The Skills Insight Note is the first in EGFSN’s Skills Insights 2026 series.
The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) has recently published a new ‘Skills Insight Note’ entitled Cross Border Skills and Similarities between Ireland and Northern Ireland. The study examines the labor markets of both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, with a particular focus on cross-border workers, industry employment trends, education information and the prioritization of shared skills.
Research – the first in EGFSN’s Skills Insights series for 2026 – identified strong similarities between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, including continued reliance on key sectors, such as manufacturing, health and education, and a shared policy focus on future-oriented skills in areas such as digitalisation, the green economy and apprenticeships.
Welcoming the information, Minister for Business, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke, TD noted the importance of gaining an understanding of how the two areas can work together effectively.
“This Skills Insight Note provides a critical analysis of labor market links and shared challenges between Ireland and Northern Ireland. The findings underline the importance of collaboration in skills development, particularly as both economies adapt to technological and demographic change.
“Understanding these cross-border changes strengthens our ability to effectively plan for business growth, employment and long-term competitiveness.”
Migration figures, particularly from Northern Ireland to the Republic, have also been found to have increased significantly over the past 10 years. Research has shown that this reflects opportunities in the labor market and shared economic power.
Minister of State with special responsibility for Trade Promotion, AI and Digital Transformation Niamh Smyth, TD said: “The findings clearly show the strong links that exist across the two sectors, including prioritizing shared skills, industry strengths and growing levels of cross-border travel.
“This research highlights how interconnected our labor markets are and the opportunities that exist to address shared skills challenges through collaboration and integrated policy approaches.”
Late last year, a new €9.85 million cross-border project was launched aimed at tackling serious public health challenges in Belfast. I a four-year OneHealth project is a health and life sciences partnership that will use AI and digital health approaches to address pressing health and nutrition challenges in agriculture.
The program is led by the science and technology center Catalyst in partnership with Atlantic Technology University, Queen’s University Belfast, Health Innovation Research Alliance Northern Ireland, Tyndall National Institute Cork and the University of Galway.
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