Helping Skillnet Business Networks navigate the University / Enterprise ecosystem in a new way

Published: 14 Mar, 2024

We know that for many enterprises, navigating university ecosystems can be complex and time-consuming. The Enterprise Academy has been established to make it easier for industry partners to access accreditation easily and effectively. Working with the Enterprise Academy can make accreditation accessible, affordable and simple, whether for micro-credentials or a major award.

On March 14th, the Enterprise Academy lead a webinar with our Skillnet Business Network partners and enterprise learners to share examples of longstanding Skillnet Ireland programmes successfully co-designed and run in partnership with TU Dublin. We also shared suggestions to help navigate the broader university landscape, for Networks planning to engage with the higher education sector for the first time.

Workforce Talent Development

Skillnet People

The webinar was led by Dr Claire Mc Bride, Head of the Enterprise Academy with contributions from Dr Deirdre Duffy, Senior Engagement Manager at the Enterprise Academy who detailed four exemplar partnership case studies including:

TU Dublin and BioPharmaChem Skillnet
TU Dublin and Technology Ireland, Digital Skillnet
TU Dublin and ICT Skillet
TU Dublin and Cultural and Creative Skillnet

The focus of the webinar was on demonstrating our workforce talent development capability, not through an abstract discussion of the types of programs that we can offer, but rather through the lens of selected programs that we have co-designed and collaborated on with the Skillnet Business Network community.

Case study example

Skillnet Testimonials

There were contributions and testimonials from Skillnet Partners including:

Aoife O'Sullivan, Head of Network Development & Innovation, Skillnet Ireland
Máire Hunt, National Director, Technology Ireland DIGITAL Skillnet
Gareth Lee, Manager of Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet
Aideen Edwards, Programme Lead Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet\

Working with TU Dublin and more recently with Enterprise Academy, there's a few things that are really important to our network. We have worked with different universities and institutions across Ireland and I keep defaulting back to TU Dublin, at this point, I have to be honest, for very good reasons. One is their responsiveness. The second one is their ability to take on board our views, the way we want things done, what we think works, where the views of the companies and the views of the network are as important as views of the faculty. The flexibility that we get from TU Dublin is something that I also want to call out. We've developed programs, we've delivered them in classroom, we've moved through COVID, and we have maintained our numbers.

Máire Hunt, National Director, Technology Ireland Digital Skillnet

Understanding the work we do

The purpose of the Skillnet webinar, was to help potential Skillnet Networks:

Become familiar with a variety of Skillnet Business Networks learning solutions already available at TU Dublin, from immersive virtual reality training and short micro-credential courses to stackable masters-level programmes.
Understand how the Enterprise Academy works as an enterprise engagement pathway, including testimonials from other networks.
Gain an awareness of the range of education offerings TU Dublin can co-develop to support your network members.

Positive feedback from Aideen Edwards, ICT Skillnet Programme Lead:

The Masters in Leadership, Innovation and Technology is our longest standing Master's programme, it holds a special place in our portfolio. Launched back in 2006, it's gone through numerous content changes to remain relevant, the outcome has remained the same, which is to cater to the needs of working professionals while remain remaining competitive in terms of fees, content and industry standards. This program pretty much does sell itself at this point and it's a testament to the relationship that we have built with TU Dublin over the years and also their flexibility.

One key factors that has meant that this program has remained successful is the collaboration between ICT, Skillnet, the University and our industry experts. The partnership is what makes this a stand out masters. It's in the process of going through our revalidation process which happens every five years within accredited course. We recently invited to TU Dublin to join our Steering Board meeting to share their feedback and go through the structure of the program and to make sure that it aligns with what industry needs. We're very pleased to say that it was received very well and we're happy to move to the next stage now of incorporating these changes. This highlights the flexibility of the University and its commitment and passion to make sure that the programme is still hitting the mark all these years later.

Learners Discussion Panel

Learners Discussion Panel that explored What is the Value-Add of University-Enterprise Engagement for Working Learners and their Organisations? with

Stuart McNamara, Portmagee Whiskey
Colin Yelverton, Musgrave
Martina Campbell, WorkHuman
Reg Bennett, LGC Clinical Diagnostics

Download the full presentation here:

TU Dublin Enterprise Academy Skillnet Ireland Presentation

About the Enterprise Academy at TU Dublin

The Enterprise Academy is funded by the Higher Education Authority's HCI Pillar 3, a government programme designed to meet priority skills needs, by increasing collaboration between higher education and enterprise with a focus on innovations in teaching and learning.