About Skillnets
Skillnets is an enterprise-led support body dedicated to the promotion and facilitation of learning as a key element in sustaining Ireland's national competitiveness.
Skillnets supports networks of enterprises to engage in training under the Learning Networks Programme. These Learning Networks, now referred to as 'Skillnets', are led and managed by the enterprises themselves and have created and delivered training programmes across a broad range of industry and service sectors nationwide.
Since 1999, Skillnets has facilitated over 10,000 Irish enterprises, in over 150 networks to improve the range, scope and quality of training and allowed over 50,000 employees to improve and meet their skills needs.
Skillnets stakeholders include the Irish Business and Employers Confederation, Chambers Ireland, the Construction Industry Federation, the Small Firms Association and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions as well as the thousands of enterprises and trainees we work with on a day-to-day basis.
Skillnets' strategy is to support companies from all sectors in the economy to engage in training, but does so exclusively through networks of companies. This approach allows companies to achieve economies of scale, increase efficiency, lower costs and provide training that is more relevant to individual sectors or types of companies. There is of course also a significant benefit to be achieved through the sharing of business experience and advice via networking opportunities afforded by Skillnet involvement.
All training and development activities are supported and enterprises are given the ownership of all training strategies and plans to ensure they meet enterprise needs.
Skillnets is funded by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment from the resources of the National Training Fund.