ESRI Report: AI Threatens High-Earning Jobs; Skillnet to Upskill 400,000 Irish Workers
An ESRI report warns AI could displace 7% of high-earning Irish jobs, necessitating widespread upskilling. Skillnet’s new strategy aims to support 100,000 businesses and 400,000 workers by 2028 through lifelong learning and AI-focused training. Various programs and microcredentials are available to help the workforce adapt to technological changes.
A new report from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) indicates that artificial intelligence (AI) poses a significant risk to higher-earning and more highly educated workers, potentially displacing seven percent of current jobs in the short to medium term. The report emphasizes that while AI can boost productivity and living standards, this depends on the workforce acquiring necessary skills or transitioning to less exposed roles. It highlights Ireland’s strong educational foundation but stresses the need for targeted support, lifelong learning, retraining, and programs for AI-complementary or undersupplied occupations.
This follows Skillnet’s new strategy, «Empowering Enterprise 2026 – 2028, A Strategy for Next Generation Capability,» which focuses on competitiveness through digitalization, AI, and sustainability. Skillnet, the national talent development agency funded by the National Training Fund, aims to support 100,000 businesses and 400,000 workers over the next three years. Its CEO, Mark Jordan, stated the goal is to foster an agile, connected, and resilient skills ecosystem.
Skillnet operates 70 business networks offering services from skills gap analysis to subsidized enterprise-led training. Programs like MentorsWork, a collaboration with the Small Firms Association, provide free 12-week mentorship. Other organizations like ISME and Ibec also offer Skillnet-supported upskilling programs, with Ibec Academy providing qualifications from Technological University (TU) Dublin. Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) and Enterprise Ireland also offer training and development, including Leadership for Growth. Microcredentials, short university-accredited courses, and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) are also emerging as flexible options for upskilling and acknowledging existing workplace knowledge.