A message from Irish Medtech Skillnet Contracting Organisation – Eoghan Ó Faoláin
Irish Medtech, the sector within Ibec that represents the Medical Devices and Diagnostics industries in Ireland is delighted to present an overview Irish Medtech Skillnet training programmes and Irish Medtech Skillnet sponsored programmes.
As the contracting organisation for the network since its establishment in 2008, I wish to pay tribute to the tremendous work done by the Irish Medtech Skillnet Steering Committee, under the leadership of Ann O'Connell and Mary Kane, alongside our Chair Marguerite O'Sullivan (Kenvue) and the wider steering committee members, in shaping the strategic direction of the network and taking professional development within the sector to the next level.
As the international landscape of the medtech industry continues to shift and evolve, it is imperative that Ireland remains agile and adaptable. Enhancing our reputation as a global hub necessitates having the right skillset to navigate challenges such as new consumer demands, new technological innovations, changing business and regulatory models, emerging sustainable manufacturing, and eco-design methodologies.
Ireland has one of the largest shares of tertiary education with 63% of 25-34-year-olds had a tertiary level qualification in 2023 compared with the EU-27 average of 43%. Overall, for those aged 25-64 years in Q2 2024, more than half have attained a third level education. However, the OECD suggests that for skills to remain relevant, the domains of employment and education must work together to ensure education and learning is of high quality and has a long-term perspective. Lifelong learning through programmes like Skillnet and Springboard can help ensure upskilling and reskilling of the Irish workforce to help us compete internationally.
Ireland is one of the top five global medtech hubs with €16 billion in exports. As many as 60% of companies here are homegrown and 80% are startups or SMEs. It is also a location of choice for FDI investment with 9 of the world’s top 10 medtech companies having a base here with strong clusters in Galway, Limerick, Cork, Waterford, Sligo. The Irish medtech industry is one of the top 7 employers of medtech professionals in Europe as well as the greatest employer of medtech professionals, per capita, with more than 48,000 people working across 450 companies. This figure is now predicted to grow to 56,000 by 2028.
Ibec is Ireland’s largest lobby and business representative group. Our purpose is to help build a better, sustainable future by influencing, supporting and delivering for business success. With over 300 employees, Ibec engages with key stakeholders in Ireland and internationally through our six regional offices and our Brussels office, along with an extensive international network in the UK and US.
Ibec positions are shaped by our diverse membership, which range from small to large, domestic to multinational and our 39 trade associations cover a wide range of industry sectors. Ibec members employ over 70% of the private sector workforce in Ireland.
As well as lobbying, Ibec provides a wide range of professional services and management training to members on all aspects of human resource management, occupational health and safety, employee relations and employment law.
We would also like to acknowledge and thank Skillnet Ireland for their continued commitment and their role in delivering and supporting the future success of the sector here.
To each of our member organisations, I encourage you to ensure that you are getting the most out of what is on offer through the Irish Medtech Skillnet.
By identifying and addressing our sector’s future skills needs, we can ensure that our industry remains at the forefront of innovation and excellence, and that Ireland retains its position as a global leader in innovative patient centred medical technology solutions.
Eoghan Ó Faoláin
Irish Medtech, Director
As the contracting organisation for the network since its establishment in 2008, I wish to pay tribute to the tremendous work done by the Irish Medtech Skillnet Steering Committee, under the leadership of Ann O'Connell and Mary Kane, alongside our Chair Marguerite O'Sullivan (Kenvue) and the wider steering committee members, in shaping the strategic direction of the network and taking professional development within the sector to the next level.
As the international landscape of the medtech industry continues to shift and evolve, it is imperative that Ireland remains agile and adaptable. Enhancing our reputation as a global hub necessitates having the right skillset to navigate challenges such as new consumer demands, new technological innovations, changing business and regulatory models, emerging sustainable manufacturing, and eco-design methodologies.
Ireland has one of the largest shares of tertiary education with 63% of 25-34-year-olds had a tertiary level qualification in 2023 compared with the EU-27 average of 43%. Overall, for those aged 25-64 years in Q2 2024, more than half have attained a third level education. However, the OECD suggests that for skills to remain relevant, the domains of employment and education must work together to ensure education and learning is of high quality and has a long-term perspective. Lifelong learning through programmes like Skillnet and Springboard can help ensure upskilling and reskilling of the Irish workforce to help us compete internationally.
Ireland is one of the top five global medtech hubs with €16 billion in exports. As many as 60% of companies here are homegrown and 80% are startups or SMEs. It is also a location of choice for FDI investment with 9 of the world’s top 10 medtech companies having a base here with strong clusters in Galway, Limerick, Cork, Waterford, Sligo. The Irish medtech industry is one of the top 7 employers of medtech professionals in Europe as well as the greatest employer of medtech professionals, per capita, with more than 48,000 people working across 450 companies. This figure is now predicted to grow to 56,000 by 2028.
Ibec is Ireland’s largest lobby and business representative group. Our purpose is to help build a better, sustainable future by influencing, supporting and delivering for business success. With over 300 employees, Ibec engages with key stakeholders in Ireland and internationally through our six regional offices and our Brussels office, along with an extensive international network in the UK and US.
Ibec positions are shaped by our diverse membership, which range from small to large, domestic to multinational and our 39 trade associations cover a wide range of industry sectors. Ibec members employ over 70% of the private sector workforce in Ireland.
As well as lobbying, Ibec provides a wide range of professional services and management training to members on all aspects of human resource management, occupational health and safety, employee relations and employment law.
We would also like to acknowledge and thank Skillnet Ireland for their continued commitment and their role in delivering and supporting the future success of the sector here.
To each of our member organisations, I encourage you to ensure that you are getting the most out of what is on offer through the Irish Medtech Skillnet.
By identifying and addressing our sector’s future skills needs, we can ensure that our industry remains at the forefront of innovation and excellence, and that Ireland retains its position as a global leader in innovative patient centred medical technology solutions.
Eoghan Ó Faoláin
Irish Medtech, Director