Future-Ready Manufacturing: Skills, Training & Innovation
Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone
09:30 – 15:30 hrs on 18 June 2025
As the manufacturing sector evolves, so too must the strategies we deploy to build, retain, and future-proof our workforce. Shaping the Future Manufacturing Workforce brings together policy leaders, enterprise agencies, and industry voices to examine how Ireland is responding to the skills challenge—and what more needs to be done to stay globally competitive.
09:30 – 10:00 | Registration & Networking Breakfast
Light breakfast and opportunity to connect with fellow attendees.
10:00 – 10:15 | Opening Remarks
Speaker: Adrienne McDonnell, Senior Executive, Irish Medtech
- Welcome and overview of the event’s goals
- Importance of skills development in advanced manufacturing
10:00 – 11:00 | Panel Discussion: Shaping the Future Manufacturing Workforce: Policy, Partnerships & Progress
From tackling talent shortages to navigating digital transformation and advanced manufacturing skills, this session offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from decision-makers and explore how industry and government can partner for progress.
High-level strategic priorities will be explained, and you can learn how these initiatives are helping to shape national workforce policy with the needs of industry at its core.
A panel discussion will follow, featuring senior representatives from key state agencies. Together, they will explore:
- Government funding and support mechanisms for skills development
- Current and emerging grant and training initiatives for manufacturers
- National apprenticeship and upskilling strategies
- Opportunities for collaboration in digital and advanced manufacturing initiatives
Moderator: Filip Moriau, CEO, Stragilon. Strategic Agile Innovation
Presentation:
- Meadhbh Costello, Senior Policy Executive – Education and Skills, Ibec
Panellists:
- Breda O’Toole, IDA, Innovation Lead / Technologist
- Helen McMahon, Head of Skills, Partnerships and Policy, Enterprise Ireland
- Justin Purcell, Development Advisor, Skillnet Ireland
- Mary Lyons, Director of Enterprise Employers and Skills, Solas
11:00 – 11:45 | The ROI of Upskilling – Real Stories, Real Impact
What happens when cutting-edge training meets real business needs? In this session, you’ll hear first-hand how two leading Medtech organisations are driving measurable business outcomes through strategic talent development—and capitalising on the power of government-funded initiatives.
Senior training leaders will share how they’ve designed and embedded forward-thinking talent strategies using programmes supported by Skillnet Ireland, and Apprenticeships. By harnessing discounted, industry-designed training, they’ve not only strengthened their workforce—but delivered real ROI across innovation, retention, and productivity.
Expect practical insights, use cases, and proven results as both companies walk through:
- Why they chose to invest in advanced manufacturing skills
- How they leveraged funding networks to stretch their training budgets
- The impact of upskilling on employee career progression and company culture
- Tangible returns—from increased innovation and improved retention to a more agile, future-ready workforce
Whether you’re new to upskilling or looking to evolve your training strategy, this session will show you what’s possible when industry takes the lead—and the results that follow.
Speakers:
- Catherine Browne, Manager Training, Alcon
- Shane Coss, Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Leader EMEA, Trane Technologies
11:45 – 12:15 | Coffee Break & Expo Walk
- Visit booths from Skillnets, training providers, and participating companies
12:15 – 13:15 | Spotlight Sessions: Use Cases in Practice
Discover how companies are putting funded training to work. This session showcases real examples from regulatory affairs, engineering, and automation programmes. From innovation to operations, learn how national supports are enabling cross-functional upskilling across technical, regulatory, and soft skills—and how your business can benefit.
Moderator: Ann O’Connell, Head of Funded Projects for Medtech & Engineering, Ibec
Panellists:
- Ida Foley, Irish Medtech Skillnet Steering Committee Member; and Director of Regulatory Affairs, EMEA, Teleflex
- Darran Roche, Automation Manager, Bonner Controls
- Carmel Keane, Head of HR, Fort Wayne Metals
13:30 – 14:00 | Networking Lunch
14:00 – 15:00| Apprenticeships in Action
In a time of rapid transformation across the manufacturing sector, Apprenticeships in Action shines a spotlight on one of the most impactful talent strategies in play today.
This dynamic session brings together real-world stories from the factory floor and boardroom, showcasing how apprenticeships are powering Manufacturing Engineering businesses success, building resilient career pathways, and driving inclusion across the workforce.
Hear first-hand from the Female Apprentice of the Year, whose journey from aspiring engineer to award-winning apprentice is a testament to the potential within Ireland’s emerging talent. Alongside her, three leading Medtech and Engineering companies will share their experiences—why they chose to invest in apprenticeships, how it has strengthened their talent pipeline, improved retention, delivered measurable ROI, and helped shape a culture of innovation and growth.
Whether you're considering taking on your first apprentice or scaling your programme, this session will offer practical insights, inspiration, and the business case for action.
Moderator: Trish Breen, Apprenticeships Project Manager, Ibec
Panellists:
- Jodie Whyte, Level 8 winner Female Engineering Apprenticeship of the Year 2024, Apprentice Manufacturing Engineer, J&J Vision Care
- Donal Collins, R&D Manager at McHale Engineering
- Mick Dreelan, Senior Engineering Manager, Stryker Neurovascular
15:00 – 15:20 | Future Trends in Manufacturing Skills
What skills will the manufacturing sector need next? In this forward-looking keynote, an award-winning Technology Capability & Change Leader explores the trends shaping the future of work in MedTech, engineering, and polymer technologies. From the rise of emerging technologies to the critical need for agile learning cultures, this session will unpack how data, digital capability, and cultural transformation are redefining the skills landscape—and what your business must do now to stay ahead.
Understand what’s coming. Build agility. Lead the change.
Speaker: Jean O’Donnell, Co-Founder of Wayfinder Careers
Q&A
15:20 – 15:30 | Closing Remarks: Pauline O’Flanagan, Director, Engineering Industries Ireland
- Summary of key takeaways
- Invitation to explore collaboration with Skillnets and training partners