Inaugural Skills Summit looks to boost workforce development in Fingal

Fingal has hosted its first Skills Forum to help provide businesses with valuable insights into education and financial supports and offered opportunities to network with local businesses and schools

shared practical insights on overcoming recruitment and training challenges through collaboration with education and training providers

As part of its commitment to building a skilled and competitive workforce, Fingal County Council has hosted its inaugural Skills Summit to strengthen links between education and industry and drive workforce development across the county. 

The event provided employers with practical insights into the supports available to attract new talent and enhance existing teams through upskilling and reskilling to meet the demands of a rapidly changing economy.

The Skills Forward: Unlocking Skills for Tomorrow’s Workforce summit, delivered in collaboration with key partners including SOLAS, Dublin Regional Skills Forum, the Department of Social Protection, Skillnet Ireland, Dublin & Dun Laoghaire ETB, City of Dublin ETB, DCU, and Fingal Local Enterprise Office, provided businesses with valuable insights into education and financial supports and offered opportunities to network with local businesses and schools. 

Summit attendees heard from leading voices in skills and workforce development, including Nora Condon (SOLAS) on current skills demand in Ireland; Kyle Butler (Intreo) on employer supports; and Dr. Eilish McLoughlin (DCU) on the STEM Teacher Internship Programme. 

The Skills Forum allowed businesses, industry, and education/training partners to deliver the "Future Fingal: Skills Strategy", building a future-ready workforce to come together to help boost workforce development in Fingal

The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tom O’Leary, said: "This Skills Summit marks an important milestone for Fingal. Our county is rich with talent, ambition and innovation, and this summit has shown what is possible when educators, employers, community leaders and government work together with a shared purpose.

“The insights and commitments made today will help ensure that people of all ages in Fingal have the skills they need to thrive in a fast-changing world. We are building a stronger, more inclusive and more resilient future—one where opportunity is not just available, but accessible to everyone.

“I want to thank all participants for their energy, ideas and collaboration. Together, we are shaping a skills ecosystem that will support our businesses, empower our communities, and keep Fingal at the forefront of sustainable growth and innovation.”

Participants also explored emerging industry challenges, opportunities for upskilling and reskilling, and the importance of engaging with the Fingal Skills Strategy to remain competitive. A panel discussion featured Terry Allen (Hawthorn Logistics Solutions), Frank Kilbride (Aramex Ireland), Natasha Kinsella (Dublin Regional Skills Forum), and Rolando Cedeño (Esmark Finch), who shared practical insights on overcoming recruitment and training challenges through collaboration with education and training providers.

Hosting a Skills Forum is one way Fingal County Council is working closely with businesses, industry, and education/training partners to deliver the "Future Fingal: Skills Strategy", building a future-ready workforce and a strong talent pipeline for the county

Local schools were also represented, creating space for dialogue on work placements, career talks, and pathways to further education. Fingal County Council is working closely with businesses, industry, and education/training partners to deliver the "Future Fingal: Skills Strategy", building a future-ready workforce and a strong talent pipeline for the county.

For more information on the Fingal Skills Strategy 2024-2029 please visit the links below. 

Anyone who would like to get involved in the Skills Strategy sub-groups, please contact:  [email protected] .