In this episode of Workplus, Richard Kirk speaks with Esther, a software engineering manager whose journey from Nigeria to Northern Ireland tells a story of grit, growth, and guidance. From working in customer service to leading engineering teams, Esther shares how an access course changed her path, why mentoring matters, and how apprenticeships are transforming opportunities in tech. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or someone rethinking your own career, Esther's story is full of insight and inspiration.

Key Takeaways
• Starting over in a new country builds resilience and confidence
• Customer service roles can be a powerful training ground for soft skills
• Access courses open the door to higher education for non-traditional students
• Software engineering is as much about teamwork as technical skills
• Apprenticeships offer practical, supported entry into tech careers
• Being results-driven helps sustain motivation through challenges
• Passion and purpose go hand in hand in tech careers
• Leadership requires listening, patience, and clarity
• Mentoring is essential for apprentice success
• Companies benefit from keeping both graduate and apprenticeship pathways open

Best Moments
00:00:03. “Apprenticeship is a good way to give young people the opportunity to learn on the job as well as study.”
00:01:32. “I moved to Northern Ireland because I got married, and my husband worked here.”
00:02:15. “The first job I had was as a census collector... it helped me get comfortable with people.”
00:03:45. “I once had more... because that wasn’t what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”
00:06:12. “It would be great... to have many women and girls going into so-called men-dominated jobs or degrees.”
00:08:04. “I just love the idea of sitting down and writing code and seeing it do something.”
00:10:21. “Even after today, whenever I see that feature... I say to myself, yes, this is my idea.”
00:12:40. “Having a happy team means you’re going to get work done.”
00:15:30. “Software engineering is not just about you sitting there on your laptop every single day.”
00:32:40. “It’s all about the positive aspects you get out of it in the end. It outweighs whatever negatives there are.”

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Green Economy Explained: Jobs, Skills, Impact

In this episode of Workplus, host Richard Kirk sits down with Gordon Parkes, Executive Director of People & Culture at NIE Networks, to unpack the rise of green skills, emerging job opportunities, and the changing perceptions of apprenticeships. From heat pumps to smart meters, Gordon shares practical insight into how Northern Ireland can lead the way in sustainability-focused careers. With 58,000 new jobs projected and a skills revolution underway, this is a must-listen for parents, teachers, and anyone navigating the future of work.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Green skills include any activity that directly or indirectly supports net zero by 2050
• “Dark green” jobs include EV charger installers and wind turbine technicians
• “Light green” jobs include planners, HR officers, and procurement roles
• Northern Ireland expects 58,000 green jobs in the next decade
• Heat pump installation is creating hybrid electrician-plumber roles
• Apprenticeships are a core talent strategy at NIE Networks
• Leadership roles in climate and sustainability are rapidly growing
• 40% of NIE Networks' senior leaders began as apprentices
• Collaboration with colleges is key for new roles like data analytics
• Green careers can support local economies and reduce fossil fuel imports

BEST MOMENTS
00:01:03. “58,000 extra jobs are forecast over the next few years.”
00:02:10. “An electric vehicle charger installer... that would be totally dark green.”
00:03:55. “Multi-skilled technicians will be needed in areas where previously there were specialists.”
00:05:18. “That’s the story we need to be selling here in Northern Ireland.”
00:07:22. “It's a fantastic service that we provide to society.”
00:08:29. “We have the latest count of 67 different job roles within our business.”
00:10:10. “The NIE apprenticeship program is now over 50 years old.”
00:13:01. “96% of those apprentices stay with us.”
00:16:01. “Smart meters will allow customers to regulate when they use electricity.”
00:20:13. “It’s all about the people and ensuring we look after them well.”

🎧 Thanks for listening to Workplus, the podcast that brings real jobs into the light.

🔗 Find more stories, tools, and guides to help young people and returners explore meaningful careers at workplus.app

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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 Z values impact over authority and autonomy over hierarchy
• Many millennials feel burned out by traditional leadership roles
• The leadership gap is widening across industries and regions
• Culture must start with a clear “why” that everyone can connect with
• Apprenticeships are underused but powerful talent pathways
• Retail taught Susan fast wins, clear values and purpose through experience
• AI skills are the new baseline, not optional add-ons
• Parents and carers have a powerful support role in career journeys
• Flexibility doesn’t always mean hybrid, it means options
• Education and workplace design must evolve together

BEST MOMENTS

00:02:27. “If you ever want to chat about selvage or twill weave and warp threads, I am your person.”

00:04:42. “If more organizations had a clear outline of their why and their purpose, they would see greater levels of excitement with their employees.”

00:08:00. “The purpose of my role is to improve the working worlds so that my kids have a better experience entering the job market than I did.”

00:11:22. “You don't have to work in HR to be a people professional.”

00:17:21. “If people actually want to walk down them, then we'll be focusing more on mentorship programs or reframing leadership beyond managing people.”

00:21:15. “AI… it's inescapable at this point. The implementation of it is massive.”

00:27:08. “I think the right point to start training people is when we're thinking about entering the workplace. So maybe in 14, 15, 16 plus.”

00:45:02. “You can be what you see.”

🎧 Thanks for listening to Workplus, the podcast that brings real jobs into the light.

🔗 Find more stories, tools, and guides to help young people and returners explore meaningful careers at workplus.app

📩 Know someone who would find this helpful? Share it with a parent, teacher, or future changemaker.

🎙 New episodes every Thursday at 8am. Follow so you never miss a story.

This podcast has been brought to you by APodcastGeek. https://www.apodcastgeek.com