Skillnet Ireland launches Innovation Skillnet with IRDG

IRDG Skillnet Business Network will focus on innovation for businesses

Trade

Skillnet Ireland and the Industry Research & Development Group (IRDG) have announced a new partnership which will empower businesses to succeed through innovation with world-class skills training.

The IRDG Innovation Skillnet will work with businesses to develop innovation capabilities and resilience to change, deliver innovation strategies effectively and create cultures of innovation, navigate uncertainty and reduce the risk involved in innovation, and rise to the challenges of digitalisation and sustainability.

Since 1992, IRDG has identified and pioneered key areas of innovation skills training for industry in Ireland including design thinking; lean product development; applying technological innovation; as well as innovation strategy and management.

IRDG has an ecosystem of over 300 companies and research institutes with thousands of experts and peers who share the common goal of unlocking the full potential of research and innovation. It works across 24 sectors, and was key to establishing R&D incentives in Ireland that support tens of thousands of jobs and €3.8bn in annual business investment. IRDG works with small, medium and large companies, domestic and multinational, engaged across domains as diverse as pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, food, medtech, software, insurance, retail, and insurance.

Dave Flynn, director of business networks, Skillnet Ireland, said: “Strengthening our innovation capabilities is crucial for maintaining our competitive edge in an increasingly lean, green, and digital landscape. We are pleased to partner with IRDG on this national imperative in this, the EU Year of Skills,”

Dermot Casey, CEO of IRDG, added: “We will help organisations establish the leadership, internal culture and support required to successfully make innovation an ongoing activity that produces results – rather than leaving it to pockets of work or to chance inspiration. Globally we expect we’ll see an emerging profession of innovation management over the next decade and through the IRDG Innovation Skillnet and we look forward to being at the forefront of that progression.”

TechCentral Reporters

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