Oran Doherty

Background

About Oran Doherty

With over 15 years’ experience in senior management roles focusing on education, skills development, and industry-education collaborations, I am very passionate about designing training and education solutions that address the changing world of work. Since 2019, I have been employed by Ibec, Ireland’s leading employer representative organisation, where I initially served as the National Programme Manager for the highly successful Apprenticeship in Retail Supervision programme. In my current role as Head of Retail Ireland Skillnet, I lead national initiatives aimed at enhancing the skills of the retail sector and supporting organisations in their upskilling efforts. I have published several sectoral skills reports that examine the future skills needed across various industries and explore best practices for work-based learning partnerships. These reports have been instrumental for both industry leaders and educational institutions in the design and review of training and education programmes. I have had the privilege of presenting as a keynote speaker at numerous conferences across Europe, addressing topics such as industry-education collaboration, talent optimisation, organisational culture, the accreditation of workplace learning, and the future of work. I have also participated in various EU skills development projects, where I have contributed to the creation of innovative work-based learning frameworks. Recently, I have worked closely with Irish and European educational institutions to design and implement bespoke programmes that employ cutting-edge approaches to curriculum design, delivery, and assessment. I have also delivered change management programmes across diverse sectors, supporting them in driving organisational improvement and innovation. I completed my Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) at Northumbria University in 2017. My research focused on how work-based learning partnerships between education providers and private employers can be enhanced through a deeper understanding of organisational culture and change management. The study produced actionable recommendations and a framework to support organisations undergoing change. Additionally, I have provided masterclasses on the development, delivery, assessment, and coordination of apprenticeship programmes and other work-based learning programmes. I have presented at high-profile conferences, including those hosted by the European Union (2024), OECD (2024), and MIT (2023), on topics related to the future of work, skills transformation, and innovative education models.