Workplus uncovers the powerful stories hidden inside ordinary-sounding jobs. Each episode introduces you to the people doing good work and the ripple effects they create for colleagues, customers, and communities. Whether you’re leading a team, exploring apprenticeships, considering a career change, returning to work, teaching 21st-century skills, or shaping policy around the future of work, Workplus offers an authentic glimpse of how real careers are built, how the skills gap is being addre ...
…
continue reading
Workplus Podcasts
1
Continuous Learning in the Age of AI | Workplus Ep. 6
45:27
45:27
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:27
Continuous Learning in the Age of AI In this episode of Workplus, Richard Kirk speaks with John Healy about his remarkable career journey from accidental engineer to tech leader. John reflects on the importance of adaptability, lifelong learning, and purpose-driven work as he shares how he navigated roles at JP Morgan, Citi, Allstate, and Invest NI…
…
continue reading
1
Why Apprenticeships Are Transforming Tech Careers | Workplus Ep. 5
33:10
33:10
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
33:10
Why Apprenticeships Are Transforming Tech Careers In this episode of Workplus, host Richard Kirk speaks with twin sisters Olivia and Louisa, software engineering apprentices at Teamworks. From their early passion for tech to building products used by elite sports teams, they share an honest and inspiring story of growth, challenge, and the power of…
…
continue reading
1
What Real Careers Really Look Like: Áine’s Path Into Tech | Workplus Ep. 4
36:12
36:12
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
36:12
In this episode of Workplus, Richard is joined by Áine McCaughey, Principal Software Engineer at Instil. Áine didn’t grow up dreaming of a job in tech. In fact, she nearly became a biochemist or a secondary school teacher. But a bold nudge from a trusted teacher led her to try computer science, and that changed everything. Áine shares how she found…
…
continue reading
1
From Engineer to Employer: Building a Business in Tech | Workplus Ep. 3
42:39
42:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:39
In this episode of the Workplus podcast, Tara Simpson, CEO of Instil and founding member of Software NI, shares her incredible journey from self-taught teenager to leading one of Northern Ireland’s top software companies. Tara opens up about how a ZX Spectrum in the 1980s sparked his love for technology, why mentorship transformed his career, and h…
…
continue reading
1
What Employers Really Want From Schools | Workplus Ep. 1
48:21
48:21
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
48:21
In the very first episode of the Workplus podcast, Kathleen O’Hare shares her powerful perspective on how education in Northern Ireland must change to prepare young people for the future of work. From the need to move beyond outdated exams, to breaking the stigma around vocational careers, to ensuring every young person leaves school digitally conf…
…
continue reading
1
From School to Software Engineer: Why Apprenticeships Work | Workplus Ep. 2
28:29
28:29
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
28:29
In this episode of the Workplus podcast, Gina Lonergan shares her inspiring journey from school student to associate software engineer at Liberty IT through an apprenticeship. Gina reveals how early work experience, practical learning, and a supportive workplace helped her build a thriving career without university debt. From coding and product des…
…
continue reading
This project has been a long time coming. Born out of hundreds of conversations with parents, teachers, employers, and young people across Northern Ireland. It’s built around a simple idea: What if careers advice started with real people and real jobs…not just job titles? In this podcast, we sit down with welders, coders, youth workers, artists, ac…
…
continue reading
