All-island labour market conference held in Dundalk

^{Above: Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor representatives - Damien McConville, DBEC Programme Manager; Anthony Soares Director, Centre for Cross Border Cooperation; Elaine McAlinden, DBEC Partnership Officer; Thomas McEvoy, Director of Services, Louth County Council; and Cllr Robert Nash, Louth County Council}

The Centre for Cross Border Cooperation (CCBC) hosted its All-Island Labour Market: Challenges and Opportunities conference in Dundalk on Thursday 18 September. The event brought together employers, workers’ representatives, and business support organisations to examine the future of the labour market across the island.

Dr Anthony Soares, Director at the Centre for Cross Border Cooperation which hosted the conference, said: “Our expert speakers addressed a wide range of issues affecting labour mobility, including the cross-border recognition of skills and qualifications, tax and pension reform, workers’ rights, and the need for accessible information and independent support.”

Dr Soares highlighted how the conference showcased both the progress already being made in cross-border cooperation and the untapped potential that remains within the region.

He also emphasised the Centre’s ongoing call for an official definition of frontier workers within the all-island context. Establishing such a definition, he argued, would enable policymakers to design targeted solutions that recognise the unique circumstances of these workers while ensuring that employers can access the skills they need to grow and compete.

Speaking on behalf of the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor, one of the conference’s co-headline sponsors, Cllr Robert Nash, Chair of Dundalk Municipal District, said: “DBEC was delighted to support this conference and contribute to vital discussions on skills and labour mobility, a shared concern across the island.

"The event provided an important forum to identify gaps in the skills ecosystem affecting both the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor’s growth and the wider all-island economy. Discussions also highlighted the challenges faced by people living in one jurisdiction and working across the border in the other, reinforcing the need for continued collaboration to unlock the region’s full economic potential.”

Paul Hannigan, VP for Cross Border Engagement at Atlantic Technological University (ATU), part of the North West Tertiary Education Cluster, the conference’s other co-headline sponsor, added: “The North West Tertiary Education (NWTEC) partners, ATU, Ulster University, North West Regional College and Donegal Education and Training Board were delighted to support the Centre for Cross Border Cooperation’s Annual Conference.

"We see the CCBC as a key partner in breaking down the barriers to achieving greater economic prosperity for our cross border region. NWTEC aligned with key stakeholders in the region has the potential to establish the North West City Region as a significant growth centre for Ireland and Northern Ireland on a European and global stage.”

The conference keynote speaker was Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA, Minister for the Economy, who said: “I was delighted to join the Centre for Cross Border Cooperation to discuss how we advance a more inclusive, skilled and connected all-island economy.

"The recent All-Island Labour Market Study provides us with a fundamental base to better understand the challenges of cross-border employment, as well as the opportunities. My department continues to build on these opportunities, with programmes such as Assured Skills Academies, Skills Focus, and InnovateUs, all helping people across the North gain new skills, while our colleges and universities continue to work with partners in the South. 

"The conference discussions reaffirmed the critical role of collaboration in tackling our shared challenges and unlocking opportunity for workers across the island.”

Colin McCabrey, Director of Trade at InterTradeIreland, added: “The positive cross-border economic landscape presents a strong foundation for future growth. Continued collaboration to enhance education and employment mobility is essential to fulfilling policy commitments across the island and driving long-term, sustainable productivity.”

Joining North West Tertiary Education Cluster and Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor as event sponsors were Accounting Technicians Ireland, Dublin City University, Dundalk Institute of Technology, EPIC Futures NI, InterTradeIreland, Irish Business and Employers Confederation (Ibec), Queen’s University Belfast and Southern Regional College. 

Further information about the work of the Centre for Cross Border Cooperation can be found online at www.crossborder.ie