In the very first episode of the Workplus podcast, Kathleen O’Hare shares her powerful perspective on how education in Northern Ireland must change to prepare young people for the future of work.

From the need to move beyond outdated exams, to breaking the stigma around vocational careers, to ensuring every young person leaves school digitally confident, Kathleen explains what needs to change and how it can happen. She shares examples from her own leadership, including how schools can build stronger employer links, the impact of real-world work experience, and why leadership must be at the heart of education reform.

This is an episode for anyone who believes in creating real opportunities for the next generation.

⏱ In This Episode:
• Why schools must adapt to a changing world
• The importance of creating clear pathways into vocational careers
• Digital skills as a core part of every child’s education
• How collaboration between schools, employers, and communities changes lives
• The role of leadership in building a future-ready education system
• Insights from the Skills Council on where change is already happening

🎧 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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