ENGINEERING & AEROSPACE Exam results are not the only route
into Ireland’s industrial future By Rhonda Doyle, Country President at Schneider Electric Ireland
L
eaving Certificate results are an important milestone, but they do not define a young person’s career.
As Ireland builds the workforce needed to
deliver its energy transition and digital ambitions, it is more important than ever to recognise that there is no single route into a successful and fulfilling career. Industry is changing quickly. Manufacturing is becoming more connected and more automated. It is rapidly becoming driven by data, while the shift towards electrification is creating new opportunities across energy management, infrastructure and sustainable production, with around 6,000 new jobs expected to be created in 2030. To deliver on this potential, businesses will need people with a broad mix of technical expertise, practical experience, curiosity and problem-solving ability.
That talent will not come from one pathway alone. Academic qualifications can open many doors,
and for some people university will be the right next step. But apprenticeships, vocational education, work placements and entry-level roles offer equally valuable routes into industry. For others, the right opportunity may come later in life, through reskilling, a return to work or a move from another sector entirely. The challenge for employers is to make these routes clear and accessible. Too often, young people are encouraged to see their choices as a narrow divide between academic achievement and a less-defined alternative. In reality, the modern manufacturing and energy sectors offer a wide range of careers, from engineering and automation to software, cybersecurity, project management, sustainability and operations. These are not fallback options. They are essential to the future of the industry. For many people, practical experience provides the confidence and context that classroom learning alone cannot. Our apprenticeship placements, for example, allow individuals to develop technical capability while contributing to real projects and learning from experienced colleagues. Equally, graduate programmes and early-career positions can give those with academic qualifications the chance to apply their knowledge to real-world challenges. What
24 July/August 2026 Irish Manufacturing
matters is that everyone has the chance to learn, progress and build a career that’s right for them.
SKILLS FOR A CHANGING INDUSTRIAL LANDSCAPE
As AI becomes a more established part of
industrial life, this is especially important. AI is already helping businesses to interpret complex data, improve operational efficiency, predict maintenance needs and support faster, better- informed decisions. It has considerable potential to make organisations more productive and sustainable. However, the conversation cannot simply be about technology replacing tasks. The real opportunity lies in how people and technology can work together.
AI will change the tools used by engineers, technicians, operators and leaders, but it will also increase the value of distinctly human skills. Curiosity, critical thinking, judgement and collaboration will remain crucial, particularly when people are responsible for asking the right questions, understanding the limitations of a tool, and applying insight in a real operational setting. This means businesses must approach AI adoption as a people challenge as much as a technology challenge. Investing in new tools without investing in the confidence and skills of the people using them risks widening gaps within the workforce. Training must be ongoing, inclusive, and relevant to the roles people perform today, as well as those they may move into tomorrow.
POWERING IRELAND’S DIGITAL AMBITIONS
Ireland’s digital ambitions also depend on
the physical infrastructure behind them. Data, connectivity and AI all require reliable, efficient and sustainable energy. That creates an even more significant need for workforces that understand the relationship between digital innovation and electrification, and have the skills to design, build, operate and maintain the systems that support both.
No single employer can solve this alone. Building a future-ready workforce will require closer collaboration between industry, education providers, and government. Businesses must do more to engage with schools and communities and demonstrate the breadth of careers available. We must also challenge old assumptions about what manufacturing looks like. Today’s sector is now multidimensional, with the need for innovation and advanced technology. It involves solving some of society’s most pressing challenges, from reducing emissions to building more resilient infrastructure. Manufacturing is no longer simply about production lines.
For those receiving exam results, this should be an encouraging message. Their grades are an achievement to be proud of, but they are a starting point, not a ceiling. There are many ways to enter industry and make an impact. Ireland has a significant opportunity to build
the diverse, capable workforce needed for a more electric and digital future. To realise it, we must value potential in all its forms, and ensure that every talented person can see a place for themselves in the industries shaping what comes next.
https://www.se.com/ie/en/
www.irish-manufacturing.com
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