Dublin Regional Skills Forum

The Dublin Regional Skills Forum supports businesses in its region to assess and develop skills for their employees. The Regional Skills Forum also brings people together at local and regional level, to identify, investigate and validate skills needs.

This forum is 1 of 9 based around the country.

The Dublin Regional Skills Forum serves the county and city of Dublin.

The work of the Dublin Regional Skills Forum is supported by key industry, economic and education partners from across the region, who all work together, through the forum in identifying and implementing pro-active responses to address current and future skills needs.

Dublin Regional Skills Forum members

Forum Industry Chair

Christine McGrath Leadership Development & Talent Management at Sysco

Forum Industry Vice-Chair

TBC

Forum Manager

Natasha Kinsella

Education and training providers

• Dublin City University
• Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology
• National College of Art and Design
• National College of Ireland
• Technological University Dublin
• Trinity College Dublin
• University College Dublin
• City of Dublin FET College
• Dublin College FET
• Skillnet Ireland

Statutory agencies and organisations

• Department of Social Protection
• Enterprise Ireland
• IDA Ireland
• Local county councils (1 nominated representative for all 4)
• Local Enterprise Offices (1 nominated representative for all 4)
• National Disability Authority

Industry associations

• Dublin Chamber of Commerce
• Ibec
• ISME
• Small Firms Association
• Greater Dublin Chamber Alliance

Sector subgroups

There are sector subgroup links within:

• hospitality and tourism
• logistics and transport
• construction
• retail
• pharma
• other sectors

These subgroups provide extra industry insights on specific sectors within the Dublin region.

AI and Your Business: Dublin SMEs Explore Practical Pathways to AI Adoption and Skills Support - March 5 2026

Business and education leaders gathered at Wood Quay as part of Local Enterprise Week 2026 to support SME AI readiness and competitiveness.

Business, enterprise, and education stakeholders came together today at Wood Quay Venue, Dublin, for AI and Your Business, a half-day workshop organised by the Dublin Regional Skills Forum (DRSF) as part of Local Enterprise Week 2026, in collaboration with Enterprise Ireland, Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet, and SOLAS.

The free workshop brought together start-ups and SMEs from across the Dublin region to explore how artificial intelligence adoption can drive innovation, productivity, and competitiveness, while also highlighting the practical skills, funding and supports available to help businesses begin or progress their AI journey.

The event was chaired by Natasha Kinsella, Regional Skills Manager, Dublin Regional Skills Forum (DRSF), who outlined the growing importance of AI capability for SMEs and the role of the regional skills ecosystem in supporting businesses to navigate change with confidence.

Events like AI and Your Business are about making AI adoption practical, accessible, and relevant for SMEs, while connecting them directly to the skills, funding and supports that exist across the Dublin region.

Addressing attendees, Warren Cray, Head of Enterprise, Dublin City, highlighted the pace of technological change facing businesses and the importance of accessible, demand-led supports to help SMEs adopt AI solutions that are relevant, ethical, and commercially impactful. Events like AI and Your Business with DRSF are invaluable in helping SMEs learn from real examples and understand how to take their first steps with confidence.

A key feature of the workshop was a series of fireside showcases with SME leaders, real-world AI applications in business. These included insights from Stacks Pharmacy and The Travel Department, demonstrating how AI is already being used to improve customer experience, operational efficiency, and decision-making within Irish SMEs.

Speaking from an SME perspective, James Coughlan, CEO, The Travel Department, said:

While Damien Keane, Supervising Pharmacist from Stack’s Pharmacy said

The workshop also included a panel discussion focused on available skills and funding supports for AI adoption, with contributions from Alexa Toomey, Head of Scaling and AI Strategies, Enterprise Ireland, Susan Kelly, Director, Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet and Noreen Fitzpatrick, Director (Acting) I Branding, Communications & Strategy SOLAS, outlining how SMEs can access tailored training, upskilling pathways, and State-supported initiatives to build AI capability within their workforce.

The session reinforced that while SMEs may face challenges in adopting AI – including skills gaps, time pressures, and uncertainty around where to start – clear pathways and supports already exist. By connecting enterprise, education, and training partners in one place, the workshop aimed to simplify access to the AI skills ecosystem and encourage greater SME engagement in lifelong learning.

The event concluded with a networking lunch, providing opportunities for SMEs to connect directly with speakers, partners, and peers, and to access one-to-one signposting support to begin their AI skills journey.

AI and Your Business forms part of the Dublin Regional Skills Forum’s ongoing commitment to supporting SME capability development in areas critical to productivity, competitiveness, and sustainable growth.

About the Event Organisers and Partners

Dublin Regional Skills Forum (DRSF)

The Dublin Regional Skills Forum is a collaborative initiative of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS), bringing together education, training, and enterprise stakeholders to address the current and future skills needs of businesses and employees in the Dublin region. Through partnership and employer engagement, the Forum supports workforce development and regional competitiveness. www.gov.ie/regionalskills

Local Enterprise Offices

The Local Enterprise Offices are your local first stop shop for seeking information and support on starting or growing a business in Ireland. Whether you are a new entrepreneur or an existing small business owner. The Local Enterprise Office provides advice, information, and support to you in starting up or growing your business. With thirty-one dedicated teams across the Local Authority network in Ireland, Local Enterprise Offices offer you a wide range of experience, skills, and services. https://www.localenterprise.ie/

Enterprise Ireland

An Irish government’s enterprise development agency. We invest in and support the development of Irish-owned companies on their journey to achieving greater scale and to become global leaders in their field. This provides a platform for strong economic growth and creating and sustaining jobs in communities around the country. https://www.enterprise-ireland.com

Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet

Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet is a government-backed business-support network, connecting teams and individuals from small and large companies to highly subsidised and cutting-edge training in the latest technologies driving business development. Our courses are uniquely co-developed with industry and academia, and span a range of areas including Artificial Intelligence, Software Development, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Cloud, Digital Transformation, and more. These are all delivered in a format that suits the learner best, from online and part-time Masters to on-demand self-paced industry certified microcreds, and bespoke in-company training. https://ictskillnet.ie/

SOLAS

The State agency that oversees the building of a world class Further Education & Training (FET) sector in Ireland, developing skills to fuel Ireland’s future. FET is for everyone, is available in every community and offers a pathway to take you as far as you want to go. https://www.solas.ie/

AI & Your Business - New Ways of thinking "Innovation & Competitiveness" - November 4 2025

Event led by Dublin RSF with Regional Skills Mideast/Northeast in collaboration Dublin Local Enterprise offices, Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet and hosted in Enterprise Ireland.

A sold-out event for SME/Startup Business, gathered in Enterprise Ireland East Point November 4th, led by Dublin RSF in partnership - RSF Mideast/ Northeast, Dublin LEO’s and Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet to bring together businesses to an engaging, hands-on workshop designed to show how artificial intelligence can unlock smarter, faster decisions in supporting skills needs.

The workshop aimed to empower businesses with the knowledge and skills of how to utilise AI tools to offer new ways of thinking in supporting business innovate and remain competitive in an ever-evolving digitalised competitive environment.

Some of the challenges of digital transformation facing SMEs is ensuring the right skills are in place now and into the future for their workforce. Access to the relevant funded supports and the right educational training connections were also a priority highlighting the breath within the skills ecosystem. Embedding a culture of lifelong learning in an AI era remains a priority for National Skills Council guiding the work for Regional Skills and Education/Training providers while ensuring awareness of all our state agency supports and funded provisions for Business.

Keynote address by Kevin Marshall Microsoft Ireland and Chair National Skills Council noted:

Natasha Kinsella DRSF Manager on behalf of Regional Skills, noted:

Commenting after the workshop facilitated by Mark Kelly AI Ireland Founder said that:

Speakers included:

• Natasha Kinsella MC, Regional Skills an initiative of Department of Further and Higher Education -highlighting national partnership of supports for Business offered within the Skills ecosystem.
• Keynote Address - Kevin Marshall, Head of Future Skilling at Microsoft & Chair of the National Skills Council – on Ireland’s national skills priorities.
• Mark Kelly, Founder AI Ireland – delivering a practical, step-by-step workshop to utilising AI tools in business for digital transformation.
• Susan Kelly, Operations, Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet – sharing upskilling and training supports to help you take the next step.

About Event Organisers Dublin Regional Skills Forum

The Dublin Regional Skills Forum (DRSF) / Mideast & Northeast part of nine regions a collaborative initiative of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS), bringing together key stakeholders from education, training, and industry sectors within each region. Their primary goal is to facilitate effective communication and cooperation to address the skills needs of businesses and employees. By forging partnerships and offering valuable insights, the Regional Skills Forum plays a pivotal role in enhancing regional workforce development and supporting prosperity. www.gov.ie/regionalskills Local Enterprise Offices The Local Enterprise Offices are your local first-stop shop for seeking information and support on starting or growing a business in Ireland. Whether you are a new entrepreneur or an existing small business owner. The Local Enterprise Office provides advice, information, and support to you in starting up or growing your business. With thirty-one dedicated teams across the Local Authority network in Ireland, Local Enterprise Offices offer you a wide range of experience, skills, and services. https://www.localenterprise.ie/

Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet

Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet is a government-backed business-support network, connecting teams and individuals from small and large companies to highly subsidised and cutting-edge training in the latest technologies driving business development. Our courses are uniquely co-developed with industry and academia, and span a range of areas including Artificial Intelligence, Software Development, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Cloud, Digital Transformation, and more. These are all delivered in a format that suits the learner best, from online and part-time Masters, to on-demand self-paced industry certified microcreds, and bespoke in-company training. https://ictskillnet.ie

Role of Forum supporting Business

Dublin Regional Skills Forum Chair: Focusing awareness for businesses in upskilling

Unlock upskilling opportunities to transform your business

MicroCreds supporting short flexible learning opportunities

MicroQuals supporting short flexible learning opportunities

Dublin City Leo: the importance of collaboration with Dublin Regional Skills Forum supporting Business

Business site visit Esmarkfinch with DRSF / EI/ FINGAL

Business site visit Esmarkfinch & DRSF

ENFUSE Programme with Dublin City Council

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