Workplus | Real People, Meaningful Careers

Leadership Gap, AI Skills and Purpose at Work with Susan Hayman

In this episode of Workplus, we sit down with Susan Hayman, Engagement and Employer Solutions Manager at CIPD in Northern Ireland. With deep roots in fashion retail and a passion for building better workplaces, Susan shares her journey from Boston to Belfast and opens up about the urgent issues facing today’s employers. From the looming leadership gap to practical uses of AI, Susan brings a fresh, honest voice to the conversation around purpose, flexibility and rethinking what meaningful work looks like.

• Gen...

Building a Software-First Future for All

In this episode of Workplus, host Richard Kirk sits down with Neil Hutcheson, CEO of Software NI, to explore how education, industry, and government can work together to embed software and AI into everyday life. Neil shares how his organisation is advocating for computer science to become as foundational as maths in schools, how policy can unlock systemic change, and why non-traditional paths into the software sector matter more than ever. With insight, clarity, and passion, Neil makes a compelling case for a future where everyone can build and...

How Ordinary People Build Extraordinary Tech Careers

In this inspiring episode of Workplus, host Richard Kirk speaks with Mia, a software tester and apprentice with Teamwork. From full-time mum to tech professional, Mia shares her journey into the software industry, offering hope and insight to anyone considering a return to work or a career pivot. This conversation is filled with practical advice, real-life wins, and powerful reminders that good work is possible, even while juggling school runs and software bugs.

Key Takeaways
• Apprenticeships make tech careers more accessible to parents and career ch...

The Transformational Impact of Employment

In this episode of Workplus, Richard Kirk speaks with Michael, a senior leader at Belfast City Council, about his journey from the Glens of Antrim to global consultancy, and now to reshaping lives through employment academies. Michael shares how his personal and professional path informs his work helping others access meaningful employment. His story is one of resilience, humility, and the power of a first job.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Employment can be a life-changing milestone that opens up new possibilities
• Michael's early life on a farm...

Building Futures: The Lasting Impact of Engineering Careers

In this episode of the Workplus podcast, host Richard Kirk is joined by Claire, Director of Engineering at Oxford Instruments. Claire shares her inspiring journey from a Northern Irish all-girls school to leading a global engineering team developing scientific imaging technologies. She discusses the power of STEM education, the vital role of creativity in engineering, and her passion for empowering young people, especially women, to pursue impactful careers in science and technology. This episode uncovers the surprising reach of engineering, from telescopes in Hawaii to airport security...

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. With candor and clarity, John reveals what it means to lead with vision, bridge digital divides, and build meaningful careers, especially in a world transformed by AI.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Technology skills become obsolete. Continuous le...

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 real-world experience. This episode breaks down how apprenticeships are opening new doors into tech, how support and curiosity go hand in hand, and why young people don’t have to choose between learning and working. 

A must-listen for parents, teac...

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 her feet in software engineering, what her day-to-day work actually looks like, and why she’s so passionate about shaping the future of skills and education in Northern Ireland. She also lifts the lid on Instil’...

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 how purpose-driven work continues to motivate him. From software engineering to leadership, Tara reflects on building a business from scratch, navigating the rapid rise of AI, and shaping the future talent pipeline in Northern Ireland’s tech sector.

Whet...

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 confident, Kathleen explains what needs to change and how it can happen. She shares examples from her own leadership, including how schools can build stronger employer links, the impact of real-world work experience, and why leadership must be at the heart of...

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 design to social impact and leadership, she shows how apprenticeships offer so much more than just a job.

Whether you are a young person, parent, teacher, or employer, this conversation will challenge your thinking about traditional career routes and highlight why apprenticeships could be...

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, accountants…people doing meaningful work, every day.

Our goal?

To help people see what’s actually out there.

To uncover paths that aren’t obvious.

And to support th...