What does stepping outside your comfort zone have to do with building a successful career? Everything.

In this episode of Workplus, host Richard Kirk sits down with Paula Leathem, Head of Human Resources at NIE Networks, whose remarkable journey from clerical apprentice to senior leader proves that the opportunities that challenge us most are often the ones that shape our futures. From working in a newsagent at 13 to leading HR for Northern Ireland's electricity network, Paula's story shows how curiosity, respect, and seizing opportunities can unlock unexpected career paths—even if you don't have it all figured out at 16.

Whether you're a parent, teacher, young person exploring careers, or an HR professional, this episode is packed with honest insights about apprenticeships, career progression, and the future of work in the energy sector.

In This Episode:

• Why practical subjects and team sports matter more than you think
• The value of early work experience—from newsagents to care homes
• How Paula went from customer service to leading HR (without an HR degree)
• What NIE Networks offers beyond STEM: finance, IT, procurement, and more
• The future of green skills and achieving net zero
• Why AI won't replace people—but will change how we work
• The surprising role of cyber security in electricity networks
• Paula's advice to her 16-year-old self: embrace the uncomfortable
• What makes work meaningful (hint: it's about people)

YouTube Chapters:

00:00 - Opening quote: Don't be afraid to take opportunities

00:28 - Welcome to Workplus

01:09 - Meet Paula Leathem

01:20 - School days: favourite subjects and team sports

2:46 - Early work experience in newsagents and care homes

04:10 - Making the leap after school

05:14 - Starting as an apprentice at NIE Networks

06:22 - The challenge and reward of customer service

07:09 - From customer service to HR leadership 1

0:33 - Apprenticeship and graduate programmes at NIE Networks

12:03 - Opportunities beyond STEM subjects

12:56 - Green skills and the future of energy work

14:19 - Cyber security in the electricity network

15:34 - Advice to her 16-year-old self

16:27 - What's so good about work?

17:15 - Closing thoughts

Thanks for watching Workplus, the podcast that shines a light on the people doing good work across Northern Ireland.

Find more stories, resources, and tools to help guide the next generation at workplus.app

Know someone exploring their career options? Share this with a parent, teacher, or future leader.

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#CareerDevelopment #Apprenticeships #NorthernIrelandCareers #WorkplusPodcast #HRLeadership #GreenSkills #NIENetworks #YouthEmployment

🎧 Thanks for listening to Workplus, the podcast that brings real jobs into the light.

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What if the skills that define your career didn't come from a classroom, but from behind a shop counter?
In this episode of Workplus, host Richard Kirk sits down with Dr Caoimhe Archibald, Economy Minister for Northern Ireland. Dr Archibald shares how early work experience shaped her leadership journey — from part-time jobs that built confidence and people skills, to her current passion for apprenticeships as a pathway to real opportunity. This is a conversation about earning while learning, breaking down barriers to employment, and why the skills that matter most are often learned on the job. If you've ever wondered how great careers are really built, this episode is for you.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Early work experience builds confidence, judgment and essential people skills
• Part-time jobs teach skills that can't be learned in a classroom alone
• Apprenticeships allow Career explorers to earn and learn simultaneously
• Employers benefit from growing talent shaped for the real world
• Work-based learning builds practical confidence alongside technical skills

ABOUT THE GUEST

Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA serves as Economy Minister for Northern Ireland, championing apprenticeships and skills development across the region. Her own career journey began with part-time work that taught her invaluable lessons about confidence, people skills, and professional judgment — experiences that continue to inform her leadership today.

🎧 Thanks for listening to Workplus, the podcast that brings real jobs into the light.

🔗 Find more stories, tools, and guides to help young people and returners explore meaningful careers at workplus.app

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What if a boxing club could help change a young person’s life forever?

In this episode of Workplus, host Richard Kirk sits down with Nathan Lowry, Life Skills Coach at Monkstown Boxing Club. Nathan shares how the club has evolved from a traditional boxing gym into a powerful community hub, supporting hundreds of young people across Northern Ireland every year. From helping with CVs to building confidence and breaking intergenerational cycles, Nathan’s story is one of deep purpose and practical hope. If you’ve ever wondered what great youth work really looks like, this episode is for you.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Monkstown Boxing Club supports over 500 young people a year
• The club offers boxing, education, mentoring, and community programmes
• Nathan’s role focuses on employability and well-being for ages 16–24
• Confidence is a major barrier for young people entering work
• Employers often miss chances to engage future talent through work experience
• Nathan overcame low confidence through mentors and volunteering
• He now mentors others through Workplus and other programmes
• Youth work is about consistency, trust, and showing up
• Long-term funding is critical for real impact in youth services
• Seeing a young person grow is more powerful than any paycheque

BEST MOMENTS

00:00:04. “It gets me up out of bed every morning.”
00:01:14. “Everyone thinks it's just boxing. Our slogan is 'not just a boxing club.’”
00:02:43. “We interact with around 500 young people annually.”
00:04:02. “It started off in the local community centre as a boxing club.”
00:06:13. “The employer doesn’t want to hear from mummy. They want to hear from the young person.”
00:12:01. “There are probably two youth workers I could tell you, if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here.”
00:17:19. “They’re the ones who wrote the application and nailed the interview.”
00:27:29. “For me that was priceless, seeing kids come right out and be a better version of themselves.”
00:33:14. “We never expect young people to return as volunteers, but they always come back.”
00:36:22. “If you do something you love, you never work a day in your life.”

🎧 Thanks for listening to Workplus, the podcast that brings real jobs into the light.

🔗 Find more stories, tools, and guides to help young people and returners explore meaningful careers at workplus.app

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