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

Welcome to the Irish Medtech Skillnet newsletter!
In this issue
1. Upcoming Courses: The Highlights
2. Accessing Our Subsidised Training Programmes
3. Industry News in Ireland
1. Irish Medtech Awards
2. Kevin Geary of Croom Medical joins the Irish Medtech Skillnet Steering Committee
4. Irish Medtech Skillnet in the Spotlight
1. Site Visits to our Industry Partners
2. Skillnet Ireland’s 25th Anniversary
5. Meet the Team featuring Hazel Hickey

Upcoming Courses now available to book: Some Highlights

1. Strategic Innovation for Senior Executives

This 3-day immersive programme developed in collaboration with BioInnovate Ireland and Irish Medtech is specifically designed to equip senior leaders with the essential skills and strategies needed to develop and implement an innovation strategy tailored to their business. Participants will learn how to identify and capitalise on opportunities within the ever-evolving healthcare landscape, driving needs-led innovation at an organisational level.

Don't miss this opportunity to drive innovation and growth in your organization. Learn more here.

Key Features:

● Expert Delivery: Delivered by BioInnovate Ireland, a renowned health technology innovation programme affiliated with Stanford BioDesign. Utilising the proven Identify, Invent, Implement Model. By implementing the model, to-date BioInnovate Ireland has helped 33 companies secure €270M in funding.
● For more updates: see the news about BioInnovate Ireland below.
● Programme Schedule: 2 - 4 December 2024.

2. Digitalisation of Manufacturing: Choose from a 2-Year Masters or Microcredential Modules
55% of companies surveyed for ‘Talent to Thrive: Future Skills Report for the Medtech Sector’ identified their need for digitalisation upskilling as highly urgent, with a further 31% of companies reporting a medium urgency.

If your company is one of the 86% of Irish medtech companies with an urgent need for digitalisation skills, the relaunched Masters in Digitalisation of Manufacturing, developed in collaboration with Technological University of the Shannon and Irish Medtech, is sure to be of interest to you.

The 2-year Masters in Digitalisation of Manufacturing programme focuses on the challenges and benefits of applying advanced digital technologies to drive productivity, capacity and growth. It is a practice-based professional award for experienced employees in all manufacturing sectors. It includes relevant and practical modules such as Data Analytics & Machine Learning, and Manufacturing Automation & Robotics, plus an applied research project.

Key Features:

● The full 2 Year Masters programme starts in October and is currently open for booking here.
● In 2024, we offer the option of attending stand-alone accredited modules, (micro-credentials) from the programme as an alternative to the full Masters programme. These short, subject-specific accredited courses are designed to meet the demands of learners and organisations, offering a highly flexible and accessible way of up-skilling yourself or your team.
● These two stand-alone modules are available for booking now, to begin in November 2024.
○ Database Design & Data Visualisation: Learn more here.
○ Cyber-Physical Systems & IoT: Learn more here.
● Additional microcredential modules will be announced shortly.



3. Our groundbreaking End-to-End Sterility Assurance programmes return in January 2025

Designed to meet the growing demands for sterility assurance scientists and quality assurance operational professionals, our L9 Postgraduate Certificate in End-to-End Sterility Assurance, was the first of its kind in Ireland and Europe when it launched in 2022.

Building on the success of that programme, the Master of Science in End-to-End Sterility Assurance was launched in 2023, aimed at graduates who have either a science or bioengineering background and are aiming to develop their careers in sterility assurance.

Together, these programmes meet the rapidly evolving regulatory trends of the medtech sector, offering unparalleled accreditation in the vital area of sterility assurance. Bookings are now open for both programmes, which will commence in January 2025.

Details and Start Dates:

● 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.

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

Easy Access to Our Subsidised Training Programmes

Ireland’s history of medtech excellence has been underpinned by its workforce, acknowledged as one of the most educated and adaptable in the world. In a high value-add manufacturing industry such as medtech, the importance of upskilling, training, and education to the continued vitality of the Irish medtech sector ecosystem cannot be overstated.

Irish Medtech Skillnet is committed to ensuring the Irish medtech workforce reaches its full potential and is ready to address both current and future skills needs. We are also committed to making our programmes as inclusive as possible, with minimal barriers to access. Here’s how they work:

● No Membership Required: You do not need to be a registered member of Ibec, or of any Skillnet Ireland network (including ours) to benefit from the subsidised funding available.
● Open to All Sectors: While we specialise in Medtech, companies from all sectors operating in Ireland are eligible for our funded training programmes.
● Inclusive for All Sizes: Whether you are a start-up or a multinational, Irish companies of all sizes are eligible.
● Multiple Networks Access: You can participate in training programmes from one or more Skillnet Ireland networks simultaneously.
● Already Receiving Funding? Companies already funded by Enterprise Ireland, IDA, or Local Enterprise Offices are also eligible for Skillnet Ireland-funded training programmes.
● No Application Needed: If you're a company operating in Ireland, you are eligible for an average 30% discount on standard programme pricing, funded by the National Training Fund through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and the EU. Our advertised prices already reflect this subsidy, offering exceptional value in the market.
● Explore the upcoming courses on our website or contact us today to get started on a programme that meets your needs!

Industry News in Ireland: The Global Medtech Hub

Irish Medtech Excellence Awards Now Open for Nominations

We are proud to announce our Gold Sponsorship of the Medtech event of the year; the 2024 Irish Medtech Awards, which are held at Medtech Rising, taking place on December 5th, in Galway.

The 18th annual award programme was launched by Ibec's Irish Medtech, Enterprise Ireland and the IDA, with the aim of recognising the standards of excellence and exemplary achievement in Ireland’s medtech sector, the acknowledged hub for medtech in the world.

There are many award categories to consider, including an award for Best Talent Strategy of the Year which is designed to recognise initiatives undertaken to develop talent within an organisation.

We encourage you to consider applying on behalf of your organisation in this category or one of the other categories available. The deadline to submit all nominations is October 21st, click here to apply.

Talent development is now being recognised as central to our industry’s strength, and the Medtech Rising conference provides us with a valuable opportunity to showcase what we can offer to the 450 medtech companies, and 48,000 workers in Ireland that are our constituents. We look forward to seeing you at Medtech Rising again this year!

Kevin Geary, Chief Operations Officer at Croom Medical, joins Irish Medtech Skillnet Steering Committee

We welcome Kevin Geary, Chief Operations Officer at Croom Medical to our committee. Kevin spearheads the company's operational strategy, ensuring the delivery of high-quality implants for leading orthopaedic OEMs worldwide.

With an extensive background spanning over two decades in engineering and operations management, Kevin brings a wealth of expertise in strategic planning, project management, and continuous improvement to his role and to our committee. Throughout his career, Kevin has prioritised the cultivation of environments centred on trust and growth, recognising their importance in team engagement and retention. His fusion of academic achievements and hands-on experience positions him as a dynamic leader in the orthopaedic implant manufacturing sector, driving innovation and excellence in every facet of operations. Kevin spoke to the Irish Independent recently, about Croom Medical’s 40 years of manufacturing orthopaedic implants, their Medtech Partner/Supplier of the Year Award in 2023, and how partnerships can power medtech innovation. Read the full article here.

We warmly welcome Kevin on board!

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 client 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!

● At the Medical Technology Conference in Galway we exhibited and hosted an interesting panel discussion on 'Talent Development in MedTech and Manufacturing' with guests, Andrea Cawley, Commercial Director at Automatic Plastics Limited, John Kilmartin, Medtech Regulatory Advisor, Martin Mulkeen, Engineering Manager at Creganna Medical and Niamh St. John Lynch, Lecturer, Dundalk Institute of Technology. Thank you to our panellists!
● We exhibited at the Johnson and Johnson Continuing Professional Development and Education event at the Vision Care facility in Limerick
● We exhibited and participated in a panel discussion at Abbott’s Learning and Professional Development Event for the Abbott #Cootehill facility
● We attended the Irish Medtech hosted breakfast briefing 'Incentivising Innovation in Medtech' to introduce our new ‘Strategic Innovation for Senior Executives’ programme, which is launching in December 2024
● We hosted a well-attended informational webinar on the 2024 Masters in Digitalisation of Manufacturing with guests Alan Harrington, R&D Manager, Alcon, Dr. John Cosgrove, Director of Smart Manufacturing at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), James Diviney, Engineering Manager, Penn Engineering, Aidan Kehoe, Automation Engineer, Henkel, and Vijaya Pramoda, Senior Software Engineer, Alcon. Thank you to all our insightful panellists!

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

Celebrating 25 Years of Skillnet Ireland

Since 1999, Skillnet Ireland has supported businesses in Ireland to build competitiveness through skills and Irish Medtech Skillnet is proud to be one of Skillnet Ireland's 70 Business Networks.

Skillnet Ireland was initially formed by Government to build competitiveness through skills for business of all sizes, across multiple sectors and supporting the development of national workforce development policy to meet future skills needs.

With the support of industry, government and other stakeholders, the vision for Skillnet Ireland grew and became more ambitious, and with it so did the number of Skillnet Business Networks and our other business supports. In 2024, Skillnet Ireland boasts 70 Business Networks and four national initiatives, each bringing unique training and development programmes bespoke to a sector or region, along with insights, industry intelligence and industry guidance.

The launch of the Skillnet Ireland 2023 Annual Report shows that
● 26,626 businesses received upskilling programmes
● 97,776 workers received training last year

This demonstrates a high level of buy-in from businesses eager to develop their teams in partnership with Skillnet Ireland Business Networks and Initiatives! We are proud to note that two Irish Medtech Skillnet clients were profiled as success stories in the 25-Year Celebration Showcase. Thanks to Teleflex Medical OEM and Gilead Sciences Ireland for your participation.

The report also highlights the growing demand for industry-led upskilling, which we continuously provide for companies in the Medtech and Manufacturing sectors. Download the report here. Or read the news story and watch the video here:



Meet the Team: Hazel Hickey, Project Administrator, Irish Medtech Skillnet

As the Project Administrator in Irish Medtech Skillnet, Hazel Hickey works extensively across the training and development spectrum for the sector. She engages with Medtech companies to identify current and future requirements and liaises with third level institutions and expert trainers to make educational and training courses available in those areas.

Hazel is one of our most tenured team members, having joined Irish Medtech Skillnet in 2017. Prior to that, Hazel worked in the technology, Medtech and the education sector in roles such as Senior Administrator, Training Executive and Programme Co-ordinator. Hazel holds a Higher Diploma (level 9) in Adult Career Guidance and Counselling from the University of Limerick and is a passionate believer in the power of education. She really enjoys engaging with individuals seeking advice and guidance on upskilling and training.

“It’s so satisfying to help individuals identify their skills gaps or training needs, which may be holding them back professionally. I help them figure out the right training programme for them, and I assist them with recognition of prior learning or experience which may be needed to qualify for the course they want. Then I source funding to maximise the training available for the individual and their employer. No two days are the same, and my role is as varied as the learners we support - but it is immensely rewarding to see people go on to achieve a qualification and professional advancement as a result of our training programmes!”.

Contact Hazel if she can be of assistance to you in your own professional development or that of your team!

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:
Twitter: @MedtechSkillnet
LinkedIn: @IrishMedtechSkillnet