The emergence of new roles and portfolios such as a Brexit policy researcher, for example, is evident across the board as a means for companies to remain in touch with what the government is planning, how the negotiations between the EU and the UK are playing out and where organisations can access supports. In addition, we are seeing an increase in demand of skilled consultants who have customs/trade and policy knowledge as businesses, trade, and member associations look to ensure that they are as prepared as they can be to ensure that everyone is ‘Brexit ready.’
It is also noteworthy from an L&D perspective that Ibec’s Budget 2020 Submission includes a call for the introduction of a ‘short-time work subsidy scheme’ to allow ‘vulnerable workers’ to engage in part-time training or re-training. Irish SMEs also clearly recognise the importance of L&D in a post-Brexit environment; despite the uncertainty of Brexit, 43% of SMEs who were polled in Bibby Financial Services’ SME Confidence Tracker for Q3 2018 said that ‘staff training and development’ would be their top area for investment in Q4 2018.
What some may call a ‘rebirth’ of near obsolete sectors of the economy is imminent. One such industry is that of customs and the redevelopment of Irish ports and ensuring supply chains effective functioning. L&D will be necessary here when ensuring Ireland has a readily skilled workforce to fill this employment gap.
The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs’ 2018 Report highlighted the central role that L&D must play and recommended that ‘additional customs awareness and higher- level customs clearance training and advice for third country trading’ be made available to Irish businesses. In response
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to the Report, a ‘Brexit Skills Implementation Development Group’ was set up by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation to ensure that this and other recommendations are implemented. Furthermore, the importance of L&D in helping Irish businesses face the challenges posed by Brexit has also been recognised by organisations such as Skillnet Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, who recently launched the ‘Clear Customs Initiative’ to support businesses’ awareness of the key customs concepts, documentation and processes they will need to be familiar with in the aftermath of Brexit. Similarly, InterTradeIreland has established an online portal called Brexit and Beyond in order to provide SMEs with ‘free, accurate and independent information’ as they plan for a post-Brexit trading environment. Furthermore, Local Enterprise Offices across the country will be holding Brexit: Prepare Your Business for Customs Workshops in advance of the Brexit deadline.
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43% of SMEs said ‘staff training and development’ would be their top area for investment in Q4 2018
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As previously highlighted, while growth in certain sectors is predicted to be hampered by Brexit, the converse is true for other parts of the Irish economy. The technology sector has been singled out as one industry which has the potential to reap rewards from Brexit. It is unlikely that multinationals operating in Britain will leave without trace, they may, in order to access a wider pool of European talent, relocate some of their operations to within EU law boundaries, and in particular English-speaking countries like Ireland.
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