12-06-2025
Action needed to address 'skills gap' in advanced manufacturing
A report has found that urgent action is needed to address what it describes as a "skills gap" in the advanced manufacturing sector on the island of Ireland.
The 2025 Future Skills Report finds that the sector is currently facing threats that could impact innovation, competitiveness and economic growth on both sides of the border, unless co-ordinated action is taken.
These challenges, the report states, are being driven by changing consumer demands, the rapid pace of advances in technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics and automation, as well as accelerating global competition.
It finds that success in overcoming these challenges will depend on breaking down silos, modernising education systems, and fostering cross-border co-operation.
The report was compiled on behalf of the Louth Meath Education and Training Board's Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre of Excellence (AMTCE) in Dundalk, the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) at Queen's University Belfast, and research and technology organisation, Irish Manufacturing Research.
InterTradeIreland provided the funding for the report, which will be officially launched at the AMTCE in the Xerox Technology Park in Dundalk, Co Louth, this morning.
The report makes a number of key findings, including that the demand for advanced technical and transferable skills is rising, but training and curricula are lagging behind.
It also finds that engagement in the sector by people in younger demographics, especially women, remains low.
The document states that employers report difficulty accessing fit-for-purpose training, while educators struggle to respond to evolving industry needs quickly enough.
The report also finds that recruitment in the advanced manufacturing sector is struggling, and the system is "fragmented" as there is no co-ordinated all-island strategy, resulting in duplicated efforts, training misalignment, and limited cross-border collaboration.
The Future Skills Report also makes a number of recommendations, many of which call for increased co-operation between governments, national agencies, education bodies and industry leaders on both sides of the border.
The report states that an all-island skills taskforce should be established to co-ordinate workforce planning and policy across both jurisdictions.
It calls for cross-border apprenticeships to be set up with mutual recognition of qualifications, and for curriculum development to be accelerated through a dedicated unit focused on advanced manufacturing.
The report also states that the industry itself has a role to play in overcoming these challenges and it should partner more actively with educators to shape course content and offer work-based learning, while also supporting national campaigns to "modernise perceptions of manufacturing and highlight real career opportunities".
Chief Executive of the LMETB Martin O'Brien said the report's findings highlight not just workforce issues but a "competitiveness issue".
He said: "If we want to lead in sustainable and advanced manufacturing, we must act now and together. The report is an urgent call to governments, national agencies, education providers, and industry leaders to collaborate across borders and across sectors to futureproof our manufacturing workforce."
Meanwhile, Sam Turner, CEO of the AMIC at Queen's University Belfast, said: "The time is now to collaborate on the delivery of an appropriately skilled workforce across the island of Ireland to drive efficiency and innovation and ensure that companies can adapt quickly to changing market demands and remain globally competitive.
"As rapid technological change is shortening the shelf-life of skills, the importance of collaborative reskilling and upskilling initiatives is key. AMIC is delighted to support and collaborate with our partners to future-proof manufacturing and increase inward investment through high value manufacturing innovation clusters," Mr Turner added.
The launch of the report at the AMTCE in Dundalk will be attended by Minister of State for Further Education Marian Harkin and Stormont's Minister for the Economy Caoimhe Archibald.
The AMTCE in Dundalk, a €26 million centre of excellence offering training in advanced manufacturing and other related technologies, was officially opened in March and has catered for 7,000 learners since its establishment in 2021.
