TechHeads at Skillnet Ireland’s National Roadshow: Driving Innovation, AI, and Green Skills at FMCI

On 21st November 2025, TechHeads had the pleasure of attending Skillnet Ireland’s Third National Roadshow at the Future Mobility Campus Ireland (FMCI).

The event brought together business leaders and industry experts to explore workforce development, emerging skills, and innovation across Ireland. The day was a mix of insights, personal stories, and reflections on what the future holds for the Irish workforce. There was also a touch of Clare banter, as key speakers tried to outdo one another in claiming the biggest connection with the Banner County!

The event was officially opened by Wassim Derguech, COO of FMCI, who warmly welcomed attendees. He showcased FMCI as a hub for innovation, collaboration, and experimentation—where ideas are turned into real-world solutions. He also revealed some of the more “practical” innovations: traffic lights installed behind the building, perfect for engineers to test vehicles, much to the delight of FMCI and the irritation of nearby workers. Drones are regularly flown around the car park, giving everyone an idea of the cutting-edge experiments happening right on site.

Michelle Guthrie from Skillnet Ireland then greeted attendees and proudly declared herself “a true Clare woman,” adding a touch of local warmth to the morning. Helen Downes, Chief Executive of the Shannon Chamber of Commerce, delivered the opening address, highlighting the Chamber’s work and its collaboration with the Limerick Chamber, thanking everyone for attending and setting a positive, engaged tone for the day.

Minister Timmy Dooley was also present, showing his support for the event. He had a chat with TechHeads’ Marketing Executive, Elaine Egan, discussing some of the fascinating projects around FMCI, including Lidar cars and drones.

Mark Jordan, CEO of Skillnet Ireland, spoke about the growing importance of green skills and AI expertise. He shared a personal story about his connection to Clare: though he grew up in London, he spent his summer holidays in County Clare visiting family. With a chuckle, he mentioned that he picked up “a bit of an East Clare accent” over the years. His light-hearted anecdote added a personable touch to his talk. He emphasised that green skills and AI will be critical for Ireland’s future competitiveness, and that both businesses and individuals must adapt to a rapidly evolving economic landscape.

Minister Marian Harkin highlighted the ongoing need for upskilling and reskilling, particularly in digital, AI, leadership, and soft skills. She described talent as:

“Talent is one of Ireland’s best assets.”

She also spoke about the importance of initiatives such as the Midwest Regional Skills Forum and regular showcase events connecting education and industry. Minister Harkin shared a personal anecdote: her husband was behind the creation of the Quinsworth chain, which later became Tesco in Ireland. This story offered a tangible example of enterprise and innovation shaping the Irish business landscape.

Michael Dwyer, Policy Research Advisor at Skillnet Ireland, discussed the role of research and data in guiding workforce development, highlighting growth in the financial services sector and machinery rental and leasing market.

The lively panel discussion was moderated by Dave Flynn, Director of Business Networks at Skillnet Ireland, who kept the conversation flowing with thoughtful and intuitive questions.

The panel included:

• Anthony Brennan, Chief People Officer at Atlantic Aviation Group, reflected on the impact of Covid-19 on aviation repair. He described his business as “similar to a garage, but the machinery is worth millions of euros of aircraft,” noting how the shutdown led to significant workforce attrition due to the mobility of skilled employees. Anthony discussed the digitisation of aviation repair, highlighting the use of iPads and VR headsets that allow engineers to access manuals while on the move. He also celebrated the company’s growth, marking its 10th anniversary in 2025, and reflected on the journey from its humble beginnings.
• Elaina Fitzgerald Kane, Director of Fitzgeralds Woodlands House & Spa Hotel, spoke about the challenges facing the hospitality and tourism sector, including rising energy costs and operational pressures. She emphasised that humans remain critical even in a digitised world and discussed the importance of connecting education and business so that upskilled talent stays in Ireland. She referenced events like the Ryder Cup as opportunities to showcase Irish expertise and spoke about sustainability reporting as an emerging responsibility for businesses.
• MEP Billy Kelleher, representing Ireland South, offered insights on Ireland’s strategic priorities, including hosting the EU Presidency and addressing workforce shortages amid housing and labour supply challenges. He referenced Ireland’s National Strategic Roadmap for the EU Digital Decade, which sets ambitious 2030 targets for digital skills, business digitalisation, and digital government, including ensuring that 80% of adults have at least basic digital skills by 2030 (gov.ie). Billy emphasised that two-thirds of businesses in the Midwest will need to upskill their workforce to remain competitive, underscoring the need for collaboration between government, industry, and education providers.

From a TechHeads perspective, key themes such as green skills, AI, digitalisation, leadership, and soft skills emerged as essential to keeping Ireland competitive. Investing in both technical expertise and people-focused skills will help future-proof the workforce and cement Ireland’s position as a leader in innovation and sustainable growth.

The event at FMCI reinforced TechHeads’ view of the Midwest as a thriving hub for innovation, skills development, and collaboration, underlining the region’s vital role in shaping Ireland’s evolving economy.