Qualifications Aren't Enough | Workplus Ep. 21

Qualifications Aren't Enough | Workplus Ep. 21

What matters more when you're hiring someone new: the grades on the page, or everything else? For Joanne Lennox, it's everything else. In this episode of Workplus, host Richard Kirk sits down with Joanne Lennox, Founder of JLC Solutions and one of the people behind one of Northern Ireland's earliest apprenticeship pathways in construction. Joanne spent over thirty years working in the people function, from the shop floor to senior HR leadership, before stepping away from the corporate world to become an independent consultant. Joanne talks candidly about why she got her first job in a coffee shop just to start earning, why she pushed back on the idea of being "work ready" in favour of being "life ready," and why only 11 percent of employers in Northern Ireland currently offer apprenticeships. She also shares the honest truth about what actually makes a candidate stand out in an interview, and what doesn't. Whether you're a parent, teacher, young person preparing for interviews, or an employer thinking about building an apprenticeship programme of your own, this episode is full of practical, no-nonsense advice. In This Episode: — Why Joanne chose a coffee shop job over anything else, just to start earning — The difference between being "work ready" and being "life ready" — What the "people function" really means beyond traditional HR — How Joanne helped build one of Northern Ireland's first apprenticeship pathways in construction — Why only 11% of employers in Northern Ireland offer apprenticeships, and why that's a missed opportunity — What actually differentiates candidates at interview, beyond their grades — Joanne's honest interview pet peeves after decades on the other side of the table — Her advice to her own 16-year-old: don't panic, you don't need it all figured out — What's so good about work, fifteen years after that first coffee shop shift YouTube Chapters: 00:00 - Welcome to Workplus 00:21 - What did you do for work experience at school? 02:06 - The skills work experience gives you that a classroom can't 04:12 - Work ready vs life ready 06:31 - What is the "people function"? 08:35 - Building a toolkit: how HR skills develop over a career 13:11 - Advice for a 16-year-old trying to choose a path 16:32 - Building one of NI's first apprenticeship pathways 20:03 - What apprenticeships opened up for the organisation 25:33 - Why only 11% of NI employers offer apprenticeships 26:50 - What really differentiates candidates at an interview 30:17 - Interview pet peeves 33:35 - Learning from a degree apprentice in her own team 36:14 - Advice to her 16-year-old self 38:01 - What is so good about work? 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 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  #careeradvice  #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 📩 Know someone who would find this helpful? Share it with a parent, teacher, or future changemaker. 🎙 Follow so you never miss a story. 🎧 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/]

Learning Through Change | NIE Networks | Workplus

What does it take to build a rewarding career in engineering — and does it matter how you get there? Not as much as you might think. In this final episode of the Workplus NIE Networks series, host Richard Kirk sits down with two engineers whose routes into the company couldn't be more different. Joel McCreery studied electrical engineering at Queen's and joined NIE Networks' network innovation team straight from university.  Sinéad Norwood worked at Next for ten years, was a classroom assistant, and applied for a cable jointing apprenticeship at the age of twenty-six — after watching the children in her class apply during a careers session. Together, they paint a vivid picture of what a career at NIE Networks really looks like: the variety, the responsibility, the learning, and the sense that no two days are ever quite the same. Whether you're a parent, teacher, young person exploring careers, or someone thinking about a career change at any age, this episode is full of honest insight about what it means to do work that genuinely matters. In This Episode: — How Sinéad went from Next and classroom assistant to cable jointing apprentice at twenty-six — Why Joel picked up a Queen's engineering brochure in the back of a classroom and never looked back — What cable jointing actually involves — and why it is probably less dangerous than you think — How NIE Networks supported Sinéad through a degree in electrical engineering after her apprenticeship — What the network innovation team does and why flexibility services are key to Northern Ireland's net zero future — Why resilience and adaptability matter more than any module you studied at university — What change management looks like inside a major utilities company — Why no two days are the same — from underground shutdowns to community forums — The advice both guests would give their sixteen-year-old selves — Why the possibilities within NIE Networks are, in Sinéad's words, endless YouTube Chapters: 00:00 - Opening quotes 00:29 - Welcome to Workplus 01:14 - Meet Joel McCreery and Sinéad Norwood 01:20 - School subjects and early interests 02:32 - Sinéad's non-traditional path 03:09 - Joel's part-time work and summer jobs 04:22 - Joel's work experience in aerospace manufacturing 05:51 - How Sinéad's varied career led her to NIE Networks 07:39 - Applying for a cable jointing apprenticeship at twenty-six 08:53 - What cable jointing actually involves 09:54 - From apprentice to graduate: Sinéad's degree journey 11:17 - How Joel found his way to NIE Networks via Queen's and SONI 13:09 - What the network innovation team does 14:57 - Flexibility services and the energy transition 16:16 - Skills needed every day on the job 18:34 - Change management, resilience and adaptability 19:44 - Data, net zero and the future of the network 21:06 - Advice to their sixteen-year-old selves 22:59 - What is so good about work? 25:00 - 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 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  #nienetworks  #energytransition  #womeninengineering  #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 📩 Know someone who would find this helpful? Share it with a parent, teacher, or future changemaker. 🎙 Follow so you never miss a story. 🎧 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 to Build a Successful Career | NIE Networks | Workplus

What if you don't know what you want to do at sixteen — but you're willing to work hard and stay open to what comes next? Everything. Meet Mark Nixon, Head of Digital Delivery at NIE Networks. Mark didn't have a five-year plan when he left secondary school. He studied economics, English, and geography at A-level not because he knew where they'd take him, but because they interested him. His career breakthrough came from a summer placement at an insurance company, then a clerical trainee role at Northern Ireland Electricity managing the company fleet. But here's where the story shifts: Mark became curious about the IT systems behind his job. An aptitude test, a programming course in Austria, and thirty years of growing expertise transformed him into one of the people driving net zero ambitions across Northern Ireland. He even left NIE for eleven years to develop himself elsewhere — then came back stronger, eventually leading the entire digital delivery function. This is a story about attitude, openness, and the power of a strong work ethic. Mark's advice to his younger self applies to anyone questioning their path: don't stress about knowing exactly what you want to do. Find an organisation that lets you explore, stay honest, work hard, and stay open to opportunities as they come. In This Episode: • Why not knowing your career direction at sixteen is completely normal • From clerical trainee to Head of Digital Delivery • The one thing that matters more than qualifications • Why technology and IT are genuinely solid career choices right now • Cybersecurity as a fast-growing, essential field • How IT systems are central to achieving net zero • Using data to make safer, smarter decisions on energy networks • What it means to work as part of Northern Ireland's fabric • Developing and leading the next generation of talent • How the meaning of work evolves as your career grows YouTube Chapters: 0:00 – Why technology is a strong career path 1:34 – School subjects and career uncertainty 2:36 – First work experience at Friends Provident 3:59 – The power of being part of a team 6:07 – First real job: clerical trainee at NIE Networks 7:10 – Managing the vehicle fleet 8:20 – How curiosity sparked a career change 10:12 – Discovering your passion through doing 11:44 – What really drives success in tech 12:30 – Attitude and work ethic are everything 14:08 – Why IT is central to decarbonisation 14:45 – Technology as a solid, secure career choice 16:29 – The huge demand for cybersecurity skills 18:25 – Being part of the fabric of Northern Ireland 20:03 – Advice to your sixteen-year-old self 21:25 – Career growth, leaving, and coming back 22:59 – What's really good about work 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 Know someone exploring their career options? Share this with a parent, teacher, or future leader. Subscribe so you never miss a story. #Workplus #CareerAdvice #Technology #CareersInTech #NIENetworks #NorthernIreland #NetZero #YoungPeople #CareerJourney #Podcast 🎧 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. 🎙 Follow so you never miss a story. 🎧 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/]

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/]