Cara Partners announces €6m, three-year upskilling programme at Cork facility

Wednesday 27 May 2026

Cara Partners, wholly owned by the Schwabe Group, has announced a significant training and development initiative designed to upskill employees and support a step-change in capability across its Little Island facility.

Aim of enhancing multi-product capability

The €6m programme will run over three years, with the aim of enhancing multi-product capability, strengthening technical and operational skills, and building leadership and change-management capacity to support continued growth.

Enterprise minister Peter Burke said: “Investment in skills and leadership capability is essential to maintaining Ireland’s competitiveness as a global location for advanced manufacturing. This significant programme at Cara Partners demonstrates how continued upskilling supports productivity, sustainability and long term employment, with the backing of Government through IDA Ireland.”

Cara Partners has operated in Little Island since 1978 and forms part of the Schwabe Group, headquartered in Karlsruhe, Germany, a global provider of natural health solutions including plant-based medicines.

Training will be delivered in collaboration with a range of academic and professional partners, including the Irish Management Institute, IBEC Academy, University College Cork, Munster Technological University, Irish Manufacturing Research, Trinity College Dublin, and Skillnet.

VP API Europe Schwabe Group Stephen Kenny said: “As part of our commitment to continuous growth and excellence, we are investing in a comprehensive training initiative designed to strengthen our operations and technical capabilities. This programme will support higher productivity and operational efficiency as our site continues to expand. We are also focused on developing future leaders through structured leadership development, succession planning, and cross-training opportunities.

Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland, said: “Cara Partners’ commitment to upskilling and leadership development strengthens the capability of its Cork site and underpins its future growth in the region. IDA Ireland’s strategy places a strong focus on human capital, ensuring companies can build resilience, enhance productivity and support sustained regional growth.”

The initiative will support enhanced multi-product and technical capability at the site, driving productivity and operational efficiency as it continues to grow. It will also focus on developing future leadership through structured development, succession planning and cross training, with sustainability and skills development embedded throughout the programme.