Future-Proofing Irish Multinational SMEs: Strategic Supports for Sustainable Growth

For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the rapid pace of global change can be challenging. Unlike large corporations with more extensive resources, many SMEs must balance immediate business demands with the need to stay competitive and relevant. Building a future-ready workforce—one that is resilient, adaptable, and equipped with the skills of tomorrow—is essential for the long-term growth and sustainability of these businesses.

At IDA Ireland, we are dedicated to the long-term success of Irish SMEs, helping them not only to keep pace but also to lead with a strategic, people-focused approach. Our client portfolio includes over 1,800 multinational companies in Ireland, with a significant portion being SMEs with fewer than 250 employees. Recognising the unique challenges these businesses face, we provide targeted support through four key pillars:

1. Talent Development
2. Digitalisation
3. Sustainability
4. Innovation

This structured approach empowers SMEs to maximise their impact and establish a strong foundation for sustainable growth, innovation, and digital transformation, even with limited resources. Our commitment is not only to offer resources but to partner in a way that drives genuine impact through collaboration across Ireland’s state support ecosystem.

Why Future-Readiness is Critical

Preparing for the future is about more than just responding to changes; it’s about creating a workforce that can drive growth, enhance competitiveness, and thrive in a changing landscape. By investing in workforce transformation, companies gain resilience, adaptability, and a stronger foundation for sustained success. IDA Ireland and the state ecosystem offer a wide range of resources to support SMEs on this journey, providing expertise and practical support.

The Four Pillars of a Future-Ready Workforce

Each of these pillars offers targeted support that can be tailored to meet the unique needs of Irish SMEs. Here’s how these resources can help companies achieve sustainable growth:

1. Talent Development and Leadership Development: Building Teams that Can Adapt and Lead

Organisational agility is about building resilience and adaptability at every level. An agile workforce can respond effectively to change, while strong leadership ensures that teams are guided through this process with confidence.

• SOLAS and ETBs: Regionally based Education & Training Boards (ETBs) offer training in transversal and technical skills, with options for customised, company-specific courses. ETBs can partner directly with companies to develop tailored programs that address industry-specific needs, ensuring alignment with company goals.
• Skillnet Ireland: With 70 Skillnet networks across Ireland, covering both regional and industry-specific needs, Skillnet Ireland offers short and long-term courses to help SMEs build flexible, responsive teams ready to adapt to new challenges. Every company should be aware of the networks available in their sector or area—please reach out to me if you would like an introduction to a relevant Skillnet. Building Competitiveness Through Skills | Skillnet Ireland
• Leadership Development: Effective leadership is essential for fostering organisational agility. Strengthening leadership skills enables teams to navigate change confidently and make impactful decisions. Specific programmes, such as Leading with Strategic Intent and the Future Subsidiary Leaders Programme, developed in partnership with the Shaping and inspiring business leaders- Irish Management Institute (IMI), support clients in building strong leadership within their Irish teams.
• Micro-Credentials: Ireland is at the forefront in developing micro-credentials, with a national framework designed to meet evolving industry needs. These short, accredited programs provide targeted, flexible learning focused on specific skills and competencies, enabling employees to upskill quickly. Micro-credentials allow companies to build team agility without the time commitment of full-length courses, helping them stay adaptable and competitive. For Employers - Information For Employers | MicroCreds

These resources empower businesses to develop a workforce that can pivot quickly and leaders who inspire and drive change.

2. Digitalisation: Building a Foundation for Growth

Digital skills are critical across all functions, from operations to customer engagement. In today’s data-driven economy, digital proficiency not only boosts operational efficiency but also enables SMEs to innovate, make informed decisions, and meet customer expectations in real-time. However, many companies are at the start of this journey and may not know where to begin.

There are supports available to help navigate this process and identify the most impactful first steps:

• Initial Engagement: Undertake IDA’s Digitalisation Diagnostic tool, free to all clients, to assess your site’s current maturity level.
• Digital Resources: Engaging with organisations like Digital Manufacturing Ireland (DMI), the AIM Centre in Sligo, the Home - AMTCE in Dundalk, and NIBRT - National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training can be an invaluable starting point. These organisations help SMEs understand what digitalisation may mean for their specific business and guide them on the journey forward.
• Digital and Data Skills Study: This study, conducted by IDA Ireland and Skillnet Ireland, identifies key digital skills needed across non-IT roles. It provides a clear picture of the skills companies should prioritise for upskilling, ensuring they build a digital foundation that supports both immediate and long-term goals.
• Homepage - FIT - Tech Apprenticeships and Courses FIT offers targeted training programs to help companies build essential digital skills, including specialized areas like cybersecurity and software development.

With these resources, SMEs can confidently begin their digitalisation journey, building a solid foundation for future growth.

3. Sustainability: Turning Challenges into Opportunities

For many SMEs, the path to sustainability can seem daunting, often viewed as an additional burden rather than a strategic opportunity. Yet, incorporating sustainable practices is not only key to building a strong reputation and meeting regulatory demands—it’s also a powerful competitive advantage. IDA Ireland provides a range of resources to help SMEs integrate sustainability into their operations effectively, ensuring they can turn these challenges into growth opportunities.

• Sustainability Leaders Programme: Delivered by the Climate Ready Academy in partnership with Skillnet Ireland, this fully funded programme offers sustainability leadership training tailored for SMEs. It’s an excellent starting point for any client looking to understand the impact and opportunities of sustainability for their business. Sign up now for the next programme starting in January 2025! Sustainability Leaders Programme with IDA Ireland | Climate Ready Academy
• Green Skills Programmes: Through Skills to Advance, green skills micro-qualifications are available via Education and Training Boards (ETBs) in areas like Environmental Sustainability, Resource Efficiency, and the Circular Economy. These courses equip employees to contribute positively to sustainability in the workplace. New Green skills programmes | SOLAS | Learning Works
• IDA Green Supports: Funding is available for capital projects and Climate Action Plan development, positioning SMEs to lead in responsible business practices. IDA 'Go Green' Offer | IDA Ireland

With these resources, companies can embed sustainability into their operations and establish themselves as forward-thinking, responsible organisations within their global organisation.

4. Innovation: Creating New Value for Growth and Competitiveness

At IDA Ireland, we view innovation as the creation of new value—whether through enhanced products, services, or operational efficiencies. As corporate strategies increasingly prioritise innovation, it is essential for Irish SMEs to build their innovation capabilities to remain competitive and relevant. Developing a culture of innovation positions companies to lead in their sectors, respond to evolving market demands, drive sustainable growth, and secure a resilient future.

Key resources include:

• IDA’s Innovation Diagnostic: This free tool enables companies to assess their current and target maturity levels in innovation, helping to identify key areas for growth and investment.
• IDA’s Innovate Programme: Designed to support the development of an innovation strategy or tackle specific challenges, this programme builds innovation management capabilities, embedding innovation principles throughout an organisation’s operations.
• R&D Grant Support: Financial assistance for research and development helps SMEs expand their product pipeline and drive forward-looking solutions.

Case Study: Supporting Workforce Transformation for Strategic Change & Growth

At IDA Ireland, we work closely with clients to align strategic priorities with operational goals, facilitating workshops that bring these priorities to life. In this case, we began by aligning the company’s broader corporate strategy with the goals of its Irish site, establishing a strong foundation for targeted growth initiatives.

This regionally based manufacturing company, with 200 employees, embarked on an ambitious growth journey but faced workforce attraction and retention challenges. Despite a skilled team, many employees lacked formal qualifications, limiting advancement. While technical capabilities were developed with a compliance focus, the company lacked a strategic training plan to upskill, reskill, or cross-skill employees in transversal skills like communication, change management, leadership, as well as in digitalisation and sustainability.

To address these challenges, IDA Ireland and the company co-created a transformation roadmap through a facilitated half-day workshop, built around four essential pillars: Organisational Agility & Leadership Development, Digitalisation, Sustainability, and Innovation. This tailored support enabled the company to focus on the following key actions:

1. Strategic Talent Development Programme: Participating in this IDA/Skillnet programme, the company developed career pathways, examined role criticality, and focused on succession planning and skill gaps to significantly enhance their Employee Value Proposition.
2. Strategic L&D Plan: With IDA support, the company created a three-year learning and development plan focused on leadership, sustainability, digitalisation, and innovation, co-funded by an IDA Training Grant to ensure long-term delivery.
3. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): Partnering with a local university, the company implemented an RPL programme to formally recognise employees’ expertise and experience, supporting career progression.
4. Climate Action Plan: IDA emphasised the importance of a Climate Action Plan as part of the sustainability pillar, providing resources to develop this plan and positioning the company to meet future environmental standards.
5. Exploring Digitalisation: To help the company explore digitalisation, IDA introduced them to Digital Manufacturing Ireland (DMI), enabling them to consider tailored digital solutions to enhance operational efficiency and innovation.

Reflecting on this transformation journey, the company shared:

“With IDA Ireland’s support, we’ve embarked on a comprehensive transformation journey, starting with the Strategic Talent Development Programme and a strategic L&D plan for our workforce. We’ve begun working with DMI to explore digitalisation tailored to our needs, and we’re now looking into developing a Climate Action Plan. IDA has been instrumental in guiding us at our own pace, ensuring we’re building a sustainable and future-ready foundation.”

Leveraging Ireland’s Unique Ecosystem of Support for SMEs

Ireland boasts a robust and comprehensive support ecosystem for SMEs, including Building Competitiveness Through Skills | Skillnet Ireland, Digital Manufacturing Ireland (DMI), the AIM Centre, AMTCE, SOLAS through local ETBs, a significant third-level sector, and numerous state-funded research centers. This extensive network is complemented by nine Regional Skills Fora, each led by a dedicated Forum Manager Regional Skills | Solas | Learning Works

For smaller companies, navigating this well-resourced ecosystem can feel overwhelming. Connecting with your Regional Skills Forum Manager can be transformative. These managers provide invaluable local expertise, tailored insights, and direct connections to resources that address specific skills needs within your area. Engaging with a Regional Skills Forum Manager unlocks a powerful network that bridges skills gaps, strengthens workforce capabilities, and builds a solid foundation for sustainable growth. gov.ie - Find support to train your staff with Regional Skills

IDA Ireland complements these supports with training grants, green supports, diagnostic tools, RD&I supports and tailored resources. Connecting with your IDA Project Executive can help identify the most appropriate supports and interventions for your specific challenges.

Take the Next Step with IDA Ireland

A future-ready workforce and resilient business is within reach. Contact IDA Ireland today to explore our support resources, including:

• Talent Development: Access the Strategic Talent Development Programme (STDP), Training Grants, ecosystem connections and more.
• Diagnostic Tools for Innovation and Digitalisation: Assess your current maturity and define your desired future state.
• Green Supports: Funding for capital projects and Climate Action Plans.
• Innovation Supports: R&D and Innovation Management resources.
• Customised Resources: Tailored solutions to ensure long-term success.

Ireland’s SMEs are vital to our nation’s resilience and growth. Together, we’re building a future where Irish companies are dynamic, resilient, and lead with courage and ambition.

If your organisation is ready to advance its transformation journey, I welcome the opportunity to connect and explore how IDA Ireland’s resources can support your goals.

The supports and resources provided by IDA Ireland are subject to eligibility criteria. Please contact your IDA Project Executive for detailed information on program qualifications and terms.