Powering Ireland's Renewable Energy Workforce: Inside Green Tech Skillnet

Laoise Ní Fhlaithearta Skills Operations Manager, Green Tech Skillnet and Johanna Banaditsch, Network Administrator, Green Tech Skillnet

Ireland's transition to a cleaner energy future is happening now. Achieving the targets set out in Ireland's Climate Action Plan, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030 and reaching climate neutrality by 2050, will require one of the most significant transformations of the country's economy. Renewable energy will be at the centre of that transition.

Ireland has already established itself as a global leader in onshore wind energy, but the next phase of the journey is even more ambitious. By 2030, Ireland is targeting more than 20GW of installed renewable energy capacity, powered by a mix of onshore wind, offshore wind, solar energy, energy storage and emerging technologies such as green hydrogen. Delivering that scale of change requires people with the skills to design, build, operate and maintain the energy system of the future.

Skills are critical to Ireland's energy transition

As renewable technologies become increasingly interconnected, so too do the skills needed to support them. Today's workforce needs expertise that spans technicians, engineering and environmental, project management, seafarers and geophysical, legal and finance, digital technologies, grid integration, sustainability and leadership.

Wind Energy Ireland's Strategy 2026–2030 recognises that developing a skilled, adaptable and resilient workforce is fundamental to achieving Ireland's renewable energy ambitions. This is where Green Tech Skillnet plays a vital role.

As an industry-led Skillnet Ireland network operating through a public-private partnership with Wind Energy Ireland, Green Tech Skillnet works directly with businesses to identify emerging skills needs and deliver practical, industry-focused training that helps companies and individuals keep pace with a rapidly evolving sector.

Building workforce capability across the sector

Green Tech Skillnet's mission is simple: to support the optimisation of renewable energy on Ireland's electricity grid through impactful learning and development initiatives. That work goes well beyond delivering training courses.

The network supports workforce development through:

• Workforce planning and new skills development
• Industry skills research
• Leadership development
• Events and professional networking
• Educational resources
• Strategic partnerships across industry and academia
• Green skills advocacy
  

By working closely with employers, universities, training providers and policymakers, Green Tech Skillnet ensures that training reflects both today's requirements and tomorrow's opportunities.

Training designed around industry needs

One of Green Tech Skillnet's defining strengths is its industry-led approach. The network continuously engages with renewable energy companies through steering groups, advisory groups, surveys, research and direct consultation to understand where skills gaps exist.

From there, Green Tech Skillnet follows a flexible three-stage approach:

• Fund existing high-quality training where suitable programmes already exist.
• Adapt existing courses to reflect changes in technology, regulation or industry practice.
• Build entirely new programmes where critical skills gaps have been identified.

This approach allows the network to respond quickly to changing industry needs while ensuring businesses have access to practical, relevant and affordable training.

Supporting every stage of the renewable energy workforce

The renewable energy transition requires people from a wide range of professions and disciplines, not just engineers. Green Tech Skillnet delivers programmes across areas including:

• Wind Energy
• Solar PV
• Energy Storage
• High Voltage Systems
• Grid Technologies
• Project Management
• Leadership and Management
• Markets, Finance and Regulation
• Sustainability
• Environment and Biodiversity
• Cyber Security
• Asset Management
• Community Engagement
• Health and Safety

Programmes range from graduate and entry-level training through to specialist technical development and senior leadership programmes, helping individuals build careers while enabling organisations to strengthen their workforce.

Green Tech Skillnet in numbers

The impact of this approach can be seen across the renewable energy sector. Since 2020, Green Tech Skillnet has:

• Trained more than 7,500 people
• Supported over 2,400 companies
• Delivered around 36,000 training days
• Invested €5.5 million in training
• Generated €2.7 million in grant-funded savings for companies
• Secured €2.8 million in company match funding

The network also supports businesses of every size, with around 27% of trainees coming from companies employing fewer than 10 people, demonstrating its commitment to strengthening Ireland's renewable energy supply chain from SMEs through to larger organisations.

Importantly, Green Tech Skillnet doesn't simply deliver existing courses. Nearly 41% of programmes have been newly developed with industry and education partners, while a further 19% have been adapted to ensure they remain aligned with changing technologies and policy.

Creating pathways into renewable energy careers

Alongside supporting existing professionals, Green Tech Skillnet is helping build the next generation of Ireland's renewable energy workforce.

Through dedicated Skills Connect initiatives, the network has supported more than 350 jobseekers through career transition and work placement programmes, including training for wind turbine technicians, renewable energy professionals and solar installers.

These initiatives help create clear pathways into one of Ireland's fastest-growing sectors while supporting employers to access skilled talent.

Supporting Ireland's renewable future

As Ireland's energy system continues to diversify, the need for a highly skilled workforce will only grow.

By bringing together industry, education and government, Green Tech Skillnet is helping ensure that Ireland has the capability, capacity and resilience needed to deliver its renewable energy ambitions for now and the decades beyond.

Whether you're looking to upskill your workforce, develop new technical capabilities or explore a career in renewable energy, Green Tech Skillnet provides practical, industry-led training that helps turn Ireland's climate ambitions into reality.

Explore current Green Tech Skillnet programmes and training opportunities or contact [email protected] to discuss how Green Tech Skillnet can support your organisation's workforce development.

Mark Ruane, Head of Renewable Energy Skills, Green Tech Skillnet