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Investing in Your Most Valuable Asset: Find Out How Irish Medtech Skillnet, supported by Skillnet Ireland, is strengthening sterility assurance capability across the medtech sector

Irish Medtech Skillnet is supporting businesses of all sizes across Ireland’s medical technology and manufacturing sectors by delivering future-focused, industry-led upskilling programmes that address critical capability needs and strengthen Ireland’s global competitiveness.

A flagship example is the Master’s in End‑to‑End Sterility Assurance, Europe’s first programme of its kind. Designed in direct response to a clearly articulated industry skills gap, the programme was developed following extensive engagement led by Irish Medtech Skillnet with sterility assurance experts from SMEs, indigenous firms and multinational medtech companies. This ensured that industry knowledge, regulatory requirements and real‑world challenges were embedded throughout the curriculum.

The programme was developed through collaboration between Irish Medtech Skillnet, the Irish Medtech Association’s Sterility Forum, and Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Galway, with funding support for both development and delivery provided by Skillnet Ireland.

Sterility assurance is a critical component of the medical device product lifecycle. It encompasses the practices, processes and standards required to ensure devices are free from viable microorganisms, safeguarding patient safety while meeting stringent regulatory requirements in both EU and global markets.

The master’s programme was developed in collaboration with the Irish Medtech Sterility Forum and representatives from across the medtech sector, including Aerogen, Boston Scientific, DePuy Synthes, J&J, Medisize (Philips), Merit Medical, Medtronic and Teleflex.

Irish Medtech Skillnet’s mission is to support and strengthen Ireland’s position as a leading global medtech hub by developing the skills and capabilities of its workforce. Its programmes are developed for industry, by industry, with the network acting as a trusted conduit between business, academia and national skills policy through the Skillnet Ireland model. Upskilling supports span areas such as biocompatibility, regulatory compliance, health technology innovation, leadership, sustainability, machine learning and artificial intelligence.

Commenting on the development of the programme, Ann O’Connell, Head of Funded projects for Medtech & Engineering & Network Manager, Ibec Irish Medtech Skillnet Network Manager, said: “Irish Medtech Skillnet brought together expertise from across the medtech ecosystem, from SMEs to indigenous companies and multinationals, through the Irish Medtech Sterility Forum. Industry partners actively shaped the programme by outlining their current and future capability needs and contributing their practical knowledge. That collaboration, supported by Skillnet Ireland funding and delivered with ATU Galway, has been fundamental to the success of this Master’s.”

The Master’s in End‑to‑End Sterility Assurance provides learners with advanced knowledge of sterility assurance methodologies across diverse medical technology contexts. Delegates on the programme consistently report that the combination of industry‑led and academic expertise has significantly accelerated their capability development, enabling them to apply advanced sterility assurance principles with confidence and impact in their organisations.

Adding to this, Eoghan O'Faolain, Director of Irish Medtech, Ibec and sponsoring organisation of Irish Medtech Skillnet, highlighted the strategic value of the network:

“One of the core strengths of Ireland’s medtech sector is our ability to connect and mobilise our ecosystem to tackle shared challenges together. Irish Medtech Skillnet plays a pivotal role in this ecosystem, serving as a catalyst to rapidly develop and deploy specialised, world-class training, ensuring Ireland’s medtech workforce is positioned to navigate evolving emerging regulatory and technological standards”.

Sharon Higgins, Executive Director, Membership & Sectors, Ibec, emphasised the broader economic importance of how these programmes are supported: “The success of the Irish Medtech Skillnet demonstrates the value of Ireland’s enterprise-led model. To remain competitive during rapid technological change, we must build on this approach and empower industries to shape their own talent solutions. This also highlights the critical role of businesses in investing in the upskilling and reskilling of their workforce. As innovation accelerates, companies that prioritise continuous learning will be better positioned to adapt, grow and retain talent.”

Skillnet Ireland, through its Skillnet Business Networks and national initiatives, supports enterprise‑led training and lifelong learning for employees across Ireland’s economy.

Aoife O’Sullivan, Head of Network Development & Innovation at Skillnet Ireland, said: “Skillnet Ireland is committed to supporting enterprise through targeted, industry‑led upskilling. Irish Medtech Skillnet’s Master’s in End‑to‑End Sterility Assurance is a strong example of how collaboration between businesses, networks and higher education can build critical capability, enabling companies to innovate, remain competitive and meet evolving regulatory and technological demands.”

ENDS

About Irish Medtech Skillnet

Irish Medtech Skillnet supports businesses of all sizes in the medical technology and engineering sectors through the provision of subsidised upskilling programmes. The network’s mission is to further Ireland’s position as an emerging global medical technology hub by enhancing the specialised knowledge and skills of the talent base.

Collaborating with industry, the network design, develops and delivers responsive, bespoke and flexible training courses to address the ongoing needs of businesses. Irish Medtech Skillnet is promoted by the Irish Medtech Association, an Ibec business association. The Network is open to private enterprises in the medtech and engineering sectors.

About Skillnet Ireland Skillnet Ireland   

Skillnet Ireland is the national talent development agency of the Government of Ireland, responsible for advancing the competitiveness, productivity, and innovation of Irish businesses through enterprise-led talent development. Skillnet Ireland partners with 57 industry bodies, supporting over 24,000 businesses and more than 90,000 trainees annually, through its 70 Skillnet Business Networks and five National Initiatives, across most sectors and all regions in Ireland. 

Skillnet Ireland is funded from the National Training Fund through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. 

To learn more about Skillnet Ireland visit www.skillnetireland.ie          
Skillnet Business Network search tool: https://www.skillnetireland.ie/our-networks/        

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