Landmark L&D Skillnet ‘Skills-First’ Report Recognised by Leading International Journal

L&D Skillnet has achieved a major milestone with the publication of its landmark report, ‘Skills-First: An Emerging Approach to Managing Human Resources for the New World of Work’, in the prestigious US-based journal Organizational Dynamics. 

First published in July 2023, the report offers timely insights into the evolving landscape of Human Resources (HR) and talent development. It calls for a shift towards a "skills-first" approach in HR to address growing talent shortages and future-proof organisations. Skills-first HR puts skills at the forefront of an organisation's HR strategy. The study reveals that many businesses are not adequately prepared to close emerging skills gaps and must urgently align workforce capabilities with strategic business goals. 

Sinead Heneghan, CEO of the Learning and Development Institute and Network Promoter of L&D Skillnet, welcomed the international recognition, saying: “We are very proud that our collaboration with Skillnet Ireland brought this research to life. There was no comprehensive research available on the emerging area of skills-first HR before our report. The timing was crucial and since its publication, we’ve seen significant momentum build around this approach.” 

The study, co-authored by Professor David Collings (Trinity College Dublin) and Dr John McMackin (Dublin City University), found that developing employee skills and capabilities is now the number one priority for HR leaders. 

Commenting on the journal publication, Professor David Collings said: “I’m delighted to see this new piece co-authored with John McMackin on skills-first HR published in Organizational Dynamics. It provides a road map for firms considering the introduction of skills-based approaches to HR. Thank you to Skillnet Ireland and the Learning & Development Institute (L&DI), particularly Sinead Heneghan for the support of the research.” 

“Organizational Dynamics is a US-based OB/HRM Journal with a mission to provide new and practical insights that link leading-edge thought and research with management practice that is written in a style that is engaging for managers and students in executive education and MBA programmes. As someone with an interest in all aspects of this mission it is a particular pleasure to have an article on skills-first HR accepted for publication in a special issue of this journal on ‘The Future of Global Talent’," Dr John McMackin added.  

The ‘Skills-First’ report acknowledges that while skills-first HR is still in its early stages, the movement is gaining momentum. According to 2024 research by education support services firm Udemy, 85% of companies are now actively considering how to implement skills-based processes to remain competitive and relevant. Ms Heneghan said these findings further demonstrate the growing trend toward the skills-first approach, enabling businesses to be more “agile and responsive to change”.   

“With rapid digitalisation, the rise of AI, climate change, and global uncertainty, companies must be able to pivot quickly,” she said. “Businesses need access to flexible, short form learning solutions that align with strategic goals and enable real-time upskilling - empowering them to quickly develop talent and fill emerging roles across the organisation." 

Building on the momentum of the report, L&D Skillnet launched its Skills-Based Organisation: 'The How-To' programme. This programme provides HR and L&D leaders with a practical framework to implement skills-based strategies in their organisations. Participants learn how to align skills development with business goals and gain the confidence to lead their organisations through this transformation. 

The Organizational Dynamics publication marks the second time that research from L&D Skillnet has been recognised in a major international journal. In 2021, the Network’s ‘Enabling the Workforce of the Future: The Role of Learning and Development’ study was published in the Sloan MIT Management Review. 

“It is an extraordinary legacy that two pieces of research have been published on a global stage and will be available to people all over the world,” Ms Heneghan added. "The ‘Skills-First’ report and our ‘The How To’ programme provide a blueprint for business and now is the time for enterprises to join the movement and embrace the growing international consensus that a skills-first approach is no longer optional - it’s essential.” 

The full Ireland’s Talent Landscape 2025: Future Skills Challenges of Irish Business report is available to view, here.