Dr. Claire Mc Bride represents TU Dublin at the Skillnet Ireland Autumn Convention
The Enterprise Academy is delighted to share that Dr. Claire Mc Bride, Convene Project Lead and Head of the Enterprise Academy, represented TU Dublin at the Skillnet Ireland Autumn Convention on October 15th, held at The Johnstown Estate, Enfield, Co. Meath.
The event, themed “Shaping Ireland’s Future Ready Workforce,” brought together leaders from education, industry, and policy to explore strategies for workforce innovation in a rapidly evolving global economy.
Mark Jordan, Chief Executive of Skillnet Ireland, opened the convention by welcoming over 70 Skillnet Business Networks and National Initiative Managers and Promoters from across the country. Through the theme, he highlighted the vital role that Skillnet Business Networks and National Initiatives play in building competitiveness through skills for companies across Ireland.
Dr. Mc Bride, took part in the panel discussion titled "Shaping Workforce Innovation in Today’s Global Economy," alongside senior representatives from across the Irish business and education sectors including Conor Healy (CEO, Cork Chamber), Sinead Keogh (Head of Sectors & Director of BioPharmaChem Ireland), and Shane O’Sullivan (CEO, Irish Management Institute). The panel was moderated by Ken Finnegan, Chief Strategy Officer at Skillnet Ireland.
She championed the "triple helix" model of collaboration between universities, enterprise, and government, demonstrating how higher education can partner effectively with industry and policymakers to prepare learners at all life stages for the future of work and for the benefit of society.
Dr. Mc Bride also explored how TU Dublin and Skillnet networks are building a thriving culture of lifelong learning through co-designed programmes and pathways that support individuals, businesses, and sectors in reaching their full potential.
The panel discussion was part of a broader agenda focused on strategic policy, sectoral insights, and collaborative approaches to workforce transformation. Dr. Mc Bride's contribution highlighted TU Dublin's ongoing commitment to lifelong learning and its pivotal role in developing Ireland's talent pipeline through partnerships that drive innovation including groundbreaking, first-of-their-kind programmes and award-winning collaborations with Skillnet networks.