Talent to Thrive: The Newsletter for Ireland's Medtech Sector - December 2024

Welcome to the Irish Medtech Skillnet newsletter!
In this issue
1. Upcoming Courses: Driving Innovation, Transformation and Quality Standards for the New Year
2. Industry News in Ireland
1. Irish Medtech Calls for National Health Tech Strategy
2. Network Members Rising - Congratulations to the winners from Medtech Rising Awards 2024
3. Industry Insights - In Conversation with Annette Costello of Stryker, outgoing Chair of Irish Medtech Skillnet Steering Committee
3. Irish Medtech Skillnet in the Spotlight
1. On the Road: Site Visits to our Industry Partners
2. Meet the Team features Dr. Ann O’Connell, Head of Funded Projects for Medtech and Engineering, Ibec and Network Manager for Irish Medtech Skillnet
1. Certificate in Global Trade Compliance: Your Path to Industry Leadership

The future of global trade is here—and it’s waiting for you to take the lead. The Irish Medtech Skillnet, in partnership with the acclaimed Kemmy Business School at the University of Limerick, presents a Certificate in Global Trade Compliance (NFQ Level 7). This one-year, part-time, online programme equips you with cutting-edge skills to thrive in the ever-evolving world of international trade.

Why Now? Why You?

Post-Brexit disruptions and an evolving regulatory landscape have created skills gaps in Ireland, which present career-building opportunities for professionals who can navigate complex compliance requirements and optimise global supply chains. This programme is your chance to rise above the competition, master critical compliance tools, and earn an internationally recognised qualification that sets you apart.

What You’ll Gain

• Expertise That Matters: Learn to interpret and stay ahead of international trade regulations, ensuring your business operates efficiently and remains compliant.
• Problem-Solving Power: Gain hands-on knowledge to address real-world trade challenges, from customs controls to security compliance.
• Career Momentum: Open doors to exciting roles in global trade, supply chain management, and customs operations.

Programme Highlights

• Fully Online, Fully Flexible: Tailored for busy professionals, this programme delivers live online lectures, interactive workshops, and self-directed learning at your pace.
• Learn from the Best: Industry experts and experienced educators bring practical insights directly to your screen.
• Real-World Impact: Apply your learning immediately through case studies, industry projects, and peer collaboration.

The full programme kicks off in Januarym following an induction in December, and is open for enrollment here. Secure your place today!

2. End-to-End Sterility Assurance programmes return in January 2025

Responding to the growing regulatory demands, the Postgraduate Certificate and Masters programmes in Sterility Assurance, developed in collaboration with Atlantic Technological University and Irish Medtech, are the first of their kind in Europe. These programmes aim to shape the future of sterility assurance roles in medtech to meet the growing demands for sterility assurance scientists and quality assurance operational professionals:

Details:
● Both programmes are delivered by Atlantic Technological University, Galway (ATU)
● Postgraduate Certificate in End-to-End Sterility Assurance (L9): Learn more here.
● Master of Science in End-to-End Sterility Assurance: Learn more here.


3. Professional Mentor Training: EMCC Accreditation for MedTech Leaders

Enhance your leadership with our EMCC-accredited Professional Mentor Training programme, tailored for emerging mentors in the Irish MedTech industry. Gain a respected qualification following the EDelian approach, which emphasizes experiential learning in a psychologically safe environment using a robust curriculum focused on mentoring best practices, self-awareness, leadership, and ethical considerations.

Key Features:

• Tailored for MedTech: Practical insights into mentoring within the sector.
• Strength-Based Learning: Personalised strengths profiling with 1-to-1 debriefs.
• Flexible & Comprehensive: Recorded sessions, tutorials, and curated resources.
• Immediate Impact: On-site support, mentee workshops, and action planning.
• Prestigious Accreditation: Recognised by the European Mentorship and Coaching Council.
Delivered over 11 weeks with in-person and online flexibility, this programme equips you to lead, mentor, and inspire! Book it here.

Enrolment is now open for these programmes and many more on our website!

Maximise your 2025 Training Budget with our Subsidised Programmes

Irish Medtech Skillnet develops and delivers transformative, industry-led training solutions to help companies of all sizes in the medical technology and manufacturing sectors to grow and retain best-in-class talent, supporting the future success and competitiveness of medtech in Ireland.

Our training programmes are subsidised by the Government of Ireland and the European Union, saving companies an average of 35% on standard course fees, with minimal barriers to access. Whether you are a start-up or a multinational, all Irish companies can access our funded training programmes with no paid membership required.

View our 2025 Programme Catalogue here.

Irish Medtech Calls for National Health Tech Strategy to Secure Sector's Future

Irish Medtech, the Ibec group representing Ireland's multi-billion-euro MedTech sector, is urging the new government to implement a national health tech strategy to support the industry's continued growth. Key recommendations include expanding research capacity, embracing advanced technologies, and bolstering apprenticeship programs.

With employment in the sector expected to rise from 48,000 to 56,000 by 2028, Irish Medtech Director Eoghan Ó Faoláin emphasizes Ireland’s position as a top-five global MedTech hub, rivalling regions like Massachusetts and California. "Our sector spans 450 companies, including nine of the world's top 10 MedTech firms, with €16 billion in exports," he noted, adding that Ireland leads Europe in per capita MedTech employment.

Ó Faoláin warns that other economies are competing for MedTech investments, and a national strategy is crucial to protect Ireland's hard-won position and foster future growth. Read more here.

Network Members Rising: Congratulations to our award-winning Network Members and Collaborators

We proudly celebrate our network members and collaborators who have been recognised as exemplars for the industry at the Irish M edtech Awards at Medtech Rising 2024. Their commitment to continuous learning, innovation, and employee engagement drives success and ensures a thriving workforce. Congratulations to all honorees, including these Medtech and Healthcare companies setting the standard!

Ann O’Connell presents the award for Best Talent Strategy in Medtech to winners, Johnson & Johnson MedTech

Stryker were recipients of two awards: Sustainable Medtech Company of the Year & Best Diversity and Representation Company Initiative

• As Gold Sponsor of the Medtech Rising conference, Dr. Ann O'Connell was proud to present the award on behalf of Irish Medtech Skillnet for 🏆 Best Talent Strategy in Medtech.
• Winners, Johnson & Johnson MedTech exemplify talent leadership with vision, innovation, communication and employee engagement and are also committed users of Irish Medtech Skillnet transformative training programmes.
• The company is represented by Marguerite O Sullivan and Niamh Hunt who are long standing members of our Steering Committee. Congratulations to them and the talent development team at Johnson & Johnson MedTech, and also to the other worthy nominees BD and Zimmer Biomet.
• Congratulations also to our Steering Committee Chair, Annette Costello and her team at Stryker who also scooped two well-deserved awards on the night:
• 🏆 Sustainable Medtech Company of the Year
• 🏆 Best Diversity and Representation Company Initiative
• Overall Medtech Company of the Year was Freudenberg Medical - and our congratulations go out to the Freudenberg Medical team.

Industry Insights: In conversation with Annette Costello of Stryker, outgoing Chair of Irish Medtech Skillnet Steering Committee

As our long-time Steering Committee member and current Chair, Annette Costello, Principal Specialist - Technical Training Programs at Stryker, has helped Irish Medtech Skillnet to develop and implement a strategy to support learning and talent development in the Medtech sector, which will continue to drive competitiveness in the global market into the future.

Annette - Can you tell us about your role within Stryker, and the path that brought you here?

In my role I partner with business functions and/or global process owners to manage the assessment, development and implementation of broad-scale technical training programs that are aligned with the needs of the organisation. I provide strategic direction on the creation, deployment, and maintenance of training programs to ensure they are sustainable, measurable, and effective. My journey started with a diploma in Business Studies, and I went to work in London where I worked in HR and Learning & Development, primarily in the retail sector, and I also worked for a training and consultancy company in the finance sector. When I returned to live in Ireland, I was fortunate to start working for Stryker in Limerick in the Product Development department. My passion has always been for Learning & Development. Because Stryker has a fantastic educational assistance policy, I returned to education and obtained a First-Class Hons Degree in Training and Education from the University of Galway. I have held several roles in the HR Department, which allowed me to gain a comprehensive understanding of the business across the region. Currently, I work in the Quality Department, where I have the opportunity to support multiple global teams and projects.

In recent weeks, you have personally been recognised as a role model within our industry, and Stryker has received two significant awards at the Annual Medtech Awards: Best Diversity and Representation, and Sustainable Medtech Company of the Year. Can you tell us how employee engagement and talent development initiatives played a role in this success?

Stryker is one of the world’s leading medical technology companies driven to make healthcare better. We impact more than 150 million patients annually with our innovative products and services in MedSurg, Neurotechnology, Orthopaedics and Spine that are improving patient outcomes in 75 countries worldwide. Our positive impact is built on responsible, sustainable practices in every aspect of what we do. People are the heart of our organisation, and each person contributes their unique and diverse strengths to power Stryker’s success. We celebrate diversity and we believe strongly that the success of our company is linked to the growth, fulfilment and wellbeing of our employees. At Stryker, we have a systematic approach to attract, engage, align and develop talent, which we call our Talent Offense. This framework is built on attracting and hiring the best people, developing employees to maximize their potential, engaging employees to ensure they are thriving and connected, and aligning people to the right roles, at the right time. The success of this strategy can be measured by the fact that Stryker has been named a World’s Best Workplace for the seventh year in a row this year! We know that people who are motivated and offered growth opportunities will become the most loyal and productive employees. It sounds like a simple formula, but a people-centred strategy in practice is rare! We have found that our strategy of building on the unique strengths of our diverse workforce, is highly effective.

At a time of rapid change and evolution in our industry, what new skills needs are emerging and what skills are becoming less relevant?

The evolution towards advanced manufacturing continues to create skills needs in digitalisation and automation, and as a data-based infrastructure and data-based decision-making becomes integrated within other core functions in companies, digitalisation skills needs are also growing in cybersecurity, data warehousing, AI and data analytics - and this is impacting every department including Research and Development, Human Resources, and even Regulatory Affairs with the emergence of smart devices and increasingly sophisticated medical technology.

Transversal skills are certainly not new, but there is a new recognition of the fact that they are enablers across all organisational functions— and are becoming more critical. These include an ability to problem solve, a willingness to lead, commercial acumen, communication, and strategic thinking. These are increasingly viewed as critical to equip individuals to work effectively in a modern organisation. The publication of ‘Talent to Thrive: The Future Skills Report for Ireland’s Medtech Sector, 2024 - 2028’ by Irish Medtech Skillnet in 2024 identifies the skills requirement of Ireland’s Medtech sector and is a must-read for everyone in the industry. It provides valuable insights into the current state of the industry and highlights the preparations needed for the future.

What advice do you have for Talent Development Managers in Medtech who are striving to retain their workforce and keep them motivated and aligned with this pace of change?

I would advise them to avail of the rich support that is out there in the form of funded industry-led training for their workforce and cross-industry networking for themselves. This industry is resourceful and collaborative so they should discover what industry leaders are doing or find a mentor for guidance. Absorb ‘Talent to Thrive: The Future Skills Report for Ireland’s Medtech Sector, 2024 - 2028’. This report analyses trends and future requirements, offering a roadmap for companies to proactively address skills gaps. It serves not only as a snapshot of the current state of the industry but also as a strategic tool to help businesses prepare for the future.

Irish Medtech Skillnet has used the report to create industry-focused training programs that tackle the identified skills gaps. This approach ensures the continued growth and prosperity of our industry while unlocking the potential of our workforce. Once you identify your skills gaps, the next step is to take advantage of the funded, industry-developed, high-quality programs designed to close those gaps. It is also crucial to embrace the diversity within your current team by fostering a culture of acceptance and promoting lifelong learning to support and invest in their development.

What is the legacy you want to leave on the world?

After some thought, my legacy lies in empowering learners, fostering a culture of continuous growth, and aligning training with organisational goals to drive measurable impact.

“Growing talent is not about filling roles today—it’s about nurturing potential, cultivating passion, and shaping the leaders of tomorrow”.

Thank you to Annette for her time and her valuable insights!

Irish Medtech Skillnet in the Spotlight

Irish Medtech Skillnet on the Road

Promoting our transformative training solutions “on the road” is all in a day’s work for our team! In recent weeks, we’ve been invited to showcase our programmes at various events and network member sites around the country. Thank you to our hosts for inviting us, and for all they do to support continuing professional development and drive awareness of our programmes within their organisations!

• Boston Scientific Inspire Learning Week - Clonmel and Galway
• 2024 Award Ceremony for the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, TU Dublin
• Bachelor of Engineering in Advanced Manufacturing Systems Conferring Ceremony
• Professional Mentor Training Certification Ceremony
• Medtech Rising

If you are planning an industry or employee event that you would like us to attend, please get in touch! We welcome these opportunities to spread the word of our programmes to new audiences!



Meet the Team: Dr. Ann O’Connell, Head of Funded Projects for Medtech and Engineering, Ibec

As Head of Funded Projects for Medtech and Engineering at Ibec and Manager of the Irish Medtech Skillnet Network, Ann O’Connell oversees the funding, development, and delivery of over 100 professional upskilling programmes, ranging from one-day webinars to two-year Master’s degree programmes. Her role spans multiple sectors, including Research & Development and Innovation, Manufacturing & Digitalisation, Quality & Regulatory, Sustainability, and Management & Leadership. Ann is particularly focused on piloting and launching new programmes designed to address emerging industry needs.

Ann’s career began with a diploma in applied chemistry, followed by technical roles at the University of Limerick. She then spent 15 years at Intel, starting as a technician and progressing to Senior Engineer in a technical role. During her time at Intel, Ann had the opportunity to train in Silicon Valley and complete her honours degree in applied chemistry. She later earned a PhD in nanotechnology, which further fueled her passion for bridging the gap between industry and academia. These diverse experiences now inform her work in driving industry-led training, ensuring that it aligns with Ireland’s evolving workforce requirements.
Throughout her career, Ann has leveraged her transversal skills—such as critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving—which she identifies as essential for her success. These skills have enabled her to navigate career transitions and have become foundational in her current work, where she focuses on aligning workforce training with Ireland’s industry needs. Ann’s deep understanding of the role of technology, digitalisation, data science, and intelligent automation in advancing business practices also plays a crucial role in her current role, supporting industries focused on addressing global health and environmental challenges.

“As 2024 comes to a close, our focus shifts to planning an even more impactful learning programme for 2025. In collaboration with industry leaders and our partners at Irish Medtech, this year we have been guided by our landmark report ‘Talent to Thrive: The Future Skills Report for Ireland’s Medtech Sector, 2024–2028’ developed by the Irish Medtech Skillnet. This report provides a clear blueprint for the future skill needs of the Irish Medtech sector across five strategic pillars: Manufacturing, Research, Development and Innovation, Sustainability, Regulatory Affairs, and Human Resources. Published in 2024, the report highlights the critical need for agility, cross-functional expertise, and a workforce that embraces change. It offers us a comprehensive roadmap to address skills gaps and prepare for the challenges of 2025 and beyond.

This report is one of the key milestones in a year filled with significant achievements for our Skillnet network. In 2024, we launched, expanded, and enhanced our Leadership, Quality, and technical portfolios, developing flagship programmes such as:

• ‘Strategic Innovation for Senior Executives’, and ‘Bioinnovate 101’, in collaboration with BioInnovate Ireland
• A refreshed ‘Master of Science in Digitalisation of Manufacturing’, with new content and the introduction of
micro-credentials
• A ‘Master’s in End-to-End Sterility Assurance (Level 9)’, the first of its kind in Ireland and Europe, which has
attracted considerable international attention.

Most importantly, we met our 2024 objectives, delivering transformative training to a broader audience from more companies, and programmes than ever before. We are grateful to our partners for their ongoing commitment to talent development in the sector. My team and I reflect with appreciation on a year of innovation and success, achievements made possible through the collaboration of industry and academia.

Knowledge becomes truly powerful only when applied effectively, and continuous learning is essential—especially as the challenges facing our world become more pressing. The knowledge we cultivate today lays the foundation for the discoveries of tomorrow, enabling solutions for a better future. We are excited to continue supporting your advanced talent development needs through our 2025 Programme of Learning, as the Irish Medtech sector shapes its future, strengthens its success, and solidifies its global leadership within the evolving healthcare ecosystem.

Please feel free to contact my team or me if we can assist with your professional development”.


Thank you for joining us in this edition of Talent to Thrive, the monthly newsletter updates from Irish Medtech Skillnet for Ireland’s Medtech Sector! We look forward to continuing our journey of learning and innovation together in future and we plan to bring you these updates regularly.

Connect With Us on social media for real-time updates, industry insights, and networking opportunities:

LinkedIn: @IrishMedtechSkillnet
Twitter: @MedtechSkillnet
Facebook: @IrishMedtchSkillnet