Education, Innovation, Research & Science. This is an uplift of €11M versus 2024 and brings Skillnet Ireland Government funding to a record level in its 25th anniversary year. 

The new funding approved by Government will see Skillnet Ireland introduce a SME Upskilling Incentive Scheme, which aims to promote lifelong learning in the indigenous SME sector in line with recommendations made by the OECD in their Ireland Skills Report. 

Energy security, through the greater adoption of offshore wind energy, is a stated Government ambition underpinned by the cross-Government Offshore Wind Energy project. Additional funding will allow Skillnet Ireland to further develop its offshore wind upskilling programs via targeted skills training for mid-career professionals looking to move into offshore wind from other sectors.

Additional funding has been secured to accelerate the development of a national platform which will showcase Modern Methods of Construction projects, providing career pathways, together with new education and upskilling provision for the construction sector.

Additional funding has also been secured to develop new talent programmes across the regional innovation hubs.

Welcoming this increase in funding, Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes said: “Having operated a Skillnet business network since 2016, we have witnessed first hand the benefits that skills’ development delivers to our member companies. To date this year, 390 employees from 89 member companies have availed of subsidised training via Shannon Chamber Skillnet. We forecast this to reach 500 employees in over 100 member companies by year end with total training days delivered in the order of 2,800.

“When you factor in the 704 employees from the 144 member companies who availed of 2,493 training days in 2023, the value Skillnet subsidised training is delivering to member companies is comprehensive,” added Ms Downes.