Workforce Ireland 2019- Mt Juliet 22nd May

South East Skillnet Networks Seminar focuses on Workforce Change
County Tipperary Skillnet, Waterford Chamber Skillnet, Carlow Kilkenny Skillnet and Wexford Chamber Skillnet recently hosted their third Annual Training and Development Seminar ‘Workforce Ireland’ 2019, which focused on attracting talent to the region. As one of the five key pillars in the Government’s Future Jobs Ireland 2019 report, enhancing skills and developing and attracting talent is recognised as a significant contributor to securing Ireland’s economic success.
Employers from across the region attended the event, which took place in Mount Juliet Estate, Kilkenny. The seminar was facilitated expertly by Michael Cox of MCX Training and Development.
Opening the event, Skillnet Ireland Chief Executive, Paul Healy said: 
“The world of work is transforming, and the accelerated pace of technological development is redefining the future of economies globally. This new landscape presents many challenges and opportunities with companies in Ireland already feeling the impact. And while the wide evidence base is telling us that the net outlook for future jobs is positive, we must act now. Upskilling and life-long learning are central to this and will help companies remain relevant in an ever-increasingly complex digital world. The work of our 65+ Networks across the country, and here in the South East, is a vital component in making Ireland a centre of talent and innovative.”
Other topics throughout the half day seminar included Attracting Talent with David Cooney of Morgan McKinley; Behaviour & Performance with Joe O’Connor of CoachPact; Staff Retention, Brian Cleary of Acorn Regulatory; Recruitment with Dr Karen O’Connor, Datapac; Learning & Development with Ann Marie O’Leary, Zurich; Spending your Training Budget with Ria White, Eirgen and Creating a Great Workplace with Lisa Murphy, Scurri. 

Speaking about the event, Waterford Chamber Skillnet Network Manager, Sara Mullally said: “Along with our Skillnet Network colleagues, we were delighted to be able to host such an important event for industry leaders. The knowledge and information presented on the day was insightful and thought provoking and had given us a lot of ideas to implement. 

We heard how over 60% of pupils today will end up working in jobs that do not exist yet and how 72% of millennials will leave their employer within the first five years. When thinking about the workforce in 2019 and beyond, businesses must be cognisant of the fact that this generation is tech savvy, socially conscious, flexible and dialogue orientated. Things have changed, and we must change with them. Skillnet Networks can provide that platform through our subsidised training and are on hand to cater to industry led skills needs.” 

Find your local Skillnet Learning Network in the South East region:  www.skillnetireland.ie/region/south-east/

1. Welcome to the Workforce Ireland Conference 2019!
​2. Facilitator Michael Cox, MD, MCX Training & Development 
3.​ L to R- Panellists Lisa Murphy- Scurri, Ria White- Eirgen, Ann Marie O'Leary, Zurich & Dr Karen O’Connor- Datapac
4. Claire O'Rourke- Wexford Chamber Skillnet, Karen Walters, County Tipperary Skillnet, Michael Cox, Sara Mullally- Waterford Chamber Skillnet, 
& Ashling Ward- Carlow Kilkenny Skillnet.
5. Ashling Ward- Carlow Kilkenny Skillnet, Claire O'Rourke- Wexford Chamber Skillnet, Paul Healy- CEO Skillnet Ireland, Sara Mullally- Waterford Chamber Skillnet & Karen Walters - County Tipperary Skillnet
6. Paul Healy- CEO Skillnet Ireland, Michelle McHugh - C&C Bulmers & County Tipperary Skillnet Steering Group, Sabrina Guida- County Tipperary Skillnet, Karen Walters, Michelle Aylward- Unitec & Network Promoter, Ger Sammon- Stakelums & Chairperson County Tipperary Skillnet Steering Group.
7. Paul Healy, CEO, Skillnet Ireland
8. Brian Cleary- Acorn Regulatory 
9. Joe O’Connor, CoachPact