Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED

Construction sector faces urgent decarbonisation challenge whilst Ireland maintains only 11% women in engineering unchanged since 2011 despite ambitious housing and infrastructure targets requiring diverse workforce expansion. Susan McGarry, Managing Director for Ireland at Ecocem pioneering low carbon concrete company, explains journey from Greenpeace member receiving Rainbow Warrior dolphin pictures to becoming youngest MD at 30 years old, how ACT advanced cement technology reduces clinker from 85% to under 30% achieving 600 kilos CO2 savings per tonne, why Irish regulatory system lacks assessment route for new low carbon materials despite ambitious National Development Plan targets, and how cancer diagnosis at 34 prompted reflection on policy passion over operational leadership. With expertise spanning technical concrete troubleshooting through European policy advocacy and member of Engineers Ireland Women in Engineering Group, Susan shares practical advice on visibility without egotism, why nice girls who don't ask get nothing, and how senior management diversity influences maternity leave, IVF cover and bereavement policies attracting retaining women throughout career pipeline.  THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Low carbon cement ACT reduces clinker eighty five percent Irish regulatory system lacks assessment route new materials Women engineering eleven percent unchanged since two thousand eleven Visibility senior management influences hiring maternity IVF policies Cancer diagnosis thirty four prompted policy passion reflection GUEST DETAILS Susan McGarry is Managing Director for Ireland at Ecocem, pioneering company developing low carbon concrete, expertly handling concrete procurement rules and public affairs guiding construction industry toward ambitious climate targets whilst scaling sustainable building solutions across Ireland. Passionate advocate for diversity as prominent woman in structures and construction sector historically low on female engineers, she uses platform driving inclusion highlighting systemic barriers women face from cultural challenges to logistical issues like accessible female bathrooms on construction sites.  Member of Engineers Ireland Women in Engineering Group, she joined Ecocem as environmental services intern in 2011 becoming youngest MD at 30 years old in 2020, now serving as Director of Public Affairs and Sustainability for Ecocem Global after cancer diagnosis prompted career reflection focusing on policy passion over operational leadership spanning European officials and global partnerships. Connect with Susan McGarry: Website: https://www.ecocemglobal.com/en-ie/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-mcgarry-73582542/?originalSubdomain=ie Ecocem Global MORE INFORMATION Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/    Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland. QUOTES There's still not enough women to see it on mass as a career choice. I think visually, it still looks quite male dominated, and that is off putting. My personal kind of goal would have always been to like help increase the visibility at senior management level for women in engineering, women in construction.  - Susan McGarry The state is the biggest consumer of concrete in this country. We do have procurement rules now where 30% clinker substitution is required. That's not super ambitious but we've gone from nothing to something.  - Susan McGarry I had a decision to be a generalist or specialist at about 26. The Chairman of Ecocem said I did this course in UCD in industrial engineering in 1965, it turned engineers into CEOs. You should have a look at that.  - Susan McGarry You get nothing if you don't ask, and if you don't have confidence, you kind of fake it. By being an open person to opportunities and being a helpful person that you'll take on workload.  - Susan McGarry When I graduated as an engineer in 2011, 11% of the engineering population was made up of women. In 2025 it's still only 11%. It has not changed. That's a very small percentage. When you want a network, you do need a network. You need somebody that you can pick up a phone to that's kind of like minded. Women in Engineering Group created that network. KEYWORDS LowCarbonCement #WomenInEngineering #SustainableConstruction #PolicyAdvocacy #CareerProgression

Successfully transitioning from university to a professional engineering career is a critical moment for any graduate, and the application process requires strategic preparation beyond just academic competence. Many students struggle to understand what employers truly seek in a new engineer and how to showcase their potential effectively. This episode unlocks the secrets to a standout graduate application, sharing direct insights on core soft skills like communication and teamwork, the role of mentorship, and the career growth trajectory within leading firms. Learn about the value of different-sized companies, from large-scale multi-office execution to a hands-on, personal approach, and the importance of professional development and diversity initiatives. Host Dusty Rhodes is joined by two exceptional industry leaders: Michelle O'Hagan, Group Graduate Recruitment Manager at PM Group, and Bill Bates, Director at DBFL. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Why graduate programs are essential Big vs small company advantages Soft skills employers demand now Successful career progression examples How to make your application stand out GUEST DETAILS Michelle O’Hagan is the Group Graduate Recruitment Manager at PM Group, a leading global project management and engineering company known for delivering complex capital projects worldwide. She manages the full graduate recruitment lifecycle across PM Group’s international offices, ensuring the company attracts top emerging talent. Michelle's extensive experience, including prior roles at Deloitte UK and Citi Bank, makes her an expert in understanding what drives success in early engineering careers. Bill Bates is a Director at DBFL Consulting Engineers, one of Ireland's leading civil, structural, and transportation consultancies. Bill is responsible for overseeing the Civil Engineering team and has extensive experience in the design and delivery of major infrastructure and development projects across the country. As a Director, Bill is deeply involved in DBFL's Graduate Development Programme and the career progression of their staff, making him a key resource for understanding the pathways to Chartered Engineer status and professional success within the Irish engineering sector. Connect with AMPLIFIED Website: engineersireland.ie Search podcast player: "AMPLIFIED" or "Engineers Ireland" Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and wherever you get podcasts MORE INFORMATION Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/    Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland. QUOTES Confidence, talking about themselves, talking about their other aspects, their engineering career is only at the start, so they have very little to talk about in that. But I want to know what they've done to date. Tell me about themselves. - Bill Bates The actual programme itself is a two year programme, but it runs in parallel with your job. So you're permanent from day one, you don't have to re-interview for a role on completion of the programme, which a lot of graduate programmes in our industry does. - Michelle O'Hagan  Be confident in your own ability, but be able to show humility and be able to listen to all others perspectives. - Bill Bates Communication going into project management, being a strong and effective communicator is essential. Being clear, concise and well structured  - Ena O'Driscoll KEYWORDS #EngineeringGraduates #GraduateProgramme #CareerDevelopment #SoftSkills #StandoutCV

Leaving Certificate students have an exciting opportunity to explore the diverse realities of an engineering career and discover practical strategies for success as they fill out their upcoming CAO forms. Ena O'Driscoll, Mechanical Engineering student at MTU Cork and Student Ambassador at PM Group, alongside Sean Ryan, Automation Engineering student at SETU and Student Engineer at Jabil, share their university experiences with host Dusty Rhodes. Early STEM encouragement, fostered through school programs and family ties, significantly influences career choices.  The discussion highlights the importance of paid internships for developing real-world problem-solving skills and building an invaluable CV. Finally, it offers practical advice for creating standout applications by emphasizing leadership roles, volunteering, and project work, while also stressing the need to balance academic demands with societal involvement through networking and mentorship via groups like the Engineers Ireland Young Engineers Society.  THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Engineering career choice STEM encouragement Paid internships practical experience benefits CV building leadership & volunteering standout Time management balancing studies & activities CAO strategy Level 7 & Level 8 options GUEST DETAILS Ena O'Driscoll is a Mechanical Engineering Student at Munster Technological University (MTU) Cork. Ena is an excellent example of maximising university studies by actively engaging with industry. She gained valuable professional experience through an internship and placement with PM Group, a leading international project delivery firm. Following her successful placement, Ena has continued her association with the company and the wider engineering community by serving as a Student Ambassador at PM Group, demonstrating a strong commitment to promoting engineering and bridging the gap between academia and professional life. Sean Ryan is an Automation Engineering Student at South East Technological University (SETU) Waterford. Sean is currently applying his technical expertise as a Student Engineer at Jabil, a global manufacturing services company. He possesses a strong academic background complemented by valuable practical experience, including previous work as a controls engineer at Integer. Sean is highly engaged within his university community, having served as a peer-to-peer mentor and senior mentor to support first-year engineering students. Sean is also Chairperson of the Young engineer society south east. Hailing from a farming background, Sean brings a unique perspective to problem-solving and engineering challenges. Outside of his studies and work, Sean is an active rugby player for both his college team and a local club.   Connect with AMPLIFIED Website: engineersireland.ie Search podcast player: "AMPLIFIED" or "Engineers Ireland" Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and wherever you get podcasts MORE INFORMATION Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering?  Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/    Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland. QUOTES My secondary school was actually really good in terms of promoting STEM. Every couple of weeks we'd have different people come in and talk about different areas - Ena O'Driscoll I'm on currently working as a controls and automation engineer student for Jabil healthcare, which is ideal because it's only two minutes walk from my college and I'm able to go in there part time and the hours are flexible which is amazing  - Sean Ryan We were given real work to work on from day one.  It started with helping other engineers, carried out a study. We were able to find that quadrant that was the problem and implement that change.- Sean Ryan I've always enjoyed Maths, Physics, anything problem solving wise. I've always wanted to be an engineer since probably around 14. I interviewed one of my dad's best friends who's a civil engineer. I got into the mechanical side because of my godfather.  - Ena O'Driscoll KEYWORDS Engineering studies, STEM promotion, student engineers, automation engineering, mechanical engineering, industry experience, internships

CAO students considering engineering careers receive invaluable insights from two recently graduated engineers navigating their transition from college to professional world through real experiences spanning pharmaceutical manufacturing, quality assurance, international project work, and leadership development. Jennifer Smith, Manufacturing Operations Engineer at AbbVie and University of Galway graduate with five Presidential Awards demonstrating flexibility of engineering degree across civil, materials, and pharmaceutical sectors whilst speaking at major events like Irish Times Higher Options and Engineers Ireland, 'Engineer your Career', alongside Denis Hardi, QA Engineer at H&MV and TUS graduate serving as current chair of South East Young Engineers Society, previous Thomond chair, and President of Young European Engineers demonstrating commitment to the profession's future, explain why internships shape career trajectories through hands-on pharmaceutical supply, precision engineering, civil engineering, and material science experiences. Also, how networking through Engineers Ireland Young Engineers Society provides leadership opportunities and professional connections across counties, and why STEM subjects are important but curiosity and resilience matter more than loving mathematics, and how graduate rotational programmes offer broad understanding across quality, global roles, and multiple facility locations. With expertise spanning manufacturing operations optimisation, quality assurance commissioning work, international project delivery from Norway to Finland, and professional society leadership, this discussion covers leaving cert decision-making without knowing your exact career path, four-year degree timeline for discovering preferences through internships, problem-solving as both most beautiful and most frustrating aspect of engineering, work-life balance setting boundaries whilst being compensated for extra hours, ambition progression through rotational programmes and online certificates demonstrating extra mile commitment, stereotypes not holding back women in mechanical engineering with 12 girls out of 98 increasing representation, and why attending events related to interests helps discover community curiosity before making decisions about future engineering careers. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Internships shape careers through pharmaceutical supply, precision engineering, civil engineering, material science hands-on experience discovering preferences. Engineering degree flexibility enables pharmaceutical, automotive, medical device aerospace careers with curious minds shaping any industry choice.  Networking through Engineers Ireland Young Engineers Society provides leadership opportunities professional connections across counties and internationally.  STEM subjects important but curiosity resilience matter more than loving mathematics with problem-solving training multiple solution approaches. Graduate rotational programmes offer quality global roles multiple facilities whilst work-life balance requires setting boundaries with compensation. GUEST DETAILS Jennifer Smith is Manufacturing Operations Engineer at AbbVie and graduate from University of Galway. Her career highlights flexibility of engineering degree featuring diverse experience across civil, materials, and pharmaceutical sectors.  With highly distinguished academic record including five Presidential Awards from University of Galway, she has earned platform as frequent speaker at major events like Irish Times Higher Options and Engineers Ireland; 'Engineer your Career'; event.  Her background offers invaluable guidance for inspiring CAO students and mentoring new graduates into professional world. Throughout episode demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical manufacturing operations including oral solid dosage tablet production, quality compliance regulatory adaptation, process optimisation for patient throughout, internship value across pharmaceutical supply equipment companies like AbbVie, Janssen, Pfizer, Kerry Group, precision engineering stainless steel component manufacturing, civil engineering silverworks exposure, and wire drawing material science environments whilst emphasising rotational programme benefits across manufacturing, quality, global roles spanning Dublin, Sligo, Cork, Westport facilities with Chicago conference networking opportunities across operations, finance, marketing graduate cohorts. Denis Hardi is QA Engineer at H&MV and graduate from TUS. His career focuses on quality assurance within engineering sector complemented by significant leadership roles within professional societies.  Demonstrating strong commitment to future of profession, Denis is current chair of South East Young Engineers Society, previous Thomond chair, and serves as President of Young European Engineers. His active involvement and leadership make him valuable voice for inspiring students and guiding recent graduates into professional world. Throughout episode provides detailed insights on international commissioning work spanning Norway electrical substation quality assurance ensuring company, national, and client standards compliance through Finland data centre electrical substation commissioning two hours from Helsinki, renewable energy background across combined heat power engines producing backup electricity for hospitals and hotels, on semi low voltage chip calibration diagnostics, Tyndall National Institute photonics research transferring data with light eliminating copper heat loss, analogue devices technical sales power electronics systems, and Engineers Ireland Young Engineers Society integration since 2021 providing community volunteering regional senior professional connections national Christmas parties across Galway, Waterford, Limerick, and European young engineers organisation international travel opportunities. Connect with AMPLIFIED: Website: engineersireland.ie Search podcast player: AMPLIFIED Engineers Ireland Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and wherever you get podcasts. MORE INFORMATION Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering?  Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/ Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland. QUOTES Opportunities are really limitless with an engineering degree. So I think for anyone with acurious mind of a curious nature, you can kind of shape your career to be any sort of industry you want. - Jennifer Smith I'm actually based in Finland now on site working on this project, substation, electrical substation for the data centre here in Kouvola, just two hour drive from Helsinki. I was in Norway before this project for like 20 weeks and just fresh in Finland at the moment trying to get this project across the line. Who knows where I'm going to be in a few months. I had a lot of internships around Ireland when I was studying but I never expected that i'll be staying in one company and then travelling around the world for a few months. It is a rich experience to say at least. - Denis Hardi I think internships will really shape the way you can kind of take your career. I did an internship with a pharmaceutical manufacturing supply company, one with a precision engineering company that manufactured stainless steel components, one with a civil engineering company, and one with a wire drawing in material science environment. Those were very different. Going into a civil engineering company I was in their mechanical team but I kind of got a taste for what silverworks was like and kind of knew then what I did and didn't want to do. From those ...

Managing billion-euro construction projects across multiple continents requires more than technical expertise—it demands strategic planning that can unite diverse teams around complex, evolving designs.  From Formula One theme parks in Dubai's desert heat to Sweden's groundbreaking European Spallation Source research facility, construction planning specialist Enda Grimes has spent two decades mastering the art of breaking massive projects into manageable pieces.  Now leading his own consultancy Strata, he reveals how digital rehearsals, AI-powered data analytics, and one often-overlooked foundational skill are transforming how Europe's largest construction projects come to life THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT How breaking mega construction projects into smaller, team-owned pieces enables successful delivery. Why engineering principles provide the strongest foundation for strategic time planning. How using digital rehearsals BIM models can safely plan logistics before physical execution on site How AI and data management are transforming construction planning Why communication skills and practical site experience matter for career advancement  The value of international experience and cultural adaptability in engineering career progression GUEST DETAILS Enda Grimes is Director and Owner of Strata, a construction planning consultancy he founded in 2016 that manages projects valued up to €2 billion. His career spans some of Europe's most complex construction projects, including serving as Head Planner for Skanska on the European Spallation Source (ESS) in Sweden—the world's largest research facility of its kind—where he developed contract programs for this state-of-the-art super-microscope facility. Previously, Enda spent over five years as Planning and Bid Manager with John Paul Construction/Absal Paul in Dublin, leading strategic technical submissions and commercial strategies.  His international experience includes planning the $600M Formula One Theme Park in Dubai and the €145M Criminal Courts Complex PPP in Dublin with PJ Hegarty & Sons. Enda specializes in translating complex construction requirements into executable plans using cutting-edge planning, modeling, and visualization technology. Connect with Enda: PUBLIC CONTACT DETAILS Website:  https://stratadigital.io/ Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/enda-grimes-86539a25/?originalSubdomain=ie MORE INFORMATION Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/    Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland. QUOTES Engineering is a really good base for time planning, and if you can understand the technical challenges and relate that to time, you know, you get a lot of respect. - Enda Grimes It's made up of multiple project teams. If you're able to isolate each component piece to the individual project teams and let them deal with them on a project by project basis, it's a lot easier. – Enda Grimes What is a digital rehearsal? It's about building something digitally and rehearsing it and then putting it in practice in real life... the whole purpose is to plan out those works in a safe manner, to make sure that it works.  - Enda Grimes I learned that sometimes to be Irish is a good thing in international projects because we're good at talking. We're probably have a good way about us with people, and you're able to bring different cultures together. - Enda Grimes I think practical experience is really important actually. There is a shortcoming in our education process at the moment. It's too theoretical, and that connection to industry is lost. - Enda Grimes KEYWORDS #Engineering principles #strategicplanning #constructionprojects #FormulaOnethemepark #Europeanspallationsource #projectexecution #timemanagement #digital tools #BIM #digitalrehearsal #communicationskills #career progression #internationalexperience #practicalexperience #leadership 

When Rana Plaza collapsed in Bangladesh killing over 1,200 garment workers in April 2013, two Irish engineers found themselves at the centre of literally redefining global worker safety standards.  Aidan Madden from Arup and Colm Quinn, now Head of Operations for the International Accord, reveal how they developed "optimal ignorance" methodology assessing 2,500+ factories at unprecedented scale, why poor concrete quality and overdevelopment caused the tragedy, and how training local engineers to think about existing buildings (not blank-sheet designs) represents a universal engineering challenge.  From paper-based inspections to iPad workflows managing 140,000 safety findings, discover the technical rigour behind transparent remediation programmes that fundamentally changed how engineers approach ethical practice in global supply chains.  THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT How Rana Plaza's catastrophic collapse in April 2013 killed over 1,200 people from overdevelopment.  Why Arup developed "optimal ignorance" methodology focusing exclusively on critical life-safety elements  How the International Accord inspected over 2,000 Bangladesh factories identifying 140,000 individual health and safety findings, with 115,000 subsequently corrected  Why training local engineers to assess existing buildings represents a universal engineering problem requiring mindset shifts beyond Asia-specific contexts How digital workflows transformed paper-based inspections into scalable remediation programmes  GUEST DETAILS Aidan Madden is a Chartered Civil/Structural Engineer with over twenty years' experience at global firm Arup, leading complex, impactful projects worldwide. Following the catastrophic Rana Plaza collapse in 2013, Aidan became a pivotal member of Arup's leadership team developing and implementing structural safety assessment methodology for the original Bangladesh Accord.  This monumental effort required creating standardised yet highly rigorous technical frameworks to rapidly assess structural integrity of over 2,500 garment factories—demanding first-principles engineering judgement at unprecedented speed and scale.  His work proved instrumental in identifying and remediating high-risk structural, electrical and fire hazards, effectively codifying ethical engineering practice for an entire global industry. For his extraordinary contribution to safety and social responsibility through engineering, Aidan received the prestigious Engineers Ireland International Engineer of the Year Award. Colm Quinn is Head of Operations for the International Accord, a legally binding agreement focused on securing safe and healthy garment and textile industries worldwide. Leading implementation and operational rollout of Accord programmes across multiple countries including Pakistan expansion, Colm manages technical capacity-building initiatives training local engineers—structural, fire and electrical specialists—on rigorous safety standards necessary for factory inspections and remediation.  Bringing strong high-level engineering foundations from previous work as Associate at global engineering firm Arup, Colm's career trajectory represents the crucial shift from developing pioneering safety frameworks to successfully scaling and sustaining them across global industries. His operational leadership ensures that technical rigour developed in Bangladesh translates effectively to new markets whilst empowering local engineering teams. Connect with the guests: Aidan Madden LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aidan-madden-91ab3a23 Colm Quinn LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/colm-g-quinn International Accord: internationalaccord.org Arup: arup.com MORE INFORMATION Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/    Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland. QUOTES The fundamental problem was that a building which was designed to be a five story building, and by the time it collapsed in April of 2013 it was a nine storey building. So it had been overdeveloped. They had put on additional floors beyond what it had been designed for. You have a building which is heavier than it's supposed to be, and with concrete which is weaker than it should have been. - Aidan Madden There's kind of a bit of an art and a bit of science to this. We need to spend the time that we need to do the assessment, but we have to be able to do it at scale. A colleague of mine had a great phrase which we reused today: optimal ignorance. It's like, what do you really, really need to know to allow you to define the actions, to define the meaningful things that will happen after your visit to make those buildings safer. - Aidan Madden The programme is quite unique in that it's dealing with existing buildings. There's no code that I know where existing buildings are front and foremost. This is a problem not just in Asia. Engineers need to be retrained or refocused to deal with existing buildings. It's not a Bangladesh problem. It's not a Pakistan problem, it's an engineering problem - Colm Quinn The Accord, combined with the RSC in Bangladesh, inspected over 2,000 factories and have identified over 140,000 individual health and safety findings, and of those, over 115,000 have been corrected. - Colm Quinn KEYWORDS #RanaPlaza #workersafety #InternationalAccord #structuralengineering #ethicalengineering

Brendan Kearns is a former chartered engineer at eircom who shares remarkable stories from our connected world in his new book Evolution of Telecommunications.  From Bell's accidental discovery of the telephone while trying to improve telegraph systems to Ireland's transformation from 50% manual exchanges in 1979 to today's fiber networks, Brendan reveals the engineering breakthroughs that built modern communications. His comprehensive guide traces the path from Morse code to AI and quantum computing, sharing tales of underwater cable failures that led to heat equation breakthroughs, why an undertaker invented automatic switching, and the cybersecurity challenges facing today's networks.  THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT How the telephone was accidentally invented Why Ireland's telephone infrastructure was decades behind in 1979 The engineering challenges of laying the first transatlantic cables How automatic telephone switches were invented by an undertaker Why successful engineering leadership requires small collaborative teams The cybersecurity threats facing modern telecom networks Connect with Brendan: Book: "Evolution of Telecommunications" available on Amazon.ie https://www.amazon.ie/EVOLUTION-TELECOMMUNICATIONS-Brendan-Michael-Kearns/dp/1068201509 MORE INFORMATION Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/    Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland. QUOTES We engineers, we're very inquisitive people. We do like to break things from time to time. That's necessary, but then you have to fix them afterwards. - Brendan Kearns Sometimes practice can come before theory. You can't wait for the theory to be written first. You gotta do things to make things happen. - Brendan Kearns The telephone was invented by Bell in 1876, but he wasn't trying to invent the phone - he was trying to improve the telegraph. - Brendan Kearns Engineering is the art of giving something flesh, in my opinion. - Brendan Kearns I always like to work on small teams, no more than four or five people, where everybody is completely engaged and where everybody is honest with what they know and don't know. - Brendan Kearns KEYWORDS #telecommunications, #engineering, #innovation, #cybersecurity, #career-transition  

In this episode of Amplified, Dusty Rhodes is joined by Eamon Daly, Director at Egis Engineering Ireland, to explore the realities of delivering Ireland’s most vital infrastructure.  From motorways and tunnels to Luas extensions and the future of MetroLink, Eamon shares stories from over 27 years in engineering. He explains the challenges of balancing deadlines, budgets, sustainability, and resources — while also highlighting the career opportunities for the next generation of engineers.  Packed with insights on leadership, mentorship, and the future of transport in Ireland, this conversation offers a rare inside look at how critical national projects are brought to life.  THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT  How major road and transport projects in Ireland are planned, designed, and delivered  Lessons from major infrastructure builds — Dublin Tunnel, Jack Lynch Tunnel, Luas, and MetroLink.  Overcoming geotechnical challenges: peat, karst, and precision bridge engineering.  Balancing deadlines, budgets, and sustainability on mega-projects.  Resource challenges — why Ireland needs more engineers and international expertise.  The value of mentorship, varied experience, and networking for career growth.  Future-proofing skills: opportunities in transport, rail, and sustainable infrastructure. GUEST DETAILS   Eamon Daly is a Director at Egis in Ireland and Barry Transportation - now Egis. Eamon has over 25 years' experience, specialising in Transportation and Traffic Engineering.  Notable projects he has completed work on include Luas Finglas, N22 Baile Bhuirne to Macroom and N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin. MORE INFORMATION Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/    Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland. QUOTES Sustainability needs to come into all projects – it’s business as usual now - Eamon Daly. Good mentorship is vital. You’re going to make mistakes, but there’s always a solution and it’s never as bad as you think - Eamon Daly Ireland has great projects and mega projects ahead – it’s a fantastic time to be a young engineer - Eamon Daly. Networking outside your organisation is always useful – we’re constantly talking to consultants, contractors and clients to see what’s coming next - Eamon Daly. I’ve always stayed involved in design because it’s something I really enjoy – even while leading and managing teams - Eamon Daly KEYWORDS #Engineering #Infrastructure #Ireland #Transport #Sustainability #CivilEngineering #MetroLink #Luas #Motorways #Tunnels #Egis #EngineersIreland #CareerInEngineering #FutureOfTransport

Engineers Ireland returns to the National Ploughing Championships with amazing engineering attractions! Visit the Team at Block 3 – Row 9 – Stand 205 to and discover virtual reality welding, the spacewalk experience and a Formula 1 car simulator. Explore biomedical marvels, and challenge a collaborative robot. Meet the Mark the Science Guy and the STEPS education outreach team, and look out for daily prizes and fantastic giveaways. Visit www.engineersireland.ie/Ploughing-Championships for more information. The National Ploughing Championships takes place in Screggan, Tullamore from 16 to 18 September. -------------- In this inspiring episode of Amplified: The Engineers Journal Podcast, aerospace engineer and entrepreneur Stephen Ringler, Managing Director of Space Store, shares his journey from working on NASA’s Juno mission to launching a space-themed retail and education company in the UK. Host Dusty Rhodes delves into Stephen's early fascination with space, his experiences navigating large-scale engineering projects, and the challenges of budget cuts in the space sector. Stephen also explores the power of inclusive space education, revealing how Space Store aims to make space accessible and exciting for everyone — from schoolchildren to corporate teams. Packed with insights on testing, risk management, active listening, and keeping passion alive in a demanding industry, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in engineering, innovation, and the future of space exploration. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Space belongs to everyone - not just scientists and engineers. Testing is critical: break it until it stops breaking. Communication and collaboration are essential in large-scale engineering projects. Active listening leads to better engineering outcomes and more relevant solutions. Drive and passion need support - from self-talk to strong mentors. How space innovation directly benefits life on Earth - from MRIs to climate tech.   GUEST DETAILS   Stephen has over 20 years of experience working in the Space sector as a Pointing Precision Engineer, Programmatic Analyst, and Business Developer. With his training that began at UCLA and his vast experience and network in the Space community, his aim with Spacetime Development is to provide top-notch business development support and engineering services to high-tech companies. Stephen enjoys exploring castles and playing board games, jazz piano and drums.  MORE INFORMATION Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/    Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland.   QUOTES "Break it until it stops breaking, and then we can send it to space." "The space industry belongs to everyone." "We bring space to Earth - that’s what we do." "Sometimes we solve problems that people don't have." "If you're ultimately trying to take human beings and put them somewhere else, everything that is part of a human being needs to be thought about taking them somewhere else." "If I lost either engineering or teaching, I think I would die a little on the inside."

In this episode of Amplified, we wrap up our special mini-series on sustainability with an episode discussing the importance of mindset shifts in achieving Ireland's 2030 renewable energy targets.  Henry Boucher and Terry Wilkinson, experts in renewable and civil engineering respectively, emphasise the impact of small changes in sustainability.  Terry highlights cost-effective measures like wildlife ladders for amphibians, while Henry focuses on early integration of biodiversity considerations in projects. Both stress the importance of community engagement, effective communication, and practical steps like reducing material use and measuring embodied carbon.  They advocate continuous improvement and collaboration to achieve broader sustainability goals. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT The need to move beyond technical fixes to sustainability mindset shifts How biodiversity can be enhanced through subtle project design changes The need to move beyond technical fixes to sustainability mindset shifts Designing infrastructure to cope with extreme weather Challenges in balancing safety, cost, and environmental benefit GUEST DETAILS   Henry Boucher is a Civil, Environmental and Renewable Engineering Manager at ESB. https://www.linkedin.com/in/henry-bouchier-271b6b18/# Terry Wilkinson is a Design & Application Engineer at ACO Water Management. As a Civil Engineer for ACO, Terry has focused his career predominantly on the highways industry, both in his 11 years at ACO and prior to this working as a client, consultant and contractor for Local Authority highways. He is a member of the CIHT and is working towards his chartered engineer status with CPD at the heart of this journey. His professional interests are focused on wildlife mitigation solutions and highway surface water management; however, he also has a broader understanding of applications for other areas such as rail, housing, commercial and distribution developments. Biodiversity and wildlife are things he is also passionate about personally and he is actively involved in initiatives such as local toad patrols. https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-wilkinson-beng-mciht/ MORE INFORMATION Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/    Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland. QUOTES We never get to net zero unless we have a wide variety of renewable energy sources, and then we have some backup — Henry Boucher, Civil, Environmental and Renewable Engineering Manager at ESB Often with sustainability, people have these massive identity, massive cost ideas... but often some of the smaller measures can really have positive impacts — Terry Wilkinson, Design & Application Engineer at ACO Water Management It's a mindset shift that has technical solutions. We just have to think a little bit differently how we do things — Henry Boucher, Civil, Environmental and Renewable Engineering Manager at ESB Everything in nature and wildlife is linked. If you have a decline of a certain species, it will have a knock-on effect to something else — Terry Wilkinson, Design & Application Engineer at ACO Water Management Do one thing right, and then you can go back and improve something else. Just improve one thing is probably the way to do it — Henry Boucher, Civil, Environmental and Renewable Engineering Manager at ESB KEYWORDS #SustainableEngineering #RenewableEnergy #BiodiversityInfrastructure #ClimateInnovation

In this second episode of our Amplified sustainability series, host Dusty Rhodes dives deep into the future of sustainable transport in Ireland. With the 2030 emissions deadline fast approaching, the focus turns to engineering, political will, and social change needed to revolutionise Ireland’s transportation system.  Joining Dusty are Professor Brian Caulfield, a leading transportation researcher from Trinity College Dublin, and Robert Sizer, Director of Engineering for UK at IESA, renowned for his expertise in major infrastructure projects like rail stations and tunnels.  Together, they unravel the real challenges behind meeting climate targets, from public acceptance to the transformative power of multimodal transport networks.  THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT The urgent 2030 transport emissions targets and what it will really take to meet them Why Ireland’s main transportation challenges are political and social, not technical Engineering solutions for decarbonising public transport: electric, hydrogen, and biofuels Real-world examples: Reimagining city spaces in Dublin, Madrid, London, and Barcelona The impact of major projects (metros, tunnels, and light rail) on urban life GUEST DETAILS Prof. Brian Caulfield, Professor in Transportation at Trinity College Dublin Brian Caulfield is a Professor in Transportation at Trinity College Dublin. Since joining the Department Prof Caulfield has embarked on an intensive research program addressing global issues such as the environmental impacts of transport and methods to reduce the carbon impacts of transport and in 2017 he addressed the Irish Citizens Assembly on this topic. He recently provided advice to the Climate Change Advisory Council on pathways to decreasing transport emissions by 2030. Prof Caulfield is currently a member of the Steering Group for the review and update of the GDA Transport Strategy with the National Transport Authority. Prof Caulfield has published over 200 papers in these areas and is also a member of a number of National and International research groups and is the former Chair of the Irish Transportation Research Network. Rob Sizer, Director of Engineering for UK at AYESA Rob is a Chartered Civil Engineer who is an experienced project manager in delivering large complex multi-disciplinary design projects. Rob is particularly experienced in managing and developing relationships with key clients and stakeholder. Such as London Underground, Overground and Thames Water and Crossrail. Rob has a strong technical background with over 15 years working across the civil engineering industry, and is highly experienced in the design delivery, process, standards and requirements for rail infrastructure, such as stations and tunnels. MORE INFORMATION Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/    Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland. Quotes "The real transportation challenge isn’t EVs—it’s humans. Social and political will, not engineering, are the hardest parts.” - Prof Brian Caulfield "If engineers had the money, we’d be building metros and light rails right now. The solutions exist—the bottleneck is delivering them.”  - Prof Brian Caulfield   "Sustainability isn’t just about the infrastructure; it’s about minimizing disruption for people and reusing space for public life.” -  Robert Sizer "Give more space back to people, and you change how cities work and how we live in them." - Prof Brian Caulfield "We need sustainability to be a contract KPI, not just a talking point. That’s how you get real change."  - Robert Sizer

In this episode of Amplified, host Dusty Rhodes kicks off a special mini-series on sustainability with a powerful conversation about engineering’s critical role in achieving Ireland’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He’s joined by Niamh Breslin of IDA Ireland and Richard Manton from the University of Galway.  Together, they explore the reality of decarbonisation, grid resilience, and the transformative influence engineers have—from infrastructure to leadership. With insights into green economy investment, education, and collaboration across sectors, this episode is both a wake-up call and a blueprint for a more sustainable Ireland.  THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT The central role engineers play in achieving Ireland’s climate targets IDA Ireland and their support of transformative investments in clean energy How University of Galway is driving change and embedding sustainability in education The importance of lifelong learning for engineers to adapt to a changing world The need for engineers to work with other scientific professionals, social scientists, and business leaders to solve sustainability challenges. GUEST DETAILS   Niamh Breslin is Sustainability Manager at IDA Ireland. Niamh manages the development and implementation of IDA Ireland’s foreign direct investment Sustainability strategy, with a focus on decarbonisation of the FDI industry, and delivery of IDA Ireland’s commitments to the National Climate Action Plan. Niamh has significant international experience and has successfully led teams in Dublin, London, Paris and Frankfurt. Niamh has a degree in Computational Linguistics from Dublin City University and a diploma in Business Management from University of Galway.  Dr Richard Manton is the Director of Sustainability at University of Galway, Ireland's leading university for sustainability and a National SDG Ambassador. He was previously the Registrar at Engineers Ireland and a Non-Executive Director at Bus Éireann.  Richard is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of Engineers Ireland with a BE in civil engineering, MA in financial management and a PhD in sustainable transportation. He is the current Chairperson of the Engineers Ireland West Region. MORE INFORMATION Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/    Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland. Further information is also available at RESEARCH.UNIVERSITYOFGALWAY.IE QUOTES There are companies in Ireland today that will see their Scope 1 carbon emissions reduced by 100%. This is real. It’s happening — Niamh Breslin, IDA Ireland Graduates are choosing employers based on sustainability. If your climate action plan isn’t strong, you’ll lose talent — Niamh Breslin, IDA Ireland Even with all of these ambitious plans, we’re only on track to hit about 23% emissions reduction by 2030. We need to be more radical — Richard Manton, University of Galway Electrification and public transport are the key. It’s not just about EVs—it’s about moving people, en masse, sustainably — Richard Manton, University of Galway We need engineers who can speak finance—who can sit with CFOs and show where the savings are. That’s how we get buy-in — Niamh Breslin, IDA Ireland KEYWORDS #SustainableDevelopmentGoals #NetZero #RenewableEnergy #GridResilience #OffshoreWind 

Engineering has always been about solving problems—but today’s problems are bigger, greener, and more complex than ever before. From cutting carbon in concrete to tunnelling under major cities, the pressure is on to build infrastructure that’s not just strong, but sustainable. In this episode, we explore what it really takes to deliver major engineering projects while meeting ambitious climate targets. We’ll hear how to lead under pressure, manage high-stakes decisions, and unlock career-defining opportunities through mentorship and curiosity. Plus, we look at how engineers can drive innovation from within—by asking the right questions, building strong teams, and embracing failure as a pathway to growth. Our guest brings over 20 years of hands-on experience across some of the UK and Ireland’s biggest civil infrastructure projects, including Crossrail, the Limerick Tunnel, and the Luas Cross City. He’s passionate about decarbonising construction and shaping the next generation of engineering leaders. It’s a pleasure to welcome Ross Cullen, Group Chief Engineer and Head of Engineering Services at Sisk. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT The importance of people skills in the engineering industry The challenges in working on engineering projects underground and underwater How sustainability and decarbonisation play a role in engineering today The need for innovation and continuous improvement in an ever evolving industry Career development and ownership, and the importance of being inquisitive. GUEST DETAILS Ross Cullen is Group Chief Engineer and Head of Engineering Services at Sisk. He is responsible for developing and leading Engineering strategy for the organisation supporting pre-construction and current projects under construction across Ireland, the UK and Europe. In 2018, Ross established an Engineering Services department in Sisk, growing a business out of the Civil Engineering unit and created an internal consultancy to provide construction engineering consultancy services to the wider Group Ross is a Chartered Civil Engineer and Fellow of Engineers Ireland and the Institute of Civil Engineers. His background extends from working on complex infrastructure schemes, where he has been central to the design management process. His experience extends across multiple sectors including Infrastructure, Civil Engineering, Marine, Data, Energy, Life Sciences, Commercial and Residential. Ross is passionate about sustainability and seeking out carbon savings in the construction industry. Ross is chair of the Sisk Low Carbon Concrete working group and is actively involved in several collaborations with industry and academic institutes to support the development of new low carbon concrete solutions. MORE INFORMATION Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/    Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland. QUOTES Be inquisitive, ask questions, because people are incredibly generous with their time if you ask the questions and you show an interest.  - Ross Cullen You need to take some ownership for your own career. You need to decide fairly early what you like, what you don't like, because it's important to rule out certain things. - Ross Cullen You learn from problems. You learn from what's caused you pain. You don't learn from what goes well - Ross Cullen Coming up with a good idea is the easy bit with anything… sometimes making it better isn't the right thing to do. - Ross Cullen Construction is a people business, and that's what makes it exciting. You meet different people, different skill sets, extremely diverse. - Ross Cullen

Building a stronger “Ireland Inc” means rethinking how we plan, deliver, and promote our engineering and infrastructure capabilities on a global stage. Today, we’re diving into how Ireland can overcome some of its most pressing infrastructure delivery challenges—from modernizing procurement strategies to fostering more inclusive and resilient engineering teams. We’ll also explore why staff wellbeing, visibility, and collaboration are now essential pillars of successful project delivery, and examine the persistent barriers facing women in the profession. Joining us is a chartered engineer and one of the youngest ever Fellows of Engineers Ireland, with over 20 years of multidisciplinary experience. She brings a rare combination of technical expertise and a deep passion for people, policy, and progress. It’s a pleasure to welcome Collette O’Shea, Head of Strategic Procurement for Ireland at AECOM. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT How personal values and purpose can shape career direction The role of creativity and continuous learning in engineering success Transforming Ireland’s procurement models for infrastructure delivery Work-life balance and the reality of burnout in engineering Women in engineering and the promise of AI GUEST DETAILS Colette O’Shea is Head of Strategic Procurement for Ireland at AECOM, she also holds the role of Project Director on several strategic infrastructure projects. A Chartered Engineer and one of the youngest individuals to attain Fellowship with Engineers Ireland, Colette has over two decades of multidisciplinary experience and has contributed to major public sector initiatives, including projects for the National Development Finance Agency, Irish Water, and Dublin Airport Authority.  Her academic background includes a BE in Civil Engineering from University College Dublin, complemented by further qualifications in project management, law, and coaching. A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Colette chairs the Women in Engineering Group at Engineers Ireland, where she works to support and advance women in the engineering profession.  https://ie.linkedin.com/in/colette-o-shea-8178391a  MORE INFORMATION Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/    Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland. QUOTES While there are rules in engineering, it's about applying them to the situation in front of you, which is different all the time. - Colette O’Shea I don't know if it's a problem. I think I prefer to think of it as a challenge. - Colette O’Shea We need to make the industry sustainable, and certainly in the infrastructure space, to make it attractive for companies. - Colette O’Shea One of the main things that I learned from burnout was that having it and experiencing it was the complete opposite of failing at my job. - Colette O’Shea You can make any mistake once and we will learn from it, but if you make the same mistake twice and don't learn, we'll have an issue. - Colette O’Shea KEYWORDS #Infrastructure #engineering #procurement #inclusivity #wellbeing #visibility #water #AI #burnout, #energy

What does it take to stay at the cutting edge of technology while also fostering innovation, sustainability, and personal growth?  Today, we explore how one global powerhouse continues to reinvent itself in Ireland through groundbreaking projects, strategic acquisitions, and a deep investment in people. From historic feats like the Ardnacrusha hydroelectric scheme to the rise of digital and AI, this episode covers the past, present, and future of engineering excellence. We’ll uncover how digitalization is revolutionizing infrastructure, and why a culture of continuous learning and collaboration is now more critical than ever.  Our guest began his journey as an apprentice electrician and rose through the ranks to help shape the future of one of Ireland’s most innovative engineering and technology companies. Now serving as General Manager and Head of Fire and Security Solutions at Siemens Ireland, it’s a pleasure to welcome Joe Walsh to the podcast. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT How the Ardnacrusha legacy still matters today’s engineering landscape  Building a career from apprentice electrician to General Manager of Siemens Ireland  Leveraging AI, digital twins, and automation to transform infrastructure Tackling global challenges like sustainability and resource efficiency Culture, collaboration & lifelong learning: a people-first approach GUEST DETAILS ​Joe Walsh is the General Manager of Siemens Limited in Ireland, a role he has held since November 2021. He also heads the company's Solutions and Services division, overseeing areas such as fire safety, electronic security, building automation, and smart lighting .​ Joe is deeply committed to advancing sustainable and digital technologies, playing a pivotal role in projects like the Shannon Hydroelectric Scheme and initiatives aimed at decarbonizing data centers through renewable energy and green hydrogen solutions . His leadership extends to standardization efforts, serving as Chair of the NSAI TC16 Working Group on Fire Detection and Alarm Systems, where he has been instrumental in modernizing Ireland's fire safety standards .​ Known for his authentic leadership style, Joe emphasizes collaboration, continuous learning, and innovation. His dedication to these principles has been central to Siemens' century-long presence and ongoing success in Ireland .​ https://ie.linkedin.com/in/joewalsh1965  MORE INFORMATION Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/    Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland. QUOTES Where is my passion? It's to take the current business that we have and the model that we have and bring it into the future. - Joe Walsh  We work really hard to create a sense of belonging and ownership. - Joe Walsh  It's not what you know today. It's more about how you learn. That's the real trick. - Joe Walsh  We have a term we use in Siemens, if Siemens knew what Siemens know. Experience is the sum of your mistakes.  - Joe Walsh  KEYWORDS #engineering #challenges #Siemens #infrastructure #fire #AI #digitaltwins #sustainability #innovation #leadership

Building in highly dense city centers presents a unique set of challenges—tight spaces, heavy traffic, and the need to preserve historical structures while meeting modern safety and sustainability standards.  Today we hear from an experienced engineer turned project manager who is an expert in navigating these complex logistics, from coordinating material deliveries with precision to ensuring that construction doesn’t disrupt the surrounding urban landscape. We hear how to safely excavate deep beneath a centuries-old building and what it takes to integrate modern engineering solutions into historic sites, along with the ever-growing importance of sustainability in engineering. Our guest today has nearly 30 years of experience in construction across sectors such as pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and large-scale commercial projects. He is a regional director at PJ Hegarty, John Gavigan.  THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Diverse and challenging projects keep work interesting  Mastering logistics in city-center construction Blending modern engineering with historic structures Making safety the number one priority of any build  The evolving role of sustainability in construction GUEST DETAILS John Gavigan joined PJ Hegarty in 1996 as a graduate engineer. He progressed within the company embracing new responsibilities and roles, completed several projects as Contracts Manager and was appointed as Regional Director in 2023. John’s experience includes projects across several sectors: pharmaceutical, city centre commercial, healthcare, semi-conductor, logistics, education, retail and PPP bids. He was the site lead for 10 Molesworth Street and Tropical Fruit Warehouse in Dublin city centre and the Zoetis project in Tullamore. Molesworth Street project https://www.pjhegarty.ie/projects/10-molesworth-street/  Tropical Fruit Warehouse project https://www.pjhegarty.ie/projects/tropical-fruit-warehouse/  MORE INFORMATION Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/    Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland. QUOTES The challenges are the things that you remember. That's what keeps it interesting. - John Gavigan Getting concrete trucks into the city centre location in the middle of the day during business hours, was very challenging. - John Gavigan It's knowing how to judge when there's an opportunity. - John Gavigan As an engineer who has evolved as a project manager in my career, you learn different problem solving techniques, you develop analytical skills. - John Gavigan KEYWORDS #engineering #city #projectmanagement #construction #logistics #trafficmanagement #safety

The engineering industry thrives on innovation and problem-solving, yet it continues to struggle with one persistent challenge—gender diversity. Women remain underrepresented, particularly in leadership roles, leaving many aspiring female engineers wondering how to break through. Today, we tackle this pressing issue head-on with insights from one of Ireland’s leading engineering voices. We uncover practical strategies for empowering more women into leadership, explore how inclusive teams drive better results, and reveal lessons from high-pressure projects like the London Olympics.  Our guest leads one of Ireland's most progressive engineering and design consultancies, and is a chartered engineer with a passion for change. It's a pleasure to welcome Atkins realis Managing Director, Martina Finn. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Meeting impossible deadlines on huge projects Necessary disruptions to provide long-term infrastructure Promoting diversity and inclusion in engineering  Embracing AI with correct policy implementation  Self-development and the power of reverse-mentoring  GUEST DETAILS Martina Finn is Managing Director at Atkins Realis and a Chartered Engineer with over 20years experience in the construction industry. She has been with Atkins since 2001. https://www.linkedin.com/in/martina-finn-a7400812/  MORE INFORMATION Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/    Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland. QUOTES With every major progression we do, there has to be some disruption and some sacrifice. - Martina Finn  The percentage of women in engineering globally has fallen since 2020 from 15% to 13.7%. - Martina Finn  The more diverse our workforce is, both culturally and in gender diversity, then the better solutions we can deliver for our clients and our communities. - Martina Finn  For anybody entering a company, get into a mentorship programme. - Martina Finn  KEYWORDS #Engineering #diversity #inclusion #mentorship #careerdevelopment #AI #projectmanagement #education #gender 

Often in engineering we focus on the technical, production parts of a project, but it is the people who make the projects. As a leader, learning to support those people is vital.  Today we hear from a prominent engineer who through his work in ground engineering, consulting, operations, HR and business, has gained many skills in managing and leading people. He believes safety, quality, inclusion and collaboration should be at the forefront of every project and combining that with purpose-led business creates the ultimate best outcomes.  Our guest today has almost 30 years of experience with one of Ireland’s leading construction companies and believes in adapting the construction industry to support diversity and sustainability. He is BAM UK & Ireland’s Executive Director of Ireland, Alasdair Henderson.  THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Transitioning from managing projects to leading people  Approaching safety with prevention instead of reaction  Working on public infrastructure such as the National Children’s Hospital  Sustainable design to support a net zero future Planning diversity and inclusion to create an accessible society  AI, robotics and material innovations for the future of engineering  GUEST DETAILS Alasdair Henderson is BAM UK & Ireland’s Executive Director of Ireland.  Alasdair joined BAM as a graduate engineer in 1996 and has worked his way up through a variety of operational and business leadership roles across BAM.  He is well known as an advocate of purpose-led business, believing that the best and most sustainable financial results are achieved when the things we build add value to society. He holds safety, quality, inclusion, and collaboration as key tenets of what makes a good business and is delighted that he sees all these things on a daily basis at BAM.   Alasdair is actively involved in policy development in the industry and is a fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, a fellow of the Institute of Quarrying, and a visiting professor at the University of Strathclyde.   https://www.linkedin.com/in/alasdairehenderson  MORE INFORMATION Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/    Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland. QUOTES The time you spend thinking most about safety is normally immediately after an accident. - Alasdair Henderson  It's one of the largest buildings in Europe. - Alasdair Henderson  If you start with a misaligned scope, it never gets better. It just gets worse and worse and worse. - Alasdair Henderson  You can absolutely make those environments safer, warmer, more welcoming by changing the way you design that infrastructure. . - Alasdair Henderson  Our industry is addicted to concrete and steel. If we want to get to net zero, we're going to have to do something around that. - Alasdair Henderson  KEYWORDS #Engineering #construction #BAMIreland #NationalChildren'sHospital #publicprocurement #sustainability #diversity #digitalization

Building skyscrapers is an incredibly complex task. From the complexities of designing foundations to considering wind forces, and working with multi-disciplinary teams in busy urban areas.  Today we’re joined by an engineer who worked on the design of Western Europe’s tallest tower, The Shard. We delve into the unique challenges she came across and the top-down construction method that was used for maximum efficiency, along with what she learned about the importance of relationships in the engineering space.  Our guest is an engineer, physicist, author and presenter with almost 15 years experience in the industry. It’s a pleasure to have Roma Agrawal, MBE.  THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT The historical significance of The Shard design  Challenges of building a skyscrapers foundations  Considering factors such a local disruption and wind force  Collaboration and team-work across multiple disciplines Why we need to shout louder about engineering success  GUEST DETAILS Roma Agrawal is an engineer, author and presenter who is best known for working on the design of The Shard, Western Europe's tallest tower. She studied at Imperial College London and the University of Oxford. Roma has given lectures to thousands at universities, schools and organisations around the world, including TEDx talks. She has also presented numerous TV shows for the BBC, Channel 4 and Discovery, and hosts her own podcast, Building Stories. Her first book, BUILT (2018) won an AAAS science book award and has been translated into eight languages. Roma is passionate about promoting engineering and technical careers to young people, particularly those from minority groups, and has won international awards for her technical prowess and for her advocacy for the profession, including the prestigious Royal Academy of Engineering's Rooke Award. She was appointed an MBE in 2018 for services to engineering. https://www.romatheengineer.com/ MORE INFORMATION Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/    Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland. QUOTES I really love the idea of responding to what's there. This building could only have been on this particular site. - Roma Agrawal  There's lots of different systems that have to work together to make sure that a big skyscraper stays stable. - Roma Agrawal  A building like The Shard, we predict might move about half a metre. What's key as a structural engineer is to make sure that we don't feel that. - Roma Agrawal  As a student, I don't think I ever understood how essential the skill of being able to work with other people is to be an engineer - Roma Agrawal  I think being enthusiastic about what you do is a big thing. I think we're all too modest. - Roma Agrawal  KEYWORDS #construction #theshard #site #management #wind #design #collaboration #engineering

From the rise of AI to the implementation of 3D printing and robots, the world is changing rapidly and can leave some engineers questioning their place in it all.  Today we hear from an engineer who is not only adopting, but embracing these new technologies as the leader of one of Ireland’s top manufacturing research organisations. We learn about emerging tech that is changing the game in manufacturing and why although this change can seem overwhelming, adapting is the best way forward.  Our guest has over 15 years Directing and Leading Organisations both in MNC environments and new organisational start-ups and is currently CEO of Irish Manufacturing Research, Barry Kennedy.  THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Keeping Ireland competitive with new technologies and automation IMR connecting cutting-edge manufacturing technology with Irish industries Creating a positive environment for innovation Lateral thinking and problem solving methodologies  The benefits robots and humans working side by side  GUEST DETAILS Barry Kennedy is the CEO of Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) and is responsible for setting the strategy, objectives, goals and direction of the company. He is responsible for the overall centre and staff.  He also owns modelling and setting of the company’s culture, values, and behaviour. He is responsible for building and leading the senior executive team and for allocating capital to the company’s priorities; for example, deciding where IMR spends its time and resources. Barry has over 15 years Directing and Leading Organisations both in MNC environments and new organisational start-ups from working in the following organisational roles including; CEO of Irish Manufacturing Research, Director in IIOT division, Intel, CEO of both Irish Centre for Manufacturing Research (ICMR) Ltd & Innovation for Irelands Energy Efficiency (i2e2) Ltd, Department Manager and senior manager of Manufacturing Quality in Intel, Chair and Director on several boards including volunteer boards such as Chair of the school board. https://ie.linkedin.com/in/barry-kennedy-a9a127b  MORE INFORMATION Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/    Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland. QUOTES If we're going to survive and thrive over the next number of years, we're going to have to adopt these new technologies so that it'll drive efficiencies in our manufacturing organizations and keep ourselves profitable, or we're going to be left behind. - Barry Kennedy  It is important for companies and senior leadership to ensure that they're creating enough space for their engineering teams to be able to think about how to solve the problems. - Barry Kennedy  I have seen that in a lot of companies over the years, where they haven't resolved problems. They've band aided them. - Barry Kennedy  I'd never seen the technology come in and transform so fast as AI has just done over the last 18 months. - Barry Kennedy  Engineers need to be prepared now to have lifelong learning. And that's the way life is going to be, because what we were doing today, in five years time is going to be very different, most likely. - Barry Kennedy  KEYWORDS #AI #transformation #engineering #manufacturing #technology #digital #robotic #3Dprinting #innovation