A first for the Midlands with the official launch of the ReSHAPE platform, at the Innovation & Collaboration Space at Technological University of the Shannon, Athlone Campus.
ReSHAPE (Regional Skills Horizon and Pathways to Employment) represents a major step forward in how regions understand, plan and invest in workforce skills. The newly launched platform is an AI-enabled skills intelligence ecosystem designed to connect individuals, employers and training providers, and delivering real-time insight into the skills needs of the regional economy.
Built on the European ESCO skills framework and powered by advanced analytics, the ReSHAPE platform enables:
• Dynamic skills auditing and benchmarking
• AI-driven career pathway recommendations
• Employer-aligned workforce mapping
• Regional skills gap visibility
• Data-driven planning for policy and investment
Benefits for the Midlands extend to industry, education and training providers and regional agencies and policy makes. For industry, it provides clarity for workforce planning. For education and training providers, it ensures learning aligns with real demand. For regional agencies and policymakers, it provides the intelligence needed to support sustainable economic growth.
The launch event was hosted by Colette Fitzpatrick, with opening remarks from Professor Vincent Cunnane, President of Technological University of the Shannon. In his address, Professor Cunnane highlighted the critical role of universities as anchor institutions within regional economies. He spoke about the importance of deep collaboration between higher education, industry and regional stakeholders in building the skills infrastructure needed for the future workforce.
The event also featured a panel discussion exploring the future of skills intelligence and workforce development with Stephen Kelly of Midland Steel Reinforcement Supplies, Aisling Nolan of Mergon Group, Dr Fiona Boyle of MTU and Dr Niall Colgan of the Technological University of the Shannon. Together, they brought perspectives from industry, research and education on how data-driven skills intelligence can strengthen regional competitiveness and support the workforce of the future.
ReSHAPE has been developed through collaboration between Technological University of the Shannon, Athlone Campus (TUS), Munster Technological University (MTU) and the University of Limerick (UL), supported through the EU Just Transition Fund, and represents a new model for how regions can plan for talent, skills and opportunity.
For more information, visit ReSHAPE
