Dr Lindsay Malone
Chief Executive, Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board (KCETB)
The most important economic development challenge facing Ireland is talent. Discover how collaboration between education, communities and government can grow national talent and skills.
As employers compete for scarce skills, the strength of a region’s education and training ecosystem is becoming critical to its ability to grow, innovate and compete.
Collective talent development
The South East is entering a period of opportunity, with investment, population growth and sectoral expansion creating demand across engineering, construction, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, digital technologies and the green economy. The strategic challenge is ensuring talent development keeps pace.
At KCETB, we believe this requires a regional talent ecosystem connecting education, employers, communities and government around priorities. Education must do more than provide access to learning; it must create clear pathways into employment, support progression within careers and enable people to return to work.
experience and skills represent a source of regional talent
Lifelong learning is essential
Apprenticeships, Further Education and Training and tertiary programmes provide multiple routes into sectors driving growth. The traditional model of one qualification supporting a 40-year career is increasingly obsolete as skills evolve more rapidly. Regions must enable employees to renew their skills, gain higher-level capabilities and adapt without leaving employment.
Workforce participation can also be strengthened by supporting people returning after periods of caring, family responsibilities, health challenges or other commitments. Their experience and skills represent a source of regional talent.
Anticipating skills needs is vital
Tertiary education can play a strategic role by creating integrated pathways between Further Education and Training and Higher Education, aligning talent development with employer demand and regional priorities. This strategic alignment can expand participation in higher-level learning, retain talent and contribute to productivity, innovation and growth.
The regions that prosper will be those that treat talent as critical infrastructure. Through apprenticeships, Further Education and Training, lifelong learning and tertiary education, KCETB is committed to building the talent capacity the South East needs to seize opportunities and compete in a changing economy.
