Gillian Audet
Executive, Technology Ireland
As AI evolves from a niche technological trend to a fundamental driver of global productivity, the gap between our current workforce capabilities and future industrial needs is widening.
Ireland now stands at a critical juncture, and to secure our position as a premier knowledge-based economy, we must move beyond acknowledging the AI revolution and begin funding the transition.
National Training Fund
The Employer Levy Fund or the National Training Fund (NTF) is uniquely positioned to bridge this gap. Funded directly by a levy on employers through PRSI contributions, the NTF maintains a vital link between wage growth and productivity.
Workers need more than a passing familiarity with digital tools — they require deep, practical training to harness AI safely, ethically and productively
Crucially, these funds are not ‘public money’ in the traditional sense; they are employer investments specifically earmarked for upskilling. However, the accumulation of significant surpluses — at a time when sectors report acute skills shortages — represents a stalled engine of economic growth.
The deployment of AI is no longer a ‘future’ concern; it is a current reality reshaping manufacturing, professional services and healthcare. Workers need more than a passing familiarity with digital tools — they require deep, practical training to harness AI safely, ethically and productively. By unlocking the NTF, the Government can provide the scale of investment necessary to prevent AI-driven displacement and foster AI-enabled innovation.
Reformed approach to NTF governance
To ensure these resources are utilised effectively, Technology Ireland and our members have proposed a reformed approach to NTF governance:
- By accelerating deployment and fully unlocking the NTF to support demand-driven upskilling in high-impact sectors, specifically targeting AI integration and digital literacy
- Supporting employer oversight and moving beyond treating employers as mere contributors – Working to establish structured governance where industry representatives have a direct, decision-making role in how resources are allocated
- Complete transparency by implementing detailed reporting on fund disbursement and measurable impact to build trust and accountability
The legitimacy of the NTF depends on its responsiveness. By treating employers as genuine partners and releasing these dedicated funds, Ireland can build a resilient, future-ready workforce that is not just a passenger in the AI era, but a leader.
