European, national and regional stakeholders came together in Cork to discuss the critical role of skills development, artificial intelligence (AI) upskilling, innovation, partnerships and enterprise competitiveness in Ireland and across Europe.
European Commission Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, Roxana Mînzatu, joined with Skillnet Ireland and the Tech Industry Alliance Skillnet at the Rubicon Centre, Munster Technological University (MTU), on Friday, July 3.
The executive vice-president also had the opportunity to take a tour of the Rubicon Centre and to hear the latest on the ENTIRE European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) project, which is based at Munster Technological University. The EDIH is comprised of an ambitious community of tech experts that work together to help and assist Europe’s businesses and organisations on their path towards digitalisation.
WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP
Skillnet Ireland is the national workforce development agency, responsible for advancing the competitiveness, productivity and innovation of businesses through enterprise-led workforce development. In partnership with 57 industry bodies, Skillnet Ireland delivers upskilling and reskilling programmes in collaboration with education institutions and training providers, to companies of all sizes, across all regions of Ireland.
The industry gathering recognised the significant contribution of Skillnet Ireland in connecting Irish enterprises with European skills initiatives.
Speaking at the event, Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu, said that companies of all sizes ‘need access to the right skills to use these technologies effectively and responsibly’.
“Supporting AI can definitely help transform Europe’s economy. But its success will depend on whether it strengthens the biggest resource we have: people.”
SKILLNET IRELAND
Skillnet Ireland actively supports the implementation of EU skills policy through a range of European programmes and partnerships, including the EU Pact for Skills, the Digital Europe Programme and Erasmus+ projects focused on advanced digital and green skills development.
Mr Mark Jordan, Chief Executive, Skillnet Ireland delivered a presentation outlining Skillnet Ireland’s role in supporting enterprise competitiveness and delivering on EU skills priorities. Annette Coburn, Network Manager of Tech Industry Alliance Skillnet, provided insights into the network’s work with Ireland’s technology sector.
A roundtable discussion explored enabling regional competitiveness through enterprise-led AI upskilling, building capacity through partnerships and innovation, and how the Skillnet Ireland ecosystem supports start-ups, SMEs and large companies.
