Talent to Thrive: The Newsletter for Ireland's Medtech Sector - May 2025

In this issue
1. Thrive in 2025: Upcoming Course Highlights
1. Strategic Innovation for Senior Executives
2. Postgraduate Certificate in Sterility Assurance
3. Professional Mentor Training
2. Industry News in Ireland
1. ‘Empowering Women in STEM, A Gender Representation Study for the Health Technology Sector’ - report now available online
2. How the Medtech Industry is Upskilling for the Digital Revolution
3. STEM Skills: Ireland’s Superpower in a Volatile Global Market
3. Industry Insights - In Conversation with Pádhraic McGinn, outgoing Chair of the Board of Irish Medtech, and Chief Executive Officer of Mergon Group
4. Irish Medtech Skillnet in the Spotlight
1. On the Road: Upcoming Site Visits to our Industry Partners1. A Must-Have for Innovation Leaders: Strategic Innovation for Senior Executives

In an era where innovation is the currency of competitive advantage, Ireland’s medtech and life sciences sectors are being called upon to raise the bar.

Following a successful pilot in 2024, the “Strategic Innovation for Senior Executives” programme is now re-open for bookings through Irish Medtech Skillnet, delivering a powerful blueprint for future-focused leaders investing in R&D and innovation. Built on Stanford University’s globally recognised Biodesign methodology, this course is essential for C-suite and senior-level leaders. It offers an immersive, three-day programme that demystifies innovation strategy and translates it into a practical system for leading breakthrough solutions in complex, regulated environments. Whether you are driving next-gen medical devices, diagnostics, or digital health technologies, the programme equips executives with a systematic approach to identifying unmet needs, validating concepts, and aligning innovation strategy with commercial goals.

Delivered by an international faculty of seasoned Biodesign educators and medtech entrepreneurs, the programme introduces global best practices and challenges participants to think creatively while managing risk, resources, and regulation — the trifecta that defines success in today’s medtech landscape. “Industry leaders told us they needed tools to unlock innovation in a disciplined and repeatable way,” says Ann O’Connell, of Irish Medtech Skillnet, “and this programme answers that call — bringing the gold standard of innovation education to Ireland’s doorstep.” The programme also creates a high-calibre peer network of innovators, offering a rare opportunity to collaborate with like-minded senior executives tackling similar challenges across the medtech ecosystem.

Pilot participants from 2024 provided detailed feedback which was overwhelmingly positive:

For organisations committed to embedding innovation at the core of their culture, this programme offers more than training — it is a strategic investment in leadership capability. Spaces are limited, and early booking is strongly encouraged. Reserve your place now, and position your leadership team at the cutting edge of strategic innovation. Explore the Programme.

2. Sterility Starts Here: The Postgraduate Certificate Setting the New Standard in Medtech Safety

With the medtech sector under increasing pressure to deliver safe, effective, and globally compliant products, and device design and global supply chains becoming ever more complex, the need for highly skilled sterility professionals is growing fast.

Enter the Postgraduate Certificate in End-to-End Sterility Assurance (L9) — a specialist programme developed by Irish Medtech Skillnet in partnership with Atlantic Technological University Galway (ATU) and Irish Medtech’s Sterility Forum.

Across two semesters, participants will dive into industrial Microbiology, Cleanroom Technology, GMP & Water Systems, Terminal Sterilisation Technologies, Global Sterilisation Trends and Quality Management, Regulatory Affairs & Biocompatibility, but this programme is more than theoretical—it’s real-world focused. Delivered by both academic leaders and industry veterans, the course includes online lectures, interactive group projects, case studies, and practical site visits to leading medtech facilities. With a flexible, blended delivery format, it's ideal for working professionals who want to upskill without stepping off the career ladder.

This Level 9 qualification empowers learners with the technical mastery and critical thinking skills to lead sterility programmes in line with evolving global standards and is also an effective springboard to the new MSc in End-to-End Sterility Assurance, for those who want to take their expertise even further. Applications now open here.

3. Elevate Performance Through Mentorship: Book Professional Mentor Training (EMCC)

In any dynamic industry, effective mentorship is pivotal for cultivating talent and driving innovation. The Professional Mentor Training (EMCC) programme, developed by Irish Medtech Skillnet in collaboration with EDelia Group, is tailored for emerging leaders in management roles. This comprehensive course equips participants with the skills to mentor effectively, fostering personal and professional growth within their teams.

Key Features:

• Accreditation Options: Choose from various accreditation levels, including the EMCC Quality Award in Mentoring at Diploma level and Professional Mentor at Foundation or Practitioner levels, accommodating different experience and commitment levels.

• Experiential Learning: Engage in hands-on activities, group discussions, and interactive exercises led by expert facilitators, ensuring practical application of mentoring theories and models.

• Personalised Development: Benefit from a personalised strengths profile and one-to-one debrief sessions to identify and leverage your unique strengths in your mentoring role.

• Flexible Delivery: The 11-week blended learning schedule includes in-person workshops and online sessions, accommodating the demands of busy professionals.

This Irish Medtech Skillnet programme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.
By completing this programme, participants will be adept at applying mentoring skills to enhance the development of their mentees, and ready to step into leadership roles within your organisation. Learn more about it here.

Maximise your 2025 Training Budget with our Subsidised Programmes

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

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

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. View our 2025 Programme Catalogue here.

In case you missed it - Empowering Women in STEM: A Gender Representation Study for the Health Technology Sector is now available online

Last month, we announced the launch of an impactful new report from Irish Medtech Skillnet, First Polymer Training Skillnet, and Connected Health Skillnet, which highlighted the crucial role of upskilling in addressing the ongoing gender imbalance in Ireland’s STEM sectors. The ‘Empowering Women in STEM’ report presents a detailed analysis of gender representation challenges and solutions within the health technology industry.

At the launch, Dr Ann O’Connell, Head of Funded Projects for Medtech and Engineering at Ibec, and Network Manager for Irish Medtech Skillnet, said: “This report re-emphasises the need for gender equity across the Health Technology sectors, and offers informed insights to support companies in developing an effective gender representation strategy. The underrepresentation of women and girls in STEM is a lost opportunity for innovation, growth, and global impact at a time when the world faces unprecedented health challenges. As the sector continues to expand, this report will serve as a key resource, guiding efforts toward fostering a more balanced representation of gender within the health technology ecosystem.”

This report comes at a pivotal time of expansion for Ireland’s STEM industries. The study found that despite a skills shortage in the sector, women remain significantly underrepresented, especially in leadership and technical roles. While the number of female STEM graduates in Ireland is increasing, just one in four STEM professionals in the workforce are women. This disparity is even more pronounced for leadership roles, where women hold just 19% of CEO positions in large enterprises. Read or download the report here.

How the Medtech Industry is Readying for the Digital Revolution

As Ireland’s medtech sector navigates a wave of digital disruption, the call for future-ready talent has never been louder. With technologies like AI, digital twins, machine learning, and real-time data analytics redefining manufacturing, the skills gap is now a strategic challenge.

A recent Silicon Republic feature highlighted this “ripple effect” — a fast-moving transformation sweeping across life sciences and medtech. Companies are under pressure to integrate digital tools while maintaining world-class quality and compliance, but doing this demands new thinking, new processes, and new skills.

That’s where the robust suite of digitalisation supports from Irish Medtech Skillnet comes in. May 2025 saw the commencement of the sold-out Digital Transformation Simplified programme, designed to equip participants with the skills to lead successful digital transformation initiatives within the Medtech industry. The MSc in Digitalisation of Manufacturing offers equally relevant training on the technical side. Delivered in partnership with TUS Limerick and industry leaders, this part-time Level 9 programme is tailored for working professionals ready to implement and benefit from automation and digital transformation.

Covering smart manufacturing, AI, data analytics, cybersecurity, and digital twin technologies, the programme equips participants with the technical knowledge and strategic mindset needed to thrive in today’s complex production environments. Modules from the programme are also available as stand-alone microcredentials. This flexible delivery model allows learners to focus on the areas where there are skills gaps, and directly impact the digital transformational goals of the business. Applications for the next intake will be announced soon, but you can explore the MSc in Digitalisation of Manufacturing here.

STEM Skills: Ireland’s Superpower in a Volatile Global Market

Ireland’s economic resilience has long been tied to its ability to attract and grow high-tech industries — but sustaining that growth will depend on something even more vital: a robust pipeline of STEM talent.

A recent Business Plus feature (“STEM skills even more critical to Ireland amid global trade instability” May 2025) calls attention to the rising urgency of skills development in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics following an expansive study conducted by Interactions Research. As the global race for talent intensifies, Ireland’s medtech and life sciences sectors are under pressure to scale both innovation and workforce capability at pace.

Industry experts warn that while Ireland has made major strides in fostering STEM careers, more needs to be done to future-proof the talent pool — particularly as digital transformation reshapes manufacturing, supply chains, and regulatory environments.

That’s where industry-aligned upskilling initiatives like those from Irish Medtech Skillnet are stepping in with impact. Flagship programmes such as the Masters and Postgraduate Certificate in Sterility Assurance, the Masters in Medical Technology Regulatory Affairs, Bioinnovate Innovation Programmes and Digitalisation programmes offer highly-technical, sector-specific training in the kind of competencies flagged in the article as essential for national competitiveness. In sectors where change is the only constant, technical depth and cross-disciplinary fluency are no longer “nice to have” — they’re the foundation of Ireland’s continued success as a global innovation hub.

STEM capability is not just about filling today’s roles — it’s about unlocking tomorrow’s breakthroughs. For medtech leaders building for the long term, the smartest investment may be in the skills that make it all possible.

Irish Medtech Skillnet in the SpotlightIrish Medtech Skillnet on the Road
Promoting our transformative training solutions “on the road” is all in a day’s work for our team! These events keep us close to our industry audience and drive awareness of our industry-led, funded programmes which attendees can avail of.

If you’re planning an event or career day to support continuing professional development for your employees, we would love to have a stand there! We can also participate in industry events as speakers or panel participants. Here’s how our 2025 Tour schedule is shaping up. Please get in touch if we can add your event to the list.

• We’re looking forward to attending the BioInnovate Symposium on 5th June at the University of Galway, where we’ll be on hand to share information about our upcoming Strategic Innovation for Senior Executives programme, starting this October.
• We’ll be exhibiting at Irish Medtech’s Future-Ready Manufacturing: Skills, Training & Innovation event in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone on 18^th June.
• We will exhibit at Medical Technology Ireland on 24 & 25 September 2025 at the Galway Racecourse.
• We will be sponsoring Irish Medtech’s Medtech Rising on Thursday, 4 December 2025, in the Galmont Hotel, Galway.



Industry Insights: An interview with Pádhraic McGinn

Pádhraic McGinn is the outgoing Chair of the Board of Irish Medtech, and Chief Executive Officer of Mergon Group, a leading Irish manufacturing solutions company specialising in Healthcare, Industrial & Automotive product sectors with a 6-plant global presence across the EU and North America. Headquartered in Westmeath, Mergon Healthcare designs & manufactures precision blow moulded & injection moulded components, device assemblies and sterile medical devices (Class 1).

Pádhraic has formerly held executive leadership positions over the past 30 years with Jabil, Wyeth, Organon & Allergan, supporting global Medical Device, Pharmaceutical, Diagnostics & Diversified product operations. He has extensive experience in small and large molecule processes, plastics, precision mechanical and electronic devices. He also has an exceptional track record in delivering multi-site business transformation using Shingo principles, people engagement, continuous improvement & digital factory systems.

Pádhraic is a Fellow member of Engineers Ireland & holds a Dip Eng from TUD, BSc Eng Degree, Trinity College & an MBA, University of Limerick. Padhraic has served on the Irish Medtech Association Board since 2016 and previously chaired the Manufacturing Medtech taskforce supporting the MOR model and manufacturing conference network activities.

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Pádhraic to discuss his insights on leadership, business transformation, challenges and opportunities for the Medtech sector, and the role of talent and skills development for industry in the future.

Pádhraic, can you tell us about your current role within Mergon and the path that brought you there?

I currently serve as CEO of Mergon Group, a global leader in plastics engineering with operations across five countries. I stepped into this role in September 2023, following the retirement of Mergon’s founder, Pat Beirne. My journey to Mergon has been shaped by over 25 years of leadership in the Medtech and Pharmaceutical sectors. I’ve worked across a range of manufacturing environments – always with a focus on operational excellence, people engagement, and digital transformation. The opportunity to lead Mergon, a company with such a strong culture of innovation and values-driven leadership, was a natural next step.

As CEO of Mergon and former Chair of the Board of Irish Medtech, you have vast leadership experience. How has your leadership philosophy evolved over time? What core principles guide your decision-making, and how do you inspire innovation and transformation within your teams?

My leadership philosophy has evolved from a focus on operational efficiency to a more holistic view that places people and purpose at the centre. Early in my career, I was deeply focused on systems and performance metrics. Over time, I’ve come to understand that sustainable transformation is only possible when people are fully engaged and aligned with a shared vision. The Shingo principles have been instrumental in shaping this approach, particularly the emphasis on respect for every individual and leading with humility. I strive to create an environment where innovation is not only encouraged but expected, and where teams feel empowered to challenge the status quo.

With your deep industry expertise, what do you foresee as the biggest opportunities and challenges facing the medtech, engineering and manufacturing sector in the next 5-10 years?

The Medtech, engineering, and manufacturing sectors are on the cusp of significant transformation. Key opportunities lie in:

• Personalised healthcare and the integration of digital health technologies.

• Sustainable manufacturing practices driven by regulatory and consumer demand.

• AI and automation, which will redefine productivity and product development.

However, these opportunities come with challenges: talent shortages, cybersecurity risks, and the need for agile supply chains. Companies that can strike a balance between innovation and resilience will be best positioned to thrive.

Given your track record in business transformation using Shingo principles, people engagement, and digital factory systems, what key areas do you see as crucial for further digitalisation in the medtech, engineering and manufacturing sectors? How must companies like Mergon, as exemplars in the industry, stay agile in adapting to technological advancements and evolving market demands?

Digitalisation is no longer optional — it’s foundational. Key areas include:

• Smart factory systems that integrate IoT, AI, and real-time analytics.

• Digital twins for product and process simulation.

• Predictive maintenance and quality control using machine learning.

At Mergon, we’re investing in these technologies while maintaining a strong focus on people. Agility comes from a culture that embraces change, continuous learning, and cross-functional collaboration. Our focus on these principles ensures that digital transformation is aligned with our core values and not just a tech upgrade.

In the context of the Talent to Thrive Future Skills Report, what is your perspective on the key skills and competencies that the Medtech sector will need in the coming years, especially in the age of AI? How do you see AI shaping workforce development, and what steps should industry and educational institutions take to ensure the workforce is prepared for these advancements?

The Talent to Thrive Future Skills Report, launched last year, highlights the growing importance of digital fluency, critical thinking, and adaptability. It outlines that over the coming years, the Medtech, engineering, and manufacturing sectors will undergo massive transformation. Personalised healthcare, AI-driven diagnostics, smart automation, and sustainable manufacturing are transforming what’s possible in terms of innovation, efficiency, and patient outcomes.

In the age of AI, Medtech organisations need a workforce that can:

• Collaborate with intelligent systems.

• Interpret data-driven insights.

• Innovate in increasingly complex environments.

AI will augment human capabilities, not replace them. Industry and education must work together to embed these competencies early — through curriculum reform, apprenticeships, and lifelong learning pathways. At Mergon, we’re already partnering with educational institutions to shape future-ready talent. Ireland is well-positioned to lead in these areas.

From an overall Ireland standpoint, Irish Medtech Skillnet is also positioning their offering to help businesses not just adopt new technologies, but embed them in ways that are sustainable and people-led. The new ‘Digital Transformation Simplified’ programme, launched this May, is an example of practical support on offer with a programme developed to help businesses not just adopt new technologies, but embed them in ways that are sustainable and people-led.

Ultimately, companies that invest in their people and their systems while staying agile, data-driven, and open to continuous improvement will be the ones that lead the way.

You’ve had significant involvement with Skillnet networks over the years. How do you believe these networks have contributed to the growth and development of the Medtech sector? What is your view on the future role of Skillnet Ireland in supporting the continuing professional development of the workforce, especially in the context of evolving industry needs?

Skillnet Ireland has been a cornerstone in upskilling the medtech workforce long before AI was the commonplace word it is today. Through targeted training, industry collaboration, and responsiveness to emerging needs, Skillnet has helped companies like Mergon stay competitive. Looking ahead, its role will be even more critical. As technologies evolve, Skillnet can act as a bridge — translating industry needs into actionable learning programs and supporting SMEs in particular, who may lack internal training infrastructure.

In the future, Skillnet Ireland will continue to be a vital resource for workforce development. As new technologies emerge, Skillnet can facilitate the transfer of knowledge and best practices across the industry. By supporting SMEs, Skillnet ensures that smaller companies have access to the training and resources needed to compete in a rapidly changing landscape. The continued collaboration between Skillnet, industry, and educational institutions will be essential for driving innovation and maintaining a skilled workforce.

Talent attraction and retention are critical issues in advanced manufacturing. What specific strategies have you found to be most effective in building, training, and retaining a skilled workforce at Mergon? How can educational institutions and training networks, such as Skillnet Ireland, play a role in addressing these challenges?

At Mergon, we take a holistic and proactive approach to building, training, and retaining a skilled workforce. Our people strategy is anchored in four key pillars: Management and Leadership , Employee Experience, Talent & Skills and Future Organisation Design. We foster a workplace where people feel connected to a meaningful purpose and empowered to contribute to innovation and sustainability. Through structured learning pathways, mentoring, and leadership development, we ensure our people are constantly growing. We support hybrid work models and cultivate a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

A cornerstone of our talent strategy is the Mergon GROW programme, which supports internal mobility by helping employees identify career pathways within the organisation and access the training and mentorship needed to progress. This not only boosts retention but also ensures we’re developing talent from within.

We also invest heavily in Apprenticeship programmes, which provide hands-on, real-world experience to early-career professionals. These programmes are vital for bridging the skills gap and attracting young talent into advanced manufacturing.

Educational institutions and training networks like Skillnet Ireland play a crucial role in this ecosystem. By aligning curricula with industry needs, offering work-based learning opportunities, and promoting manufacturing as a high-tech, future-focused career, they help ensure a steady pipeline of skilled, motivated professionals.

Looking ahead, what is the legacy you hope to leave within the Medtech industry?

I hope to leave a legacy of people-first transformation, where operational excellence and innovation are driven by a deep respect for each individual and a commitment to shared values. I want to be remembered not just for the technologies we adopted or the markets we entered, but for the culture we built: one that empowered people, embraced change, and made a meaningful impact on society. I would like to think I have played a part in empowering others to achieve their highest potential too!

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.

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