An AI project developed for the Midlands region has the potential to become a blueprint for the future of nationwide workforce planning, according to an independent economic impact assessment.
A report by Indecon Economic Consultants highlighted the ability of ReSHAPE — the Regional Skills Horizon and Pathways to Employment initiative — to help employers identify skills gaps, retain talented employees and connect workforces with personalised learning opportunities through artificial intelligence.
ReSHAPE, delivered by Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), Munster Technological University (MTU) and University of Limerick (UL), is designed to support communities across Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath by creating clearer pathways between existing skills, future career development opportunities and regional workforce needs.
The Indecon assessment report found that ReSHAPE has already delivered significant economic and social impact across the Midlands while also developing a skills intelligence platform with the potential to create a lasting legacy beyond the lifetime of the project.
Key findings from the independent report include:
- €4.15 million investment in ReSHAPE generated an estimated €7 million in economic impact.
- 98 enterprises were supported through the programme.
- Participating companies represent an estimated 6,000–8,000 direct jobs across the region.
- 2,064 learners were supported through fully funded upskilling and reskilling opportunities.
- Employees from approximately 80 Midlands companies engaged with ReSHAPE.
- 82% of company-linked learners said ReSHAPE supports productivity improvements.
- 72% said ReSHAPE helped them remain living and working in the Midlands region.
ReSHAPE brings together employers, learners and education providers through a digital platform that analyses users’ qualifications, work history and existing experience to identify current and transferable skills. It then recommends personalised learning pathways, ranging from one-day courses, short micro-credentials and professional certificates to part-time and full-time higher education programmes, helping individuals and employers close identified skills gaps.
For employers, the platform provides valuable workforce intelligence, helping identify existing capabilities, anticipate future skills needs and create pathways to develop existing employees rather than replace them.
ReSHAPE is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund Programme 2021–2027. The platform creates a connected ecosystem where education providers, employers and learners share the same skills intelligence, ensuring training provision is aligned with real workforce demand.
The report also highlights the ReSHAPE platform’s use of artificial intelligence alongside the European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations (ESCO) framework to create a common skills language between employers, education providers and learners.
Carmel Halligan, Programme Manager, TUS, said the independent findings demonstrate the importance of creating new approaches to lifelong learning and workforce development:
“ReSHAPE was developed to address one of the biggest challenges facing employers and workers across Ireland, ensuring people have the skills they need for the jobs of today and tomorrow, while giving organisations the tools to develop and retain the talent they already have. The independent Indecon assessment provides strong third-party validation of both the impact ReSHAPE is already delivering across the Midlands and its potential to become a new model for workforce planning. By combining artificial intelligence with education and industry insight, ReSHAPE is helping to build a more resilient, adaptable and future-ready workforce for the Midlands, with the potential for this model to be replicated nationally and internationally.“
Geraldine O’Sullivan, ReSHAPE Project Manager, MTU, added:
“In today’s labour market, where retaining skilled employees is just as important as recruiting them, ReSHAPE helps employers understand the capabilities within their workforce, identify future skills gaps and connect staff with personalised learning pathways that support both career progression and business growth. The strength of ReSHAPE is the connection it creates. Individuals can better understand their own skills and opportunities for development, employers can identify future capability needs, and education providers can respond with targeted training pathways. ReSHAPE has developed a platform and partnership model that can continue to support skills development long into the future.”
Rosaleen Archbold, ReSHAPE Co-ordinator and Pathways+ Project Manager, UL, said:
“At UL, we see lifelong learning as central to economic competitiveness and social inclusion. ReSHAPE provides a practical framework for connecting people with relevant upskilling and reskilling opportunities while helping employers build the workforce capabilities required for future growth.”
The platform is now live at ReSHAPE.ie, with hundreds already using it to map their skills, explore career progression opportunities and access personalised learning recommendations. Employers across the Midlands are also engaging with the platform to support workforce planning and skills development.