Ibec group Technology Ireland calls for investment in AI skills

Its director, Una Fitzpatrick, points out the National Training Fund has accumulated a significant surplus while many sectors continue to report critical skills shortages

Technology Ireland is calling for 'decisive investment' in training programmes that respond to real-time industry needs.

Ibec group Technology Ireland has called for a large-scale investment in worker skills and training in AI (artificial intelligence) capabilities, as well as an enhancement and simplification of the research and development (R&D) tax credit in the budget.

In its pre-budget submission to the Government, the organisation called for a large-scale investment, through the National Training Fund, to equip workers with advanced digital and AI capabilities, “ensuring a just and competitive transition to an AI-enabled economy”.

It urges the “decisive investment” in training programmes that respond to real-time industry needs.

Technology Ireland director Una Fitzpatrick said the next five years will be “pivotal for Ireland and the global economy”, adding that investment in skills and innovation is a “national imperative”.

“The National Training Fund is employers’ money, collected to invest directly in workforce transformation. Using it strategically is key to unlocking Ireland’s AI-enabled future,” she said.

Ms Fitzpatrick said in recent years, the National Training Fund has accumulated a significant surplus “while many sectors of the economy continue to report critical skills shortages and urgent demands for workforce transformation”.

These surpluses represent a missed opportunity to strengthen Ireland’s labour force at a time when agility and lifelong learning are more important than ever. 

The group is calling on the Government to enhance and simplify access to the R&D tax credit which, it said, would “significantly enhance the usability and impact of the credit”.

Technology Ireland is also calling for a simplification of regulations and for the Government to avoid “gold-plating” EU regulations when transposing them into national law.

It said the “approach taken by Government and regulators over the past few years has created an overly burdensome landscape for business”.

The group also welcomed the launch of the Silicon Ireland strategy, and called for “swift implementation of its recommendations and the formation of a dedicated steering committee”.

Launched in May, the Silicon Island strategy is designed to create high-value jobs, secure long-term investment, as well as “cement Ireland’s role as a critical player in Europe’s semiconductor future”.