Launch of National Skills Council’s Inaugural Publication, Providing First Strategic Advice to Government on Skills Priorities
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From: Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
- Published on: 3 July 2025
- Last updated on: 3 July 2025
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless TD attended the launch of Skills Matter: Priorities to Shape Our Future Capabilities, the National Skills Council’s inaugural publication. This publication includes the Council’s first strategic advice to Government on skills priorities.
The publication is the culmination of the Council’s work to date on the future of skills and workforce development in Ireland since establishment in June 2024.
In its’ advice, the Council recommends the establishment of a new National Skills Observatory to improve the coherence and availability of skills data across the skills system; targeted leveraging of the National Training Fund; and supporting the mainstreaming of flexible learning opportunities.
The Government was also updated with details of a research project commissioned by the Council to, using a systems thinking perspective, map the Irish skills landscape, which should conclude by the end of the year.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Lawless said:
“I am delighted to receive the National Skills Council’s first strategic advice to Government on skills priorities.
“In an era of rapid transformation and global uncertainty, it is collaboration and mutual effort that makes the difference. The Council understands firsthand the macro impacts shaping the future of Irish society and our workforce and their insight and perspective are integral to how we must develop our strengths for the future.
"Together, we are shaping a more agile, inclusive, and resilient approach to skills. An environment that supports lifelong learning, enables career transitions, and builds the human capital Ireland needs to succeed”.
Kevin Marshall, Chairman of the National Skills Council, said:
“Skills are the foundation of economic growth and competitiveness, business success, and individual opportunity. Without the right skills, neither businesses nor the economy can thrive in an increasingly complex and fast-changing world.
“The National Skills Council has been entrusted with the vital role of bridging the gap between the evolving demands of work, societal, and labour market needs, and the responses to those demands, and is proud to share our first strategic insights and our advice to Government on these issues.”
Link to the report is here.
NOTES
The National Skills Council is an advisory, non-statutory body made up of high-level representatives from Irish industry, social partners and main non-governmental stakeholders. Reformed last year, in line with the recommendations of the 2023 OECD Ireland Skills Strategy Review, the Council is now the primary national partnership platform for skills. Taking a demand-led approach, the Council is mandated to provide the Government with independent strategic advice, to effectively shape policy responses aligned with labour market needs. The Council will deliver its recommendations annually going forward.
For further information on the National Skills Council, visit: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-further-and-higher-education-research-innovation-and-science/organisation-information/national-skills-council/