Anne-Marie Tierney Le Roux
Divisional Manager for Technology, Content, Consumer and Business Services at IDA Ireland
As Ireland competes globally for high-value technology investment, skills development, female leadership and collaboration with government and academia are becoming essential for long-term competitiveness in a dynamic, AI-driven economy.
Ireland has some of the highest levels of STEM education and participation, reflecting a strong national focus on technical skills and innovation.
Anne-Marie Tierney Le Roux, Divisional Manager for Technology, Content & Consumer Business Services, IDA Ireland, reinforces the importance of continuing to develop STEM skills as central to Ireland’s growth and competitiveness.
“Global technology investors are keen to understand Ireland’s AI readiness, including our stability within a diverse and fast-moving sector,” explains Le Roux. “Driving digital skills ensures that as a country, we can attract the highest calibre of foreign direct investment.”
IDA Ireland’s upskilling initiative has reached 35,000 unskilled individuals in its first year, against a 40,000 four-year target, reflecting the scale and momentum of Ireland’s growing talent pipeline.
Having strong female role models in industry instils confidence in young women to pursue similar career paths,
enhancing the diversity of Ireland’s workforce
Diversity as a strategic imperative
Le Roux explains that narrowing the digital skills gender gap within Ireland is becoming an economic necessity, following recognition that “a diverse skill base is critical to a growing dynamic economy.” Diverse companies are more likely to outperform their peers, and Le Roux highlights this as a strategic imperative for IDA Ireland.
“Ireland is fortunate to have several incredible women in senior leadership across many of the largest technology companies in Ireland, including Vanessa Hartley, Head of Google Ireland, Catherine O’Doyle, General Manager at Microsoft Ireland, Anne O’Leary, Head of Meta Ireland, and Sabrina Casalta, CEO of Vodafone Ireland,” explains Le Roux. “Having strong female role models in industry instils confidence in young women to pursue similar career paths, enhancing the diversity of Ireland’s workforce.”
Innovation and collaboration
Graduates throughout Ireland, male and female, are being equipped with state-of-the-art skills, with many IDA clients working in tandem with universities to deliver programmes specifically geared towards this, such as its Qualcomm partnership with UCC.
“Looking ahead, the countries that will succeed in attracting high-value investment will be those where government, industry and academia work in collaboration,” concluded Le Roux.
To find out more, go to: https://www.idaireland.com/
