Pictured at the Shannon Chamber brainstorming session (from left): Alan Kelly, network manager; Elanor Nash, chief people officer, An Post; Helen Downes, CEO, Shannon Chamber; Aine Barry, Irish Business Training (session facilitator); Fiona Gilchrist, Jaquar Land Rover, and; Trevor Rodgers, Atlantic Aviation Group.
ARTIFICIAL intelligence’s importance as a business tool has been recognised by Shannon companies.
Prior to submitting its annual funding request to Skillnet Ireland, Shannon Chamber, as the promotor of a Skillnet business network, undertakes a brainstorming session with its members to assess their training requirements for the year ahead.
With a growing emphasis on AI as a business tool, it came as little surprise that this ranked high on companies’ lists with many striving to become more aware of its uses and impact, stating that fear oftentimes prevents them from using AI.
Having delivered 98 programmes, involving 2,904 training days, to 582 employees in 96 companies in 2024, these advance brainstorming sessions enable the Chamber to ensure that its Skillnet is delivering the type and level of training that its member companies require.
This year will be no exception with Shannon Chamber Skillnet already focused on delivering a suite of leadership development, emotional wellness, technical, procurement, finance, project management, lean, and problem-solving programmes in response to its members specific requests.
CEO of Shannon Chamber Helen Downes explained, “One of the key themes to develop from last year’s session was the need for leadership development. This led to our Skillnet network running a Level 8 Diploma in High Performance Leadership with Career Decisions and accredited by TUD. The programme was an overwhelming success and was oversubscribed. As a result of this latest member feedback, we are running this programme again, starting on the 25 February, and it is almost fully subscribed”.
She added, “Last year, in collaboration with our colleagues in Skillnet Ireland, Limerick Chamber Skillnet and the University of Limerick, we were involved in an EU project, named Project EAGLE. This project was devised to support SMEs on their digital journeys. Learnings from last year’s brainstorming session informed the modules that were delivered under Project EAGLE. Two fully funded modules have already been delivered, the first entitled ‘An Introduction to Data Analytics/Visualisation & Machine Learning’ and the second, ‘Digitalisation of Process’. Another cohort of data analytics will commence shortly. Being able to respond proactively to members’ needs reinforces the importance of industry engagement”.
An added dimension to the Chamber’s brainstorming event was a presentation given by An Post’s chief people officer, Elanor Nash, who shared her views on the value of continuous learning and development in an organisation. With a staff count of 9,500 people, An Post places great emphasis on encouraging its employees to upskill and to take ownership of their own careers.
With a focus on digital literacy in the company, Ms Nash said that digital enablement will be a game changer for An Post, and with four short courses already being delivered through its Digital Professional Academy, this focus is being turned into reality.
Commenting on the value of continuous upskilling, Elanor advised attendees at the brainstorming event to understand that, in offering opportunities to employees, they must want to upskill, need ambition, and want to do it themselves. “People are unique; they have various skills so there is more than one way forward. Our advice to staff is to own their own careers, take opportunities as they come, keep their skills fresh, and prove that they are ready for the next step. The world has changed, and the jobs people have today will be different in five years times,” she said. “Don’t be afraid of change”, she added.
