85% of workers have upskilled over past year

More than 85% of participants in a new survey have said that they have undertaken formal and informal upskilling in the past year, including accredited training programmes.

A survey of 1,000 employed and self-employed workers across Ireland carried out by Skillnet Ireland found that 9 out of 10 people in Cork believe that upskilling and reskilling are important for their professional success.

Lifelong Learning and the Future of Work surveyed workers about their and their employers’ attitudes towards building on their skills as they look to the future.

As technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly become an integral part of today’s enterprise environment, respondents to the survey showed an understanding of the value of having the necessary skills to meet the needs of a changing landscape.

More than two-thirds of respondents in Cork said that they were likely to engage in upskilling of reskilling in 2026. They said that they were most likely to focus on digital (30%), technical (23%), and management and leadership skills (21%).

Skills related to AI followed closely behind, with 57% saying that they will need AI upskilling for their career in the future.

Lifelong learning, according to respondents, goes beyond professional development and career opportunities. More than a quarter said they believe upskilling or reskilling would help keep their mind active and support long-term mental health, while a similar number believed it would boost their confidence and improve emotional wellbeing.

However, while the survey did reveal positive attitudes towards upskilling, there were perceived barriers to engaging in it.

The cost of training (48%), lack of time (46%), and a busy work schedule (44%) or home life (43%) were highlighted.

Despite this, 74% of respondents said that they believe that their employer places value on upskilling and reskilling, while 67% said that their employer provides support.

Dave Flynn, Director of Business Networks, Skillnet Ireland said: “It is encouraging to see so many individuals intending to upskill or reskill this year, particularly across areas such as digital and AI skills.

“At Skillnet Ireland, we see the extent of commitment from both employees and employers across the economy to workforce development, with over 84,000 people participating in upskilling in 2025.

For businesses, investing in skills is not only about supporting employees to succeed, it is also a key driver of innovation, productivity and competitiveness.

Through our Skillnet Business Networks and National Initiatives, Skillnet Ireland is committed to helping businesses of all sizes access the capabilities and skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing economy," he said.

In March, Skillnet Ireland launched its new strategy, Empowering Enterprise 2026-2028, A Strategy for Next Generation Capability, which sets out Skillnet Ireland’s ambitions for the future of Irish businesses and workforce.

The strategy presents a roadmap for strengthening Ireland’s competitiveness and enabling business transformation through digitalisation, AI, and sustainability.