One in five women plan to retrain or upskill in the next three years

Women across Ireland are driving a national shift towards retraining and returning to work, according to new research commissioned by Forus Training.

The study, carried out by Opinions.ie on behalf of Forus Training in September 2025, surveyed a nationally representative sample of 892 adults aged 25 and over. It found that one in five women plan to retrain or upskill in the next three years, while almost a quarter have already changed career direction.

The findings reveal that women are eager to learn new skills but face three major barriers — cost, time and confidence. Seven in ten respondents believe hands-on experience matters more than a university degree, signalling a move towards practical, career-led education over traditional academic routes.

Launching the Return & Reskill campaign in Mullingar, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke TD said upskilling and retraining are vital to Ireland’s competitiveness and growth. “Upskilling and retraining are essential if Ireland is to remain competitive in a rapidly changing economy,” he said. 

“There are thousands of women ready to return to work or change direction, and flexible training routes like Forus’s Return & Reskill campaign help make that possible in every region.” Lisa O’Connell, Managing Director of Forus Training, said the campaign is about removing barriers and rebuilding confidence for women who want to return to the workforce.

“The women we work with are motivated and capable, but confidence is often the missing ingredient,” she said. “Our courses are designed to fit around family and life commitments.

They’re fully online, so learners can study from home and progress at their own pace. It’s about giving women practical routes back into work, not just encouragement.”

The Return & Reskill campaign encourages women of all ages to take the next step in their careers through affordable online training that fits around real life. All Forus courses are QQI accredited and delivered online, allowing learners to study from anywhere in Ireland and complete modules in their own time.

Forus Training delivers programmes across health, business and technology, supporting thousands of adults each year to gain qualifications, upskill or change career.