National Skills Council issues clear advice to Government including:
 

1. Establish a National Skills Observatory to better inform Government policy
2. Improved enterprise engagement to help target the National Training Fund for the benefit of industry.
3. Move ‘Micro credentials’ into the mainstream of Higher Education practice.

 
The full Strategic Advice paper, which makes interesting reading, is available here

Skillnet’s cost-sharing model with industry remains central to the Skillnet Ireland model. €28 million in industry co-financing Skillnet courses demonstrates ongoing commitment to workforce development by Ireland’s employers.  Skillnet Ireland also launched a series of innovation-themed workforce development initiatives in 2024 including the launches of the Skillnet MMC Accelerate and Skillnet Offshore Wind Academy. Full report here 

Regional Skills came across this Podcast from former SETU student, Cathal Quinlan, now based in Australia; If you’re looking for brain-friendly, practical tools to help your team thrive, have a look at Better@Work, developed by Cathal Quinlan (a past student of SETU). Further details here

SETU has been approved for 24 part time courses heavily subsidised via Springboard funding. The courses are in areas such as engineering, science, cyber security, artificial intelligence, business and the built environment, aligning with Ireland’s strategic priorities. SETU also has a number of other part-time courses, some of which are co-funded by Skillnet. However, places are limited and many have a registration deadline of 31st July 2025. 

Further details available here