SOLAS

What SOLAS does

SOLAS is the statutory Further Education and Training (FET) Authority of Ireland, established in 2013 under the Further Education and Training Act 2013 as an agency of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. It is responsible for funding, planning, and coordinating Ireland's national FET system, overseeing a €1,087.2m annual budget of which 89.8% flows as grants to 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) that deliver programmes in every community nationwide. SOLAS's core programmes include apprenticeships (managed via the National Apprenticeship Office), traineeships, Skills to Advance, Skills to Compete, Adult Literacy for Life, eCollege online learning, and construction skills certification schemes (SafePass, CSCS, QSCS). In 2025 the system delivered 36,000 FET courses with 390,000+ core enrolments; Skills to Advance has delivered over 110,000 skills development opportunities since 2019.

SOLAS's technology platform consists of government digital learning infrastructure including eCollege (online courses of 14-24 weeks duration in CompTIA, Java, Microsoft certifications), AIReady.ie (free mobile-accessible AI skills platform launched April 2026 with courses under 20 minutes), and the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU) which provides national labour market analytics and skills forecasting. The organisation's revenue model is a single-stream government appropriation with no commercial pricing; programmes are free or subsidised to learners, with 700 community education groups receiving €5m in REACH Funding to support 50,000 educationally disadvantaged learners. Customer segments span adult learners, school leavers, early school leavers (Youthreach), prison populations (8,500+ beneficiaries across seven prisons), Traveller and Roma communities, Irish employers seeking workforce upskilling, and community education groups.

As a state agency, SOLAS does not generate commercial revenue or pursue equity funding; its operating model is a statutory monopoly on FET coordination within Ireland. Recent strategic moves include the February 2026 launch of FET AI micro-qualifications in partnership with Microsoft Ireland, the April 2026 launch of AIReady.ie, and the May 2026 launch of the FET Strategy 2026-2030. The organisation is led by CEO Deirdre McDonnell (appointed April 2025), with a Board chaired by Sean Aylward comprising 12 members (54% men, 46% women) including senior figures from Microsoft Ireland, Indeed, Iarnrod Eireann, Aontas, and Chadwicks Group.

Name

SOLAS

Legal name

SOLAS - The Further Education and Training Authority

Website

https://solas.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Short description

SOLAS is Ireland's statutory Further Education and Training Authority, coordinating a €1.087bn FET system through 16 Education and Training Boards serving 390,000+ learners annually. It funds apprenticeships, adult literacy, digital skills, AI upskilling, and construction certification across Ireland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Further Education and Training Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Computer Training (611420)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Systems & Skills Technical Assistance (BPADAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Vendor/Authorized Certification Training (Microsoft/AWS/Cisco, etc.) (BPAEANAA), Assessment, Certification & Qualifications Frameworks (BPADAKAL)

Keywords

• Further education training
• Vocational training programs
• Apprenticeship services
• Workforce upskilling
• Construction skills certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Dublin 1

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Others, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: SOLAS receives government funding to operate as Ireland's Further Education and Training Authority. Budget allocation: 89.8% grants to ETBs, 2.9% grants to other organisations, 2.5% staff pay and overheads, 1.5% programme costs, 3.3% pension costs. Overall budget €1,087.2m.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SOLAS is the Irish state agency that funds, plans, and coordinates the national Further Education and Training (FET) sector. It allocates government funding to 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) that deliver vocational courses, apprenticeships, traineeships, adult literacy, digital skills, and construction safety certification (Safe Pass, CSCS, QSCS) to over 390,000 learners annually. It also operates the eCollege online learning platform, AIReady.ie AI skills platform, and Skills to Advance workforce upskilling programmes targeting employers and employees.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Skills To Advance: Government-funded upskilling initiative delivering AI and digital skills training through Education and Training Boards
• Skills To Compete
• Safe Pass
• CSCS
• QSCS
• Apprenticeship
• eCollege
• Adult Literacy for Life
• REACH Fund
• AIReady.ie

Products and services

• National Apprenticeship System A national demand-driven apprenticeship system managed by SOLAS through the National Apprenticeship Office, connecting employers with learners for workplace-based and classroom-based programmes that award QQI Advanced Certificates. Available across construction, electrical, plumbing, healthcare, and other sectors for both employers and apprentices.
• eCollege Online Learning Platform An online learning platform operated by SOLAS offering high-quality interactive courses typically taking 14-24 weeks, including CompTIA Network+, Mobile Technology, Java Professional Developer and Microsoft certifications, with optional e-tutor support. Targeted at adult learners seeking IT and digital skills qualifications.
• Skills to Advance A government-funded upskilling initiative delivering AI and digital skills training through Education and Training Boards, targeting Irish employees and businesses. Over 110,000 skills development opportunities have been provided since 2019, with focus on AI upskilling for over 900,000 people needing AI skills.
• Skills to Compete FET programme focused on skills development to enhance competitiveness of Irish workers in the labour market. Delivered through Education and Training Boards.
• Safe Pass A Health and Safety Awareness Training Programme and certification card required for construction workers in Ireland, operated exclusively by SOLAS as part of its national construction skills certification schemes.
• CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) A national Construction Skills Certification Scheme for craft operatives, managed by SOLAS to verify skills and qualifications of construction workers in Ireland.
• QSCS (Quarrying Skills Certification Scheme) A national Quarrying Skills Certification Scheme managed by SOLAS to certify skills and safety competence of workers in the quarrying sector.
• Traineeship FET traineeship programmes combining structured workplace learning with classroom-based instruction, delivered through 16 Education and Training Boards to equip learners with industry-specific skills.
• Adult Literacy for Life A 10-year cross-Government strategy and service delivery programme launched in 2021 addressing adult literacy, numeracy, and digital literacy needs in Ireland, with a 14% adult participation rate achieved by Q4 2023. Targets the 1 in 4 adults in Ireland who struggle with maths and nearly 1 in 2 adults lacking basic digital skills.
• AIReady.ie A free AI skills training online platform launched in April 2026 by SOLAS in partnership with the National Skills Council, offering courses that take under 20 minutes to complete on phone, tablet, or laptop. Accessible to all adults nationwide as part of Ireland's national AI skills initiative.
• FET Micro-Qualifications in AI New FET micro-qualifications in Artificial Intelligence launched in February 2026 in partnership with Microsoft Ireland, covering machine learning basics, ethical AI, data analysis, and practical business use cases. Delivered through Ireland's 16 Education and Training Boards and accredited by QQI at NFQ Levels 5 and 6.
• REACH Fund A funding programme supporting community education groups to reach educationally disadvantaged learners across Ireland, with €5m allocated via ETBs to 700 community groups serving 50,000 disadvantaged learners.
• FET Courses for School Leavers Over 1,500 Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) and vocational courses at NFQ levels 5 and 6 available for school leavers after the Leaving Certificate, delivered through 16 Education and Training Boards across Ireland.
• Green Skills 2030 First National FET Strategy for the Green Transition, addressing green economy skills needs and preparing the workforce for sustainability-related employment across Irish industries.

Quantifiable outcome

• 17% growth in FET learner base from 2022 to 2023
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Skills CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2026SOLAS developed AIReady.ie in partnership with the National Skills Council, the government's new AI skills website offering free AI training to the public. The platform was launched by Minister James Lawless as part of national digital and AI ambitions.
• Microsoft IrelandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 February 2026Microsoft Ireland collaborated with SOLAS to develop new FET micro-qualifications in Artificial Intelligence launched by Minister Lawless. The programmes focus on machine learning basics, ethical AI, data analysis, and practical business use cases, delivered through Ireland's 16 Education and Training Boards.
• Enterprise IrelandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 October 2024SOLAS and Enterprise Ireland launched a partnership to strengthen local enterprise through upskilling opportunities, supporting businesses to access FET programmes for workforce development.
• Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and SciencecoreOthers · 15 October 2024SOLAS is an agency of the Department, accountable to the Minister. The FET Strategy 2026-2030 was launched jointly by Ministers Lawless and Harkin. Micro-qualifications and AI initiatives developed in coordination with the Department.
• Deloitte IrelandminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2024SOLAS launched a report in partnership with Deloitte Ireland to support enterprise with skills needed to thrive in a green economy.
• Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU) PartnersminorOthersSLMRU analysis supports National Skills Council, Regional Skills Fora, Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, and other government bodies with labour market intelligence and skills forecasting.
• Irish Prison ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSOLAS organises prison education services in partnership with the Irish Prison Service. Over 8,500 beneficiaries across seven Dublin prisons in 2018, with approximately 700 courses and 60% offering formal accreditation.
• Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI)minorOthersESRI conducted independent evaluation of Youthreach programme, published by SOLAS. Research partnership providing evidence for programme effectiveness and recommendations.
• Fáilte IrelandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration between SOLAS/SLMRU and Fáilte Ireland on Hospitality Skills report examining employment trends and tourism careers in the hospitality sector.
• Offaly Traveller MovementminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSOLAS supported launch of Ireland's first Traveller-specific pre-apprenticeship programme by Offaly Traveller Movement in partnership with Laois & Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB).
• QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland)minorOthersFET micro-qualifications are accredited by QQI at Levels 5 and 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications. Apprenticeship programmes award QQI Advanced Certificates.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA): UK government agency responsible for funding education and training for children, young people, and adults. Comparable to SOLAS as a state funding authority that distributes government money to training providers and oversees further education and skills programmes nationally.
• Skills Development Scotland: Scotland's national skills body, funded by the Scottish Government, that funds and coordinates training delivery across the country. Directly comparable to SOLAS in mandate (national skills coordination), funding model (government grants), and delivery network (regional training providers).
• TAFE NSW: Australia's largest vocational education provider, government-owned and operated, delivering nationally accredited courses across technical and trade disciplines. Comparable to SOLAS as a publicly funded technical/vocational education provider operating at national scale with multi-channel delivery.
• Tertiary Education Commission (New Zealand): New Zealand's Crown entity responsible for tertiary education funding and quality assurance. Directly comparable to SOLAS in coordinating post-secondary vocational and technical training, allocating government funding, and overseeing the network of training providers.

Broad incumbents

• City & Guilds: UK-established global vocational skills certification body offering accredited qualifications across 30+ industries. Comparable to SOLAS in delivering and certifying vocational training, particularly construction skills (CSCS-equivalent schemes), apprenticeship standards, and employer-aligned technical qualifications.
• Education and Training Foundation (UK): UK charity supporting the further education and training sector through professional development, research, and policy advocacy. Comparable to SOLAS in supporting workforce capability within the further education sector, albeit as a UK-wide support body rather than a state funding authority.

Others

• Higher Education Authority (Ireland): Ireland's statutory agency for higher education funding and policy, sister agency to SOLAS within the same Department. Comparable as the higher education counterpart handling university funding and system oversight, addressing the tertiary education segment that SOLAS does not serve.
• Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Ireland): SOLAS's parent government department that sets policy direction, oversees strategy (FET Strategy 2026-2030), and provides ministerial accountability. Comparable as the sovereign entity to which SOLAS reports and from which it derives its statutory authority and budget.
• Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI): Ireland's national qualifications and quality assurance agency that accredits SOLAS's FET programmes and apprenticeship awards at NFQ Levels 5 and 6. Comparable as an Irish education authority with statutory remit over certification standards, directly interfacing with SOLAS's programme portfolio.

Regional players

• Aontas: Irish national adult learning organisation that advocates for and researches adult education, with Dearbháil Lawless (a SOLAS Board member) serving as its CEO. Comparable to SOLAS in the Irish adult education space, with Aontas operating as the advocacy/research counterpart to SOLAS's funding and coordination role.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about SOLAS