Future-Ready Manufacturing: Skills, Training & Innovation
Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone
09:30 – 15:30 hrs on 18 June 2025
Agenda
09:30 – 10:00 - Registration & Networking Breakfast
10:00 – 10:15 - Opening Remarks
Speaker: Adrienne McDonnell, Senior Executive, Irish Medtech
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.
Keynote speaker:
• Meadhbh Costello, Senior Policy Executive – Education and Skills, Ibec
A panel discussion will follow, featuring senior representatives from key state agencies.
11:00 – 11:45 - The ROI of Upskilling – Real Stories, Real Impact
In this session, 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
Speaker:
• Catherine Browne, Manager Training, Alcon
11:45 – 12:15 - Coffee Break
Visit booths from Skillnets & Apprenticeship training providers
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
Speakers:
• Ida Foley, Director of Regulatory Affairs, EMEA, Teleflex
• Darran Roche, Automation Manager, Bonner Controls
13:30 – 14:00 - Networking Lunch
14:00 – 15:00 - Apprenticeships in Action
This dynamic session brings together real-world stories from the factory floor and boardroom, showcasing how apprenticeships are powering business success, building resilient career pathways, and driving inclusion across the workforce. 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
• Mick Dreelan, Senior Engineering Manager, Stryker Neurovascular
15:00 – 15:20 - Future Trends in Manufacturing Skills
What skills will the manufacturing sector need next? This forward-looking talk 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.
15:20 – 15:30 - Closing Remarks: Adrienne McDonnell, Senior Executive, Irish Medtech