Workplus | Real People, Meaningful Careers

Powering Purpose | NIE Networks | Workplus

What does telling the story behind the numbers have to do with building a meaningful career? Everything. In this episode of Workplus, host Richard Kirk sits down with Claire Woolsey, Senior Manager of Financial Planning & Regulation at NIE Networks, whose career journey — from a village bakery and university summer jobs to leading a team at the heart of Northern Ireland's energy transition — proves that you don't need a maths A-level to thrive in finance. You just need curiosity, people skills, and the courage to take a leap of faith. From a joint law and accountancy degree at Queen's, to a training contract at EY, to a 20-year career at NIE Networks that she genuinely loves, Claire's story shows how following your interests — even when you're not sure where they'll lead — can take you further than any fixed plan. Whether you're a parent, teacher, young person exploring careers, or someone considering a move into finance or the energy sector, this episode is packed with honest insights about career progression, leadership, and what it really means to do work that matters. In This Episode: - Why geography, history and politics at A-level led to a career in accountancy - The part-time jobs that built the skills Claire uses every day as a senior leader - What a training contract at EY really involves — and why Saturday classes are part of the deal - The temporary role at NIE Networks that became a 20-year career - What financial planning looks like when you're forecasting a decade into the future - How NIE Networks supported Claire through maternity leave, job shares and flexible working - Why the most important skill in finance is telling the story behind the numbers - What it means to lead a team with purpose — and make people feel genuinely valued - NIE Networks' triple Investors in People accreditation — the only company in the UK to achieve it - Claire's advice to her 16-year-old self: follow your passion, embrace the tough moments, grasp every opportunity 00:00 - Opening quote: Leading the team is the privilege of my role 00:28 - Welcome to Workplus 01:06 - Meet Claire Woolsey 01:20 - School days: geography, history, politics — and PE 02:50 - Part-time jobs: the bakery, the lifeguard pool and the electoral canvass 05:00 - The skills those jobs built — and why they still matter 07:05 - Choosing a degree: law, accountancy and a year in the States 08:12 - Why you don't need maths at A-level to work in finance 09:29 - The story behind the numbers 10:00 - From EY to NIE: a leap of faith on a temporary contract 12:57 - What's changed at NIE Networks in 20 years 14:29 - Flexible working, job shares and balancing a career with family 15:18 - Financial planning and the energy transition 16:08 - Regulatory finance and what a price control involves 16:35 - Leading a team of eight with purpose 19:25 - Advice to her 16-year-old self 20:03 - What's so good about work? 21:27 - Closing thoughts Thanks for watching Workplus, the podcast that shines a light on the people doing good work across Northern Ireland. Find more stories, resources, and tools to help guide the next generation at https://www.workplus.app/.  Know someone exploring their career options? Share this with a parent, teacher, or future leader. Subscribe so you never miss a story. #CareerDevelopment #Finance #NorthernIrelandCareers #WorkplusPodcast #NIENetworks #EnergyTransition #Apprenticeships #YouthEmployment 🎧 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 [https://workplus.app] 📩 Know someone who would find this helpful? Share it with a parent, teacher, or future changemaker. 🎙Follow so you never miss a story. Produced by APodcastGeek https://apodcastgeek.com/ [https://apodcastgeek.com/]

Growth Through Opportunity | NIE Networks | Workplus

What does stepping outside your comfort zone have to do with building a successful career? Everything. In this episode of Workplus, host Richard Kirk sits down with Paula Leathem, Head of Human Resources at NIE Networks, whose remarkable journey from clerical apprentice to senior leader proves that the opportunities that challenge us most are often the ones that shape our futures. From working in a newsagent at 13 to leading HR for Northern Ireland's electricity network, Paula's story shows how curiosity, respect, and seizing opportunities can unlock unexpected career paths—even if you don't have it all figured out at 16. Whether you're a parent, teacher, young person exploring careers, or an HR professional, this episode is packed with honest insights about apprenticeships, career progression, and the future of work in the energy sector. In This Episode: * Why practical subjects and team sports matter more than you think * The value of early work experience—from newsagents to care homes * How Paula went from customer service to leading HR (without an HR degree) * What NIE Networks offers beyond STEM: finance, IT, procurement, and more * The future of green skills and achieving net zero * Why AI won't replace people—but will change how we work * The surprising role of cyber security in electricity networks * Paula's advice to her 16-year-old self: embrace the uncomfortable * What makes work meaningful (hint: it's about people) YouTube Chapters: 00:00 - Opening quote: Don't be afraid to take opportunities  00:28 - Welcome to Workplus  01:09 - Meet Paula Leathem  01:20 - School days: favourite subjects and team sports  2:46 - Early work experience in newsagents and care homes 04:10 - Making the leap after school  05:14 - Starting as an apprentice at NIE Networks  06:22 - The challenge and reward of customer service  07:09 - From customer service to HR leadership 1 0:33 - Apprenticeship and graduate programmes at NIE Networks  12:03 - Opportunities beyond STEM subjects  12:56 - Green skills and the future of energy work  14:19 - Cyber security in the electricity network  15:34 - Advice to her 16-year-old self  16:27 - What's so good about work?  17:15 - Closing thoughts Thanks for watching Workplus, the podcast that shines a light on the people doing good work across Northern Ireland. Find more stories, resources, and tools to help guide the next generation at workplus.app [http://workplus.app] Know someone exploring their career options? Share this with a parent, teacher, or future leader. Subscribe so you never miss a story. #CareerDevelopment #Apprenticeships #NorthernIrelandCareers #WorkplusPodcast #HRLeadership #GreenSkills #NIENetworks #YouthEmployment 🎧 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 [https://workplus.app] 📩 Know someone who would find this helpful? Share it with a parent, teacher, or future changemaker. 🎙Follow so you never miss a story. Produced by APodcastGeek https://apodcastgeek.com/ [https://apodcastgeek.com/]

In conversation with the Economy Minister for Northern Ireland | Workplus

What if the skills that define your career didn't come from a classroom, but from behind a shop counter? In this episode of Workplus, host Richard Kirk sits down with Dr Caoimhe Archibald, Economy Minister for Northern Ireland. Dr Archibald shares how early work experience shaped her leadership journey — from part-time jobs that built confidence and people skills, to her current passion for apprenticeships as a pathway to real opportunity. This is a conversation about earning while learning, breaking down barriers to employment, and why the skills that matter most are often learned on the job. If you've ever wondered how great careers are really built, this episode is for you. KEY TAKEAWAYS * Early work experience builds confidence, judgment and essential people skills * Part-time jobs teach skills that can't be learned in a classroom alone * Apprenticeships allow Career explorers to earn and learn simultaneously * Employers benefit from growing talent shaped for the real world * Work-based learning builds practical confidence alongside technical skills ABOUT THE GUEST Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA serves as Economy Minister for Northern Ireland, championing apprenticeships and skills development across the region. Her own career journey began with part-time work that taught her invaluable lessons about confidence, people skills, and professional judgment — experiences that continue to inform her leadership today. 🎧 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 [https://workplus.app] 📩 Know someone who would find this helpful? Share it with a parent, teacher, or future changemaker. 🎙Follow so you never miss a story. Produced by APodcastGeek https://apodcastgeek.com/ [https://apodcastgeek.com/]

How Monkstown Boxing Club Is Shaping Careers | Workplus Ep. 16

What if a boxing club could help change a young person’s life forever? In this episode of Workplus, host Richard Kirk sits down with Nathan Lowry, Life Skills Coach at Monkstown Boxing Club. Nathan shares how the club has evolved from a traditional boxing gym into a powerful community hub, supporting hundreds of young people across Northern Ireland every year. From helping with CVs to building confidence and breaking intergenerational cycles, Nathan’s story is one of deep purpose and practical hope. If you’ve ever wondered what great youth work really looks like, this episode is for you. KEY TAKEAWAYS • Monkstown Boxing Club supports over 500 young people a year • The club offers boxing, education, mentoring, and community programmes • Nathan’s role focuses on employability and well-being for ages 16–24 • Confidence is a major barrier for young people entering work • Employers often miss chances to engage future talent through work experience • Nathan overcame low confidence through mentors and volunteering • He now mentors others through Workplus and other programmes • Youth work is about consistency, trust, and showing up • Long-term funding is critical for real impact in youth services • Seeing a young person grow is more powerful than any paycheque BEST MOMENTS 00:00:04. “It gets me up out of bed every morning.” 00:01:14. “Everyone thinks it's just boxing. Our slogan is 'not just a boxing club.’” 00:02:43. “We interact with around 500 young people annually.” 00:04:02. “It started off in the local community centre as a boxing club.” 00:06:13. “The employer doesn’t want to hear from mummy. They want to hear from the young person.” 00:12:01. “There are probably two youth workers I could tell you, if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here.” 00:17:19. “They’re the ones who wrote the application and nailed the interview.” 00:27:29. “For me that was priceless, seeing kids come right out and be a better version of themselves.” 00:33:14. “We never expect young people to return as volunteers, but they always come back.” 00:36:22. “If you do something you love, you never work a day in your life.” 🎧 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 [https://workplus.app] 📩 Know someone who would find this helpful? Share it with a parent, teacher, or future changemaker. 🎙Follow so you never miss a story. Produced by APodcastGeek https://apodcastgeek.com/ [https://apodcastgeek.com/]

Why Software Offers Endless Career Opportunities | Workplus Ep. 15

What if your career path wasn’t a straight line, but a series of pivots that built something even better? In this episode of Workplus, we sit down with Amy Martin, Business Development Manager at Scaffold Digital, to explore her journey from marketing to tech. Amy shares how she found her place in the software industry, what skills really matter, and why tech is far more than just coding. This episode is packed with insights for anyone curious about the human side of software and how real-world problems get solved through bespoke solutions. Whether you're a parent guiding your child, a teacher looking for inspiring stories, or someone considering a change, this conversation will help you see the tech sector, and your own potential, in a new light. KEY TAKEAWAYS: • You don’t need to start in tech to succeed in it • Resilience and creativity are key to business development • Most companies are looking for tailored software, not off-the-shelf tools • Real career growth often comes from blending diverse experiences • Building relationships is as important as building products • The software industry offers roles far beyond engineering • Discovery sessions help translate business pain points into tech solutions • AI is already speeding up processes and supporting teams • Tech has a big impact on regulated, high-compliance industries • Every business has unique needs, bespoke software reflects that BEST MOMENTS: 00:01:23. “I work for a company called Scaffold Digital. Scaffold are a software company headquartered here in Northern Ireland.”  00:02:35. “Anything that we do build, the client owns outright. They own the IP.”  00:03:21. “It really does just go back to the basics. Understanding what a company does, are they trying to grow?”  00:04:10. “I think that I’ve almost kind of married everything up through my experience.”  00:05:23. “You kind of just develop these kind of resilience skills along the way.”  00:06:25. “I actually thought I wanted to be a special needs teacher.”  00:09:29. “It was on you to get up in the morning and get to your class.”  00:13:52. “We take a client through discovery and strategy, then develop a tactical roadmap.”  00:20:10. “There’s just so much opportunity within the industry. And I think more than anywhere you can pivot once you’re in it.”  00:24:19. “For me it’s just about helping people. That’s probably a big part of my role.” 🎧 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 [https://workplus.app] 📩 Know someone who would find this helpful? Share it with a parent, teacher, or future changemaker. 🎙Follow so you never miss a story. Produced by APodcastGeek https://apodcastgeek.com/ [https://apodcastgeek.com/]