Looking back at the Education Awards 2026, Chartered Accountants Ireland Skillnet has been named winner of the Excellence in Education by a Professional Body award, recognised earlier this year for the world's only professional scepticism VR training programme, a groundbreaking example of education innovation that is transforming how junior and trainee auditors develop one of the profession's most critical competencies.

The programme places learners in immersive audit environments where they adopt the role of a junior auditor conducting an external audit, practising professional scepticism in realistic scenarios that mirror the complexities of real-world audit situations.

That experiential approach represents a significant advance on traditional training methods, using digital learning technology to create conditions where skills development is not just understood conceptually but practised and refined in a safe, feedback-rich environment.

The programme's evidence-based design and real-time feedback mechanisms give it the rigour expected of professional education at the highest level, while student feedback reflecting significant skills development and increased confidence in applying professional scepticism demonstrates that the learning outcomes are tangible and meaningful.

Adoption across multiple universities and professional contexts further underlines the programme's sector relevance, positioning it as a scalable model for professional body education across the Irish education sector and beyond.

Judges were clear in their assessment. "The immersive audit environments, real-time feedback, and evidence-based design provide a transformative learning experience. Adoption across multiple universities and professional contexts highlights its sector relevance, while student feedback reflects significant skills development and increased confidence in applying professional scepticism. This is a creative and engaging use of VR to enhance the learning experience for junior and trainee auditors," the panel stated.

The Excellence in Education by a Professional Body award recognises the professional body in Ireland that can best demonstrate excellence in the delivery and development of knowledge or skills in a profession, assessed across programme design and curriculum development, career preparation, excellence in education and training beyond curricular requirements, and wider exposure to the professional community.

The Education Awards 2026 gala took place on 16 April at the Johnstown Estate, Enfield, Co. Meath.

For the complete 2026 winners list, category insights, and institution profiles, visit the official Education Awards website and subscribe to the newsletter for updates and insights.