Premier Skills Institute Officially Launches in Thurles
The launch event welcomed many of Ireland’s most influential veterinary professionals
Premier Skills Institute, a new centre dedicated to professional development and lifelong learning for veterinary professionals, was officially launched recently at a special event held at the Duggan Veterinary Group headquarters in Thurles.
The launch event welcomed many of Ireland’s most influential veterinary professionals, bringing together practitioners, educators, and industry leaders to celebrate the beginning of an ambitious new chapter in veterinary education.
The official ribbon-cutting ceremony was performed by Donal Duggan Senior, marking the formal opening of the Institute and highlighting the Duggan family’s longstanding commitment to supporting the veterinary profession.
Premier Skills Institute has evolved from Duggan Veterinary CPD Education, which for many years provided continuing professional development to veterinary professionals across Ireland and the UK. The newly established institute now operates as an independent company within the Duggan Veterinary Group, reflecting a renewed ambition to expand its educational reach and develop a world-class centre of excellence for veterinary skills development.
As part of a group that has supported the veterinary sector for over four decades, Premier Skills Institute combines deep industry expertise with a forward-thinking approach to training. The Institute’s mission is to empower veterinary professionals with the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills needed to deliver exceptional animal care.
The organisation’s foundation lies in Duggan Veterinary Group’s longstanding commitment to supporting the profession beyond products and logistics. Recognising the growing need for high-quality, accessible, and practice-ready training, the CPD division was originally created to deliver education aligned with real-world veterinary challenges.
Brian O’Callaghan, Group Marketing & Communications Manager at Duggan Veterinary Group, said the launch reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to supporting the veterinary profession beyond products and distribution:
“Premier Skills Institute represents a natural evolution of our CPD offering. Education has always been a core part of how we support the veterinary profession, and the Institute gives us a dedicated platform to deliver world-class training that equips professionals with practical skills and knowledge they can apply every day in practice.”
Over time, the programme evolved from traditional in-person workshops to include hybrid learning, hands-on wet labs, and specialised training pathways. Built on trusted relationships with expert educators, universities, and industry partners, the training programmes have consistently focused on scientific excellence, practical learning, and raising standards of veterinary care.
Premier Skills Institute offers a diverse range of training formats designed to meet the evolving needs of veterinary professionals. These include onsite courses delivered at the Thurles training facility, live online webinars, practical training components for Improve Veterinary Education programmes, on-demand digital courses, and private courses tailored to individual practices or organisations.
The launch of Premier Skills Institute represents the next phase of that vision. As an independent entity, the Institute aims to broaden its educational offering and support a wider community of animal health professionals, including veterinary nurses, technicians, practice managers, and future entrants to the profession.
Future plans for the Institute include expanding specialist training pathways, developing digital learning platforms and blended learning models, strengthening partnerships with veterinary experts and universities, and increasing opportunities for hands-on, skills-based training.
Donal Duggan, Managing Director of Duggan Veterinary Group, said the new institute reflects the Group’s long-term commitment to the profession:
“For more than forty years, our business has grown alongside the veterinary profession. Premier Skills Institute is about investing in the future of that profession by supporting education, innovation, and the development of practical skills that ultimately improve standards of animal care.”
The strong attendance at the launch event reflected the profession’s enthusiasm for continued professional development and the role Premier Skills Institute will play in supporting veterinary teams across Ireland, the UK, and beyond.
