Minister Harkin attends Skillnet Ireland Talent Landscape Roadshow at FMCI

November 26, 2025

Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Marian Harkin TD, and Billy Kelleher, MEP for Ireland South, attended a Skillnet Ireland regional roadshow enterprise event at the Future Mobility Campus, Shannon, Co Clare, on Friday, November 21st, 2025. Also in attendance was Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, Timmy Dooley TD.

A recent research report from Skillnet Ireland entitled Ireland’s Talent Landscape 2025: Future Skills Challenges of Irish Business, authored by Ipsos B&A, shows a strong demand for upskilling among businesses in counties Clare, Limerick and Tipperary, with a particular focus on digitalisation and the green economy. The report was launched at an enterprise event, attended by a broad range of businesses from across the Mid-West region.

Speaking at the event, Minister Harkin said: “I am delighted to be here today to underline the significant role that skills development plays in strengthening our regions. This report clearly highlights how businesses in the Mid-West are taking steps to equip their workforce with the skills they need to navigate a more sustainable and digital future. I want to acknowledge the foresight of businesses in this region that are engaging proactively with this skills agenda. Their commitment to empowering their people through upskilling will ensure that these regions remain resilient, competitive, and ready to embrace future opportunities.”

MEP Billy Kelleher said: “The future competitiveness of Ireland’s regions will depend on how effectively we empower SMEs with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing economy. Skillnet Ireland’s work in delivering industry-led talent supports is a critical component of Ireland retaining its competitive advantage. By equipping local enterprises with the tools and expertise they need, we strengthen not just individual businesses, but the entire region’s capacity to innovate and grow sustainably.”

The findings revealed that over one-third (34%) of businesses in Ireland’s Mid-West will require digital upskilling for their workforce in the next two to three years. The report will inform Skillnet Ireland’s strategic commitment to the regional development of businesses facing an increasingly digital future, and a low-carbon and sustainable economy, as well as aiming to bolster foreign direct investment through a focus on talent development.

Mark Jordan, Skillnet Ireland Chief Executive, added: “The findings of this report highlight a strong commitment among businesses in the Mid-West to embrace innovation and prepare for the future through strategic upskilling. Whether it’s responding to the demands of climate action, digital transformation, or emerging technologies, our Skillnet Business Networks and National Initiatives are dedicated to providing industry-led supports that reflect real business needs. By fostering this culture of continuous learning, and by collaborating closely with local enterprises, we are helping to future-proof the regional economy and drive long-term growth and competitiveness.”

82% of businesses surveyed in the Mid-West regard their business as strong or very strong, while 67% expect a change in their core skills in the next two to three years. Almost half of businesses in the region said they will need sustainability upskilling for their workforce in the coming years. Energy efficiency, policy and regulation, and innovation and creativity top the list of climate action skills needed by local enterprises, while digital skills such as Microsoft Office proficiency, Internet of Things (IoT), and cloud computing are in particularly high demand.

For business leaders, skills development plays an important role in delivering key projects related to climate action, digitalisation, innovation and modern methods of construction.

During his welcome note, Co-Founder and COO of Future Mobility Campus Ireland, Dr. Wassim Derguech, also took the opportunity to highlight one of Ireland’s key skills-development initiatives in the area of Innovative Air Mobility. He introduced the AIRMOB project and outlined the ambition to establish a national Centre of Vocational Excellence in this emerging sector. This initiative will play an important role in developing the specialised skills needed to support Ireland’s leadership in next-generation air mobility.

Dr. Derguech added: “It was a pleasure to welcome Minister Harkin, Minister Dooley, MEP Billy Kelleher, Skillnet Ireland CEO Mark Jordan, and all our guests to Future Mobility Campus Ireland. We were delighted to showcase the infrastructure and capabilities we’ve built here in Shannon to support the region’s innovation ecosystem. The Minister’s recognition that ‘the future is being developed in Shannon’ is deeply appreciated and reflects the commitment of the many partners who work with us every day. We are equally grateful for Skillnet Ireland’s continued leadership in advancing talent development across the Mid-West. Their support is vital in ensuring that businesses and communities in our region are equipped to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital and green economy.”

About AIRMOB

AIRMOB (Developing Skills and Capabilities for Innovative Air Mobility) focuses on the provision of excellent vocational education and training (VET) aligned with the IAM sector’s need. The AIRMOB pathway to excellent VET includes the design of joint curricula and training courses, professional development of teachers and trainers, internships, mobilities and other multi-level collaborations

Learn more about the project here.

Acknowledgement

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. [Grant Agreement number: 101194074]

Share the Post:

Celebrating the Completion of the ÉALÚ-AER Project

What was ÉALÚ-AER? December 2025 marked the successful completion of the ÉALÚ-AER project, a major European initiative dedicated to advancing

FMCI Joins Time Capsule at Shannon Airport

Future Mobility Campus Ireland (FMCI) is proud to announce our participation in the commemorative time capsule at Shannon Airport. This

Join our mailing list

Want to receive updates about what’s going on at FMCI? Fill out this form to subscribe to our newsletter and get notified about our news, future mobility insights, and upcoming events.