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.”

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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 belong in the world of software.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Work gives people purpose, opportunity, and connection
• Only 1 in 4 post-primary schools in NI has a dedicated software teacher
• Industry insights days and mentoring schemes are equipping teachers with practical tools
• Software and AI need to be normalised in schools just like maths or English
• Industry can help fill the gap where schools lack dedicated computing staff
• Apprenticeships and academies offer vital alternatives to traditional university routes
• Government policy change is key to unlocking education and infrastructure improvements
• AI tools are making it easier for students to start building from an early age
• Human traits like communication and problem-solving are as critical as technical skills
• Sales is a vital, overlooked career path within the software sector

BEST MOMENTS
00:02:54. “Some people are good at some things, and some people are good at other things.”
00:04:16. “Only 1 in 4 of our post-primary schools has a sort of dedicated software teacher.”
00:05:21. “The best way you can do it is to help kids to understand and start to build.”
00:09:07. “We’ve set up Industry Insights Days, so we’ve got teachers come in and learn.”
00:15:02. “An apprentice really benefits because they go in from day one and they start to learn.”
00:27:14. “Why not harness that? Sales selling is one of those people are pretty good at naturally.”
00:34:14. “Get 40 additional software apprentices who are women among your wider companies.”
00:40:23. “You gotta take a punt. Now, I think of apprenticeships as sometimes... not always.”
00:47:16. “It all makes sense when you look back. Then left a role and worked full time trying to make it as a photographer.” 

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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 changers
• Remote work is a game-changer for working parents
• Self-taught coding can lead to real jobs in software
• Apprenticeships offer flexible routes to earning a degree
• Software roles go far beyond just writing code
• Testing involves investigative, problem-solving skills
• Real-world work enhances academic learning
• Flexible hours allow better family-work balance
• Women should not be intimidated by tech
• Employers benefit from investing in apprenticeships

Best Moments
00:01:00. “I was sort of ready to get back into work. But I couldn't go back to college full time.”
00:03:29. “That was really inspirational for me. Just like a witness that you can actually go and get yourself a job without official qualifications.”
00:04:28. “I did the application. I wasn’t really sure whether I would get it. But I got an interview and a job.”
00:07:05. “Programing like actually writing code is not the only area you can go into in software.”
00:09:04. “Remote working is fantastic. I think it's like the only good thing that has come out of Covid.”
00:12:14. “You don't have to actually go in. So that is like, that's brilliant. It's a brilliant model.”
00:15:29. “I think women are faced with an impossible choice of having a career or having a family.”
00:18:32. “If you have a bit of an analytical way of thinking, it's really not unachievable.”
00:20:00. “Apprenticeships open the door to those kind of people... who want to upskill into software.”

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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 instilled a strong work ethic and teamwork mindset
• His experience in consultancy shaped a global perspective on employability
• The shift to Belfast City Council was driven by a desire to create local impact
• Employment academies offer practical alternatives to traditional education pathways
• Non-statutory, flexible models can better support overlooked jobseekers
• Strong collaboration with employers is key to academy success
• Aftercare support is crucial to long-term employment outcomes
• AI may shift tasks but core transversal skills remain vital
• A first job is often the gateway to broader life ambitions

BEST MOMENTS
00:03:11. “I just think of myself as a little boy in short trousers when I started, really, and I was so grateful for the opportunity.”
00:04:12. “There was a compatibility challenge around all of that, which made me consider my options.”
00:06:45. “The degree was the Holy Grail. The degree got you to a place of where you were deemed employable.”
00:08:32. “The idea of apprenticeships in particular is something that appeals to me hugely.”
00:13:29. “Our commitment to them is that we will take them from where they're out at the moment to a position of having secured a job interview.”
00:20:40. “Our ambition actually is to make this available to everyone.”
00:33:17. “It allowed you to start to think about yourself, in a different way. It allowed you to mix with different people.”

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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 and cancer research, and why people, not just problems, make work worthwhile.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Everything around us, from smartphones to telescopes, was designed by engineers
• Curiosity and creativity are essential traits for engineers
• Oxford Instruments helps scientists push the boundaries of life and physical sciences
• Seeing products used in real-world research boosts engineering engagement
• Inspiring the next generation of engineers starts with better role models and exposure
• Non-linear career paths can lead to leadership and innovation
• Young people don't need university to have a successful engineering career
• The arts and STEM must coexist for well-rounded innovation
• Mentorship programs like SistersIN help young women envision their potential
• The best part of work is helping others grow and succeed

BEST MOMENTS
00:00:04. “Everything in your pocket or on your person was developed by an engineer.”
00:01:27. “I’m the director of engineering, so I have quite a large engineering team.”
00:03:35. “We’re kind of experts in low light imaging. Cameras that go on microscopes, telescopes.”
00:05:36. “I like the fact that one and one equals two and always does.”
00:07:15. “Innovation and through creativity and curiosity.”
00:09:24. “Seeing people grow… there’s no other feeling like it.”
00:10:31. “Spent two hours talking about the black hole, like who does that in their job?”
00:14:02. “I've been a STEM ambassador for… oh my goodness, I don’t know, for many years.”
00:20:34. “This is a way to really tell these young women, you have got what it takes.”
00:26:13. “Probably the best thing and the worst thing and the same thing, and that’s other people.”

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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 learning is non-negotiable.
• Careers often unfold through unexpected pivots, not straight paths.
• AI is not coming, it’s already changing how we build and deliver software.
• Leadership means communicating vision and inspiring belief in it.
• Collaboration across competitors can strengthen the whole sector.
• Good careers are built on more than qualifications. Skills like teamwork and adaptability matter most.
• Infrastructure, connectivity, and equity are essential to close the digital divide.
• Northern Ireland’s tech sector thrives because of deep relationships across academia, government, and business.
• The Software & AI initiative shows how industry can drive collective impact.
• Purpose is about creating jobs that improve lives, not just writing code.

BEST MOMENTS
00:00:04. “I knew nothing about interest rate and derivatives when I started, but it's a skill to know that you've got to have that ability to continuously learn throughout your career.”
00:01:34. “I absolutely hated engineering. I promised myself on graduation day I wasn’t going to work a single day as an engineer.”
00:04:29. “I had to go to the library to look up half the words in the job ad. I had never even heard of an investment bank.”
00:07:09. “I just absolutely loved it. From that support job, I moved onto the development side.”
00:09:16. “You’ve got to be prepared, willing and able to continually refresh your tech skills.”
00:10:47. “Whenever you're dead and gone, there's not a single person from JP Morgan going to be standing at my graveside.”
00:17:50. “Instead of having 10% of everything, let's have 100% of something.”
00:23:02. “Girls are out-performing boys at school. They’re getting the grades, but still not choosing tech.”
00:26:59. “You have all the best intentions, but you can't maximize the impact because schools just can't interact with you.”
00:44:34. “That's what the motivation is. The difference I can make from whatever seat I'm sitting in.”

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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, teachers, and anyone curious about the future of careers in Northern Ireland.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Apprenticeships provide a valid, valuable alternative to university
• Supportive environments help young people build confidence from day one
• Learning on the job reinforces academic studies
• Collaboration and teamwork are key to growth in tech roles
• Real-world projects create tangible impact and satisfaction
• Tech careers are increasingly accessible to women
• Mentorship from peers strengthens understanding
• Flexibility in remote and hybrid work boosts productivity
• Early exposure to problem-solving builds long-term resilience
• AI is viewed as a helpful tool, not a replacement

BEST MOMENTS

00:00:05. “You're not supposed to know everything. You're meant to go in with a mindset that you're excited to learn.”
00:01:43. “We were able to get involved in a competition… and the result was us being taken to Silicon Valley.”
00:03:06. “Our physics teacher in particular recommended Workplus to help us get started.”
00:04:20. “Every day is different. So you go in and there's a new problem to solve.”
00:06:07. “From the beginning, it's been encouraged that you're not supposed to know everything.”
00:10:40. “We are given the time to do that. It's not all… there isn't a pressure on deadlines as such.”
00:12:13. “From day one, you do feel valued and that your opinions are respected.”
00:13:13. “We offer lots of different products to elite sports teams.”
00:19:26. “Our two last two hiring of apprentices have been fully female.”
00:30:31. “Just continue to work hard and do what you're doing and it will work out.”

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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’s culture, what makes apprentices succeed, and why industry collaboration matters more than ever.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The path into tech doesn’t have to be perfect or planned. Sometimes the best decisions come from a gut feeling.
• Teachers can change lives. One teacher’s advice led Áine to explore a career she had never considered.
• Real-world experience matters. Getting into a company early opened doors and built her confidence.
• Apprenticeships are a powerful route into tech. Áine says she would have chosen that path if it had been available.
• Software engineering isn’t just about code. It’s also about problem-solving, communication, and end-user impact.
• Instil’s approach blends technical excellence with a strong culture of mentorship and learning.
• Working in tech means every day is different. Flexibility, curiosity, and resilience are key.
• Collaboration across companies is the only way to fix long-term skills and education challenges.
• Software NI is helping bring schools, government, and industry together to align goals and create lasting change.

BEST MOMENTS

01:23 “I don’t have a ‘I was always meant to be a software engineer’ thing… it just sort of happened.”
04:13 “She was the one that encouraged me to put down computer science as a first choice.”
06:33 “Once I’ve made a decision, I’ve made it. That’s it. I’m going here, computer science.”
08:54 “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. I nearly did.”
14:45 “What I intended to do today didn’t happen. My focus became helping someone else.”
18:03 “Try not to get too much in the weeds. Always think, who is this for?”
25:09 “We all want the same thing, young people in jobs, contributing to the economy.”
29:01 “Clients are asking for our apprentices by name. They’re that good.”
32:59 “I’m devastated I wasn’t born 10 years later. I would’ve loved to do an apprenticeship.”
34:00 “I’m acting like a sponge right now. Soaking up everything to prepare for senior leadership.”

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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.

Whether you are a young person, parent, teacher, or employer, this conversation offers unique insights into how early interests can lead to fulfilling careers, why curiosity and purpose matter more than qualifications, and how to thrive in a fast-changing world of work.

⏱ In This Episode:
• How a 14-year-old’s curiosity led to a lifelong career in software
• Building a business from zero customers to a thriving company
• Why Northern Ireland needs to invest in young tech talent
• The real impact of AI on junior and senior tech roles
• Why purpose is the key ingredient for meaningful work
• The crucial role of mentors and good leadership in tech careers
• Tara’s advice for young people navigating career choices today
• How Software NI is helping grow the tech sector for everyone

This is an episode for anyone who wants to understand how careers are built, why purpose matters, and how Northern Ireland’s software sector is evolving.

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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 the best decision you make.

⏱ In This Episode:
• Why real work experience can transform career choices
• How apprenticeships help you earn, learn, and grow at the same time
• Busting the myth: software is not just coding in dark rooms
• Supporting young people to explore tech through STEAM Studio
• How employers can benefit from eager-to-learn apprentices
• Breaking barriers for women in tech and creating inclusive workplaces
• The power of mentorship, flexibility, and workplace wellbeing
• Gina’s advice for young people who are curious about tech careers

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