NI Chamber's Future Workforce Summit 2024
The NI Chamber's Future Workforce Summit is a pivotal event designed to address the critical challenges and opportunities facing Northern Ireland's labour market.
This summit brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and experts to forge a path towards a more skilled, adaptable, and competitive workforce.
Future Workforce Summit event agenda
8:00 AM Registration and Networking
8:50 AM Opening Remarks: Suzanne Wylie, CEO, NI Chamber of Commerce
9:00 AM Headline Sponsor Remarks: Gordon Parkes, Executive Director, NIE Networks
9:20 AM Keynote Address: Conor Murphy MLA, Economy Minister
9:40 AM Panel #1: ‘Good Jobs’ Employment Rights Bill:
- Mark Huddleston, Managing Director, jheSOLUTIONS
- Dr Lisa Wilson, Senior Economist, Nevin Economic Research Institute
- Stuart Anderson, Director of Public Affairs, NI Chamber
10:05 AM Keynote Address: Paul Healy, CEO, Skillnet Ireland
10:30 AM Coffee/Tea Break and Roundtable Discussions
10:40 AM Panel #2: Finding and Developing Future Talent:
- Richard Kirk, CEO, Workplus
- Kathleen O'Hare, Chair, NI Skills Council
- Anna Rice, Senior HR Business Partner, Energia
- Steven Norris, Deputy Director of Economic Development, Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council
- Carol Fitzsimons MBE, Chief Executive, Young Enterprise NI
11:20 AM Panel #3: A Skilled Green Economy:
- Gordon Parkes, Executive Director, People & Culture, NIE Networks
- Koichi Samuels, Head of Energy Strategy, Department for the Economy
- Louise Maguire, Operations Manager, Ionic Technologies
- Stephen McGreevy, Lead Business Manager for Business Services, South Eastern Regional College
11:55 PM Break - Roundtable Discussions
12:15 PM Panel #4: Adopting AI:
- Tim Bergin, Partner - People Consulting and Innovation Lead, EY
- David Crozier, Director, AI Collaboration Centre
- Dr Kevin Marshall, Head of Education, Microsoft
- Jordan McDonald, Director of Data Science and AI, Analytics Engines
12:50 PM Panel #5: A Healthy Workforce:
- Melissa Mackey, Head of Talent, Finnebrogue
- Dr Anne Devlin, Research Officer, Economic and Social Research Institute
- Naomh McElhatton, CEO & Founder, Dara & Co
- Ronnie Crawford, Managing Director, Calibro Workspace
1:25 PM Closing Remarks
1:30 PM Lunch, Networking and Roundtable Discussions
2:00 PM END
Your Future Workforce Summit host and speakers
Event Host
Naomi McMullan
Former Broadcaster & Communications Team, IntertradeIreland
A member of the communications team in InterTradeIreland, Naomi is a former business journalist and broadcaster.
She is particularly interested in making work more accessible for people with disabilities.
Event Speakers
Suzanne Wylie
Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Suzanne Wylie, appointed Chief Executive of NI Chamber in August 2023, brings extensive leadership experience from roles in the Jersey Government and Belfast City Council.
Her achievements include securing the £1bn Belfast City Region Deal, developing the Belfast-Dublin Economic Corridor, and chairing Innovation City Belfast.
Suzanne is committed to boosting Northern Ireland's economy and fostering business innovation. She holds an OBE, an honorary doctorate from Queen's University Belfast, an MBA, and is a fellow of the Institute of Directors.
Gordon Parkes
Executive Director - People & Culture, NIE Networks
Gordon Parkes, Executive Director – People & Culture, has worked for NIE Networks for 22 years. He has over 40 years’ experience in Human Resources across several organisations and sectors.
He is a Board Member of the Board of Trustees of the Grand Opera House Trust and of the Royal Belfast Academical Institution. He is currently Chair of the Green Skills Delivery Group established by the Department for the Economy.
Since 2013 he has been a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and, in 2019, was awarded Chartered Companion status by the CIPD Board. He holds a Masters in Business Administration, is a member of the Institute of Directors and holds a Diploma in Company Direction (DipIoD).
Conor Murphy MLA
Economy Minister, Department for the Economy
Conor Murphy MLA was appointed Economy Minister on 3 February 2024. Having first been elected to the Assembly in 1998,
Mr Murphy served as Finance Minister between 2020 and 2022 and Minister for Regional Development between 2007 and 2011.
He has also been a member of the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee and the Public Accounts Committee. Mr Murphy was MP for Newry and Armagh between 2005 and 2015.
Paul Healy
Chief Executive Officer, Skillnet Ireland
Paul Healy has led Skillnet Ireland since 2016, steering the organisation responsible for workforce development in Ireland's enterprise sector.
Under his leadership, Skillnet Ireland has expanded its mandate to include national leadership in SME workforce development and has been recognised as the top publicly funded talent development agency in an EU Commission analysis.
With 20 years of executive experience in financial services and the semi-state sector, Paul specialises in growth strategies, human resource development, and public affairs. He serves on various national and EU committees related to skills and workforce development.
Exploring the Future of Work: Our Five Key Panels
Immerse yourself in the core issues shaping Northern Ireland's workforce through our carefully curated panel discussions.
Our panels will cover the 'Good Jobs' Employment Rights Bill; Finding and Developing Future Talent; A Skilled Green Economy; Adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI); and A Healthy Workforce.
Panel One: The 'Good Jobs' Employment Rights Bill
The 'Good Jobs' Employment Rights Bill stands at the forefront of Northern Ireland's economic evolution. This panel brings together Mark Huddleston, Dr. Lisa Wilson, and Stuart Anderson to dissect the Bill's far-reaching implications for our workforce and business environment.
Our experts will explore the groundbreaking legislation's potential to reshape employment standards and how the bill aims to create an environment where quality jobs foster innovation, stability and growth.
Discover the delicate balance between enhancing worker rights and maintaining business competitiveness – a crucial factor in attracting investment and nurturing long-term careers in Northern Ireland.
Our panellists will shed light on the vital role of industry engagement in crafting effective policy and how the Labour Relations Agency plans to support SMEs through a phased implementation, ensuring that businesses of all sizes can adapt and thrive under the new framework.
What will you get out of this panel discussion?
This panel discussion will equip you with a comprehensive understanding of how the 'Good Jobs' Employment Rights Bill could transform Northern Ireland's economic landscape, positioning us as a beacon of progressive employment practices.
Panel Two: Finding and Developing Future Talent
Technology is advancing, market demands are shifting, and developing a future-ready workforce is paramount.
Our distinguished panel, featuring Richard Kirk, Kathleen O'Hare, Anna Rice, Steven Norris, and Carol Fitzsimons MBE, are here to explore innovative strategies for bridging the skills gap through effective collaboration between education institutions and industry leaders.
They will get into how initiatives like cross-border mobility and labour market partnerships can alleviate talent shortages and invigorate our economy and provide valuable insights into the transformative potential of apprenticeships and the strategic utilisation of the Apprenticeship Levy.
Our panellists will also highlight the importance of amplifying youth voices in shaping workforce development strategies. Understand how engaging the next generation can lead to more relevant, future-proof skills initiatives and a more dynamic, adaptable workforce.
What will you get out of this panel discussion?
This session promises to equip you with actionable strategies to attract, develop, and retain the talent that will drive Northern Ireland's economic growth for years to come.
Panel Three: A Skilled Green Economy
Our expert panel, comprising Gordon Parkes, Koichi Samuels, Louise Maguire and Stephen McGreevy, will explore the critical skills gaps that Northern Ireland must address to meet its ambitious green energy and decarbonisation targets.
With many businesses lacking confidence in applying green technologies, our panellists will discuss practical insights on how SMEs can adapt and thrive in this area and explore the pivotal role of upskilling and apprenticeships in building a workforce equipped to drive our green transition.
Gain valuable perspectives on how Further Education Colleges are evolving to deliver the necessary green skills, ensuring our workforce remains competitive in a low-carbon future.
This panel will also get into innovative approaches to careers advice, discussing how we can better prepare the next generation for the opportunities presented by the green economy.
What will you get out of this panel discussion?
From energy efficiency to renewable technologies, you will learn the key skills that will be in high demand as Northern Ireland pursues its sustainability goals
Panel Four: Adopting AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept – it's a present reality reshaping industries across the globe.
Our fourth panel, featuring Tim Bergin, David Crozier, Dr Kevin Marshall and Jordan McDonald, will demystify AI and its transformative potential for Northern Ireland's workforce and will highlight practical use cases, with a special focus on how SMEs can leverage this technology to drive productivity and innovation.
Today, AI isn't just for tech giants but a tool that businesses of all sizes can harness to gain a competitive edge. However, understanding how this technology is reshaping learning experiences and preparing students for an AI-driven future is also a key topic; our panellists will explore the fascinating intersection of AI and education, as well as AI's potential to bridge the urban-rural divide, creating new opportunities for remote work and rural development.
AI regulation will also be addressed, with discussions of balancing innovation and responsible use, including supporting AI adoption while safeguarding ethical considerations.
What will you get out of this panel discussion?
This forward-thinking session will equip you with the knowledge to navigate the AI revolution, ensuring your organisation is primed to thrive in an increasingly automated world.
Panel Five: A Healthy Workforce
Our expert panel, including Melissa Mackey, Dr Anne Devlin, Naomh McElhatton, and Ronnie Crawford, will explore the intricate connection between workforce health and economic prosperity.
Delve into cutting-edge strategies for promoting both mental and physical health in the workplace and learn how fostering a culture of well-being can lead to increased productivity, reduced absenteeism and improved employee retention.
Our panellists will, based on compelling data, discuss the tangible benefits of investing in employee health, and how a focus on well-being can translate into substantial cost savings and enhanced organisational performance.
Explore innovative approaches to work-life balance in the post-pandemic era, from flexible working arrangements to mental health support programmes, you will gain insights into the policies and practices that are shaping the future of work.
The discussion will also cover workplace design; how thoughtful office layouts and ergonomic considerations can contribute to employee well-being and productivity.
What will you get out of this panel discussion?
You will discover how prioritising workforce health can become your organisation's competitive advantage in attracting top talent and driving sustainable growth.
Visit our Exhibitors
Department for the Economy NI
The Apprenticeship and Sectoral Partnership team will be exhibiting at the Future Workforce Summit.
It will be an opportunity for attendees to learn more about apprenticeships and the role Sectoral Partnerships play in reviewing frameworks for Apprenticeships L2 – L3, Traineeships and Higher-Level Apprenticeships HLA’s.
EY
EY exists to build a better working world, helping to create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets.
Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today.
Finnebrogue
Finnebrogue is a family-owned business and the UK Food Manufacturer of the Year 2023.
We combine groundbreaking innovation, advanced high-speed production methods and artisanal values to produce fantastic food from our base in County Down.
Further Education Colleges
At one exhibition stand, you will find a number of prominent further education colleges in Northern Ireland including:
Belfast Metropolitain College, Northern Regional College, North West Regional College, South Eastern Regional College, South West College, and southern Regional College.
NI Chamber
We are a business membership organisation providing unrivalled access to networking, learning and accredited training.
We provide members with platforms to raise their profile substantially and act as a powerful voice which influences change for the better.
Join today to experience how we can help your business learn, trade, network and more.
NIE Networks
Northern Ireland Electricity Networks (NIE Networks) is the owner of the electricity transmission and distribution networks in Northern Ireland, transporting electricity to over 910,000 customers including homes, businesses and farms.
In the next decade, renewable energy will transform our electricity network providing a sustainable and more prosperous future for us all. We'll be hiring hundreds of people over the next months and years to make it happen.
Queen's University Belfast
Queen's University is recognised as one of the UK's leading research-intensive universities and has a global reputation for excellence.
The University has been a constant and stable presence for almost 180 years, through seismic political, constitutional, and societal change, and throughout its existence has made a major contribution to the development of the city, this island and its people.
Queen's has also been the catalyst for 100s of start-up companies that have been part of the university's £3.2 billion contribution to the local economy.
The Open University
The Open University is an expert in flexible higher education that fits around your working life.
More than 76% of our students are in full or part-time work, while 86% of FTSE 100 companies have funded staff on OU courses.
Employers including IBM, The Metropolitan Police, Unilever and many more recognise the value for money we provide, while students appreciate the range of affordable routes we offer.
Ulster University
We are a university with a national and international reputation for excellence, innovation and regional engagement, making a major contribution to the economic, social and cultural development of Northern Ireland.
With over 30,000 students and 2,700 staff across our campuses, our regional model is as unique as Northern Ireland itself.
Workplus
Workplus helps employers grow their own future talent. It helps employers work together to better connect with schools, collaborate on work experience & apprenticeship recruitment and increase social value.
Workplus supports employers across multiple sectors, from fast-growing SMEs to large multinationals.
