Annual Report 2025 Entire Book - Flipbook - Page 141
The piece, developed jointly to ensure clear and consistent messaging, focused on the strategic value of
foreign language skills for Ireland9s role in Europe. It was published in print and online, including on
businessnews.ie, and shared across A Career for EU and Languages Connect channels. Partner organisations
such as the Centre for Entrepreneurship, Technology Ireland and the Department of Further and Higher
Education, Research, Innovation and Science also amplioed the article. The print edition was distributed at
the NAPD conference and the OECD Local Economic and Development Forum.
Career and employment highlights with CareersPortal.ie
In 2025, PPLI continued its partnership with CareersPortal.ie, maintaining a dedicated languages section
within the site9s careers content. This section links language learning to enterprise and economic sectors
including the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland,
reinforcing the role of languages in Ireland9s long-term competitiveness.
AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT FROM
AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT FROM
MEDIAPLANET WHO TAKE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY
Why learning EU
languages matters for
Ireland’s place in Europe
Irish citizens have shaped the EU for over 50
years. More Irish candidates with strong language
skills are needed to maintain and strengthen our
influence in the EU.
he work of the EU is wide-ranging,
so it recruits people with a variety of
interests, skill sets and backgrounds.
T
Amplifying Irish voices in Europe
bodies
Irish representation is vital across EU
like the European Commission, the European
50
Parliament, the Court of Justice and over
such
specialised agencies dealing with issues
as human rights, cybersecurity and public
health. EU officials represent 450 million
their
of
knowledge
citizens, bringing essential
home countries, which helps shape inclusive,
well-informed policies.
Language skills for rewarding careers
at EU
To ensure the continued representation
level, the next generation of Irish graduates
roles
are encouraged to apply for permanent
—
within the EU. The opportunities are vast
in law, diplomacy, the environment, digital
gain
policy or economic reform. However, to
access, expertise in EU languages is essential.
with
along
language,
EU
Fluency in one
proûciency in at least one other, is required
for EU recruitment competitions. Without
d
a second EU language, many well-qualiûe
they
Irish candidates miss out on roles where
could thrive.
Pathways into EU leadership
A key opportunity approaches: the AD5
, one
Generalist Administrators competition
It
of the main routes into the EU civil service.
but
is open to graduates from all disciplines
one
languages;
EU
two
of
knowledge
requires
üuent, the other at B2 (upper-intermediate)
level. It9s a competitive process, but the
reward is a meaningful, rewarding career.
the
Ireland has already produced leaders at
that
highest levels of the EU, but to continue
up.
legacy, the next generation needs to step
As students plan their future, they are
language
With
encouraged to consider the EU.
a
play
can
they
skills, curiosity and ambition,
opportunity
an
—
future
real role in Europe9s
to make a meaningful difference not just
is
in Ireland, but across Europe. Support
available. The Irish Government is committed
to helping candidates succeed, with
resources, training and expert advice.
a career
Visit ireland.ie/eu-jobs to learn more about
the
in Europe and languagesconnect.ie to discover
benefits of learning foreign languages.
Thomas Byrne T.D.
Minister for
European Affairs
Entrepreneurship for life:
building mindsets, not just startups
resilient
Entrepreneurship education builds adaptable,
are
mindsets — beyond startups. Discover how initiatives
redefining lifelong learning through creativity, collaboration
and digital-age skills.
hen most people think of
entrepreneurship education, they
imagine business pitches, tech
startups and üashy prototypes.
Yet, the real value of entrepreneurship learning
It9s about
goes far beyond launching a company.
cultivating mindsets that help people adapt,
innovate and thrive in an uncertain world.
W
Entrepreneurial skills boost adaptability
The 8European Entrepreneurship Competence
Framework9 (EntreComp) deûnes this mindset
through a range of key skills: ûnancial literacy,
selfcreativity, collaboration, perseverance,
awareness, ethical behaviour and strategic
for
planning. These abilities lay the foundation
career,
resilience and opportunity-seeking in any
not just business creation.
This approach is gaining momentum in
Québec, Canada. As highlighted in the OECD9s
8Geography of Higher Education in Québec,9
nearly 50% of the province9s higher education
institutions now offer entrepreneurship
activities or programmes. These institutions
recognise the importance of developing
transferable skills like creativity and adaptability.
sought
These are qualities that are increasingly
after in today9s fast-changing economy.
At the University of Sherbrooke,
popular
entrepreneurship education is especially
among doctoral and post-doctoral students,
most of whom will pursue careers outside
academia. As digital transformation reshapes
technologies
through
industries, particularly
like artiûcial intelligence, the demand for
entrepreneurial skills is growing rapidly.
Mindset can be more valuable than formal training
Data from the upcoming 2025 OECD 8Digital
for SMEs9 Survey shows that many small
often
businesses acquire digital skills informally,
through internet research and peer learning.
In such settings, an entrepreneurial mindset,
be more
resourceful, proactive and curious, can
training.
formal
valuable than
Importantly, this kind of education doesn9t
aim to turn everyone into a founder. It prepares
people to thrive in any context. The Covid-19
pandemic illustrated this clearly. Entire
to
industries were upended, and people had
paths.
pivot, reinvent their skill sets and ûnd new
that
Research from King9s College London found
better
those with entrepreneurial mindsets were
protect
and
ventures
able to adapt, sustain their
crisis.
the
their wellbeing during
Entrepreneurship enables lifelong learning
be seen
Entrepreneurship education, then, must
as a cornerstone of lifelong learning. It equips
are —
individuals to create value wherever they
service
whether in startups, nonproûts, public
constant
or established businesses. In a world of
It9s
change, that9s not just good education.
essential preparation for life.
Giorgia Ponti
Economist/Policy
Analyst, OECD
Sponsored by
Languages
Connect
Breaking the cycle and
building the future for
young people in Dublin
A tailored, responsive approach
To address these challenges, DSCP actively
engages with local DEIS secondary schools
service
throughout the academic year to identify
gaps and barriers to progression. In response
life
to school needs, its programmes include
coaching for Leaving Certiûcate Applied
students; grinds in core subjects; and study
to
skills workshops. All initiatives are designed
address educational disadvantage and increase
progression.
work
Summer Employment Series: skills for life and
In Spring 2025, senior cycle students from
for
targeted DEIS schools were invited to register
the Summer Employment Series. This initiative
and
aims to build young people9s conûdence
all
readiness for life after school. DSCP covers
training,
costs for practical, employment-focused
including barista training; customer service
skills; and manual handling.
These courses provide young people with
while
s
tangible employment opportunitie
helping them develop key life skills. Participants
will also beneût from broader supports,
team
including access to our SICAP employment
our
and connections with employers through
dedicated Employer Engagement Officer.
Sponsored by
Dublin South City Partnership
Find out more at
dublinsouthcitypartnership.ie
Patricia Peñalosa
Policy Analyst,
Regional Labour Policy,
OECD
Place-based skills strategies are essential
in their structure,
Local labour markets vary dramatically
training policies
vulnerabilities and capacity to adapt. Yet,
This mismatch
are often designed at the national level.
weakens their impact.
The OECD9s Job Creation and Local Economic
need for
Development report highlights the growing
programmes.
place-sensitive upskilling and reskilling
tailored support
Regions facing industrial decline need
This
to shift workers into new, sustainable industries.
green
from
means aligning training with local assets,
services.
manufacturing to rural health care to digital
s
Compétence
les
dans
ents
France9s Plan d9Investissem
low-skilled
(PIC) channels EUR 15 billion into training
. Half of this
youth and the long-term unemployed
to local labour
supports regional programmes tailored
supporting green
needs, with public-private partnerships
transition roles.
Early action reduces long-term costs
are costly.
Industrial transitions take time, but delays
lags labourOECD analysis shows that when training
and skills
market needs, regions risk long-term stagnation
could face tighter
regions
OECD
of
72%
2042,
By
shortages.
underlining the
labour markets due to demographic shifts,
education and
urgency of early investment in vocational
digital access.
national and
Canada9s Future Skills Centre offers both
skills, AI and the
regional programmes focused on digital
action and local
green transition. Its emphasis on early
tailoring offers a model for others.
From recovery to resilience
across
Delivering effective training requires coordination Local
providers.
governments, employers and education
üexible funding
skills councils, employer-led hubs and
capacity to act.
models work best when regions have the
of the few tools
Upskilling isn9t a silver bullet, but it9s one
and support
that can boost productivity, reduce inequality
and embedded in
the green transition — if rooted in place
wider regional strategies.
about supporting lifelong learning
in the workplace. The relationship
can grow when they realise we have
research and innovation strengths
in other areas. Over a longer period,
our individual interactions and
collaborations develop into long-term
partnerships.=
Why ‘enterprise
engagement’ is about
universities listening —
not lecturing
have the
Connections between enterprises and universities
these
potential to yield benefits for all. Managed correctly,
advantages.
partnerships for progress yield significant societal
hen we engage
with enterprise,
everybody wins,=
notes Professor
Irene Sheridan, Head of Extended
Campus at Munster Technological
University (MTU).
