Ireland’s renewable energy targets are increasingly defined not just by ambition, but by delivery. As solar projects grow in scale, complexity and pace, organisational capability and workforce skills are becoming critical determinants of whether projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to the standards expected by communities, investors and regulators.
Register for the webinar on the Solar Ireland website.
This webinar will explore how skills, leadership capability and organisational readiness directly influence renewable project outcomes across the solar value chain. Drawing on international experience and Ireland-specific insights, the session will examine where skills gaps are emerging, how they affect project delivery in practice, and what practical steps organisations can take to build capability at both technical and strategic levels.
The discussion will also highlight how coordinated skills planning, accredited training pathways and industry collaboration can support a more resilient delivery pipeline as Ireland works towards its 2030 solar targets.
This webinar forms part of Solar Skills, Solar Ireland’s national initiative to support training, upskilling and professional development across the solar sector.
– Aligning training with real project needs
– Supporting workforce development at pace and scale
12:50 – 13:00 Audience Q&A and close
Priscila Mc Geehan•Rakesh Maharaj•Mark RuaneOpen discussion with attendees and next steps under Solar Skills
Rakesh Maharaj
CEO, ARMSA Academy | Strategy Board Member, Global Solar Council of ARMSA Academy | Global Solar Council
Rakesh Maharaj is a systems thinker and global safety strategist with over 25 years of experience spanning energy, infrastructure, and utilities. As CEO of ARMSA Academy, he has led pioneering work in developing leadership and cross-border operational safety capability across solar, wind, and grid-scale projects in over 40 countries. His work has helped hundreds of renewable business leaders and professionals – from board directors to site managers – derisk projects, deploy capital efficiently, improve project delivery and reduce people and asset risk.
Rakesh is a founding contributor to the Global Solar Council’s Solar Training Standardisation Initiative (STSI), and currently leads its new Skills Task Force. Rakesh advises companies such as Masdar, Sonnedix, Bluefield Partners, Vestas, Cubico, Octopus Energy, and Schroders Greencoat. He is a regular contributor to Solar & Storage Live, Solar Quality Summit Europe, and RenewableUK forums, and works closely with regulators to shape solar-specific safety practices across the project lifecycle.
Mark Ruane
Head of Renewable Energy Skills at Green Tech Skillnet
Mark Ruane is a leading figure in Ireland’s renewable energy sector, serving as Head of Renewable Energy Skills at Wind Energy Ireland (WEI) and Network Manager for Green Tech Skillnet.
With his role focused on workforce development, Mark helps steer national efforts to build the skilled talent base required for Ireland’s expanding renewables industry.
Under his leadership, Green Tech Skillnet has driven the development of cutting-edge programmes across the full renewable energy workforce. These industry designed, first of their kind initiatives in Ireland support individuals from a wide range of professional backgrounds to transition into and advance within the sector.
He has been vocal about the urgent need for skills in areas like marine operations, environmental impact assessment, systems integration, and energy-storage technologies, especially as Ireland seeks to meet its climate and offshore-wind targets.
Through his work, Mark plays a key role in helping Ireland accelerate its transition to clean energy while ensuring the workforce is ready and able to deliver on those ambitions.
Priscila McGeehan
Director of Communications & Strategy at Solar Ireland
Priscila McGeehan is an experienced communications strategist with two decades in marketing, digital engagement, and public affairs. As Director of Communications & Strategy at Solar Ireland, she leads the organisation’s messaging, campaigns, and growth initiatives, championing solar as a cornerstone of Ireland’s clean energy future. Her background spans the insurance, finance, and hospitality sectors, bringing a unique perspective to her advocacy and storytelling.
