How an industry-led partnership model is strengthening productivity, competitiveness, and workforce resilience across Dublin.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are central to Dublin’s economic performance, representing most enterprises and a substantial share of regional employment. As the region adapts to rapid structural change-driven by digitalisation, artificial intelligence, sustainability requirements and evolving labour market dynamics-skills development has become a critical determinant of productivity and competitiveness.
Although SMEs increasingly recognise the value of investing in skills, engagement with available supports remains uneven. Employer feedback across Dublin highlights time constraints, limited HR capacity and the complexity of the skills system as barriers, often leading to under utilisation of publicly funded and subsidised training. The Dublin Regional Skills Forum (DRSF) SME Skills Guide was created to address these challenges by improving system navigation and strengthening links between enterprise and education.
Improving SME engagement with skills is not simply a workforce issue-it is a productivity and competitiveness issue for the Dublin economy.
Natasha Kinsella DRSF Manager
The DRSF operates through a partnership model that brings together enterprise, education and the State at regional level. An initiative of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS), and led by an Industry Chair, the Forum ensures employer voice directly shapes skills priorities. This governance model strengthens alignment between skills supply and real world demand, ensuring public investment delivers measurable economic impact.
How the DRSF Partnership Model Works
- Industry led governance: Each Forum is chaired by an employer representative, ensuring enterprise needs drive priorities.
- Regional coordination: The DRSF convenes further and higher education providers, Skillnet Ireland, enterprise agencies and local stakeholders to align provision regionally.
- Evidence informed delivery: Employer insights and labour market intelligence shape demand led programmes and targeted interventions.
- System navigation for SMEs: The Forum simplifies access to publicly funded supports, reducing fragmentation and improving uptake.
- Economic impact focus: Activity is prioritised where skills investment can support productivity, retention and competitiveness.
Working closely with SMEs, education providers, Skillnet Ireland, Local Enterprise Offices and enterprise agencies, the DRSF plays a system connector. It translates labour market intelligence into practical actions, supporting flexible, demand led learning pathways accessible to smaller firms.
An industry-led approach ensures that skills provision is grounded in current and emerging business needs.
Christine McGrath Chair DRSF Learning, Leadership and People Development leader at Sysco Ireland
The SME Skills Guide consolidates pathways to key supports-including ETBs, Springboard+, Skillnet Ireland and micro credentials-reducing friction and improving take up. Emphasis is placed on short, modular and flexible learning that enables SMEs to upskill in areas such as digital capability, leadership and sustainability without disrupting operations.
In a tight labour market, skills investment strengthens employee retention and firm level resilience. By embedding lifelong learning within business strategy, the DRSF supports both workforce development and broader regional economic performance, helping Dublin remain competitive for talent and investment.
Visit the SME Skills Guide online.
An initiative of Department of Further Higher Education Research Science and Innovation (DFHERIS)
Manager, Dublin Regional Skills Forum
