Day 1 Workshops 12.20pm
Parallel Session, Choose One

Day 2 Workshops 9.30am 
Parallel Session, Choose One 

a) Scaling Employability with Technology & Structured Reflection
Maire Buckley, Maynooth University

This session explores how using Shortlist.Me's video tool for interviews and structured reflection can help scale employability in higher education. Using real examples, we’ll highlight how reflective activities are embedded within programmes and modules, including what’s worked and key challenges, particularly around AI use. Attendees will gain practical insights and approaches for embedding employability in ways that are engaging, scalable, and impactful for students.

b) The Resilience Pivot: Reimagining ‘Bouncing Back’ as a Core Employability Competency in the VUCA Age
Aoife Prendergast, TUS

In the VUCA age, students often feel lost and overwhelmed (affective barriers) by traditional employability demands. This workshop introduces a narrative-based framework where employability is not just a set of skills to be acquired, but a sense of belonging to be cultivated. Participants will learn how to help students transition from "Am I good enough?" to "How do I contribute?" by leveraging their unique "Human Advantage", empathy, resilience, and cultural intelligence.

c) Framing the Future: Photovoice & Sustainable Employability Capital in Inclusive Career Development
Emma Lennox, Queens University

How do we support those who feel on the margins of career development and don’t know where to start? Using the Employability Capital Growth Model framework, this session highlights a photovoice project with final year students, showing how visual storytelling helps learners articulate strengths, barriers, and aspirations, build agency, and navigate transitions. Participants will understand the framework and methodology, engage with photos, and hear the student recommendations and project impact.

d) Putting Data to Work: Using Data to Personalise the Student Experience
Nicola Fortune, UCD

As students increasingly expect more personalised support due to the rise of GenAI, this workshop looks at how data can be used to bridge this gap. Using a design thinking approach, this interactive workshop will explore how we can use the data available to us to enhance the student experience. The “UCD Career Ready Project” will also be shared as a practical example of leveraging Career Registration Survey data.

Day 2 Workshops, 11.45am 
Parallel Session, Choose One 

a) I Am Not A Robot - Harnessing AI to Support Students' Career Development Needs
Paddy McLaughlin & Cathy Moore, Ulster University

Your students are already using AI. The question is: are they using it well? This lively session shares Ulster University’s journey from large-scale Future of Work workshops (8,000+ students) to the ‘I am not a robot’ AI module. Join us to hear about how we are enhancing our students’ employability by building AI-savvy, critically aware graduates – with practical ideas to refresh your own provision.

b) What Role Does the Human Element Play in the Future of AI Augmented Careers Consultancy
Mary McCarthy, UCC
Change is constant! AI augmented environments are becoming normalised across all sectors. Through facilitated small group discussion we will discuss why unique human expertise, judgement, empathy, ethics, and professional skills must remain central in the Career Development and Consultation landscape. How do we evolve a human centric, personal service in partnership with AI, and generate practical actions for individuals and institutions? Together we will identify challenges, risks, and future-proof human connection.

c) Future Ready Skills: Mastering Transversal Competencies for Sustainable Employability
Bridie Killoran, ATU
This workshop explores how skills‑based education supports learner adaptability, employability and lifelong learning in an increasingly complex and uncertain (VUCA) world. It introduces ATU’s micro‑credential offering as one example within a wider skills ecosystem, aligned with World Economic Forum priorities. Participants examine how learners can assess, develop and evidence key skills through structured frameworks, supported by practical tools that enhance sustainable employability and career readiness.

d) Leading When you Don't Know the Way: How to Build a High Performing Team that Prioritises Culture
Trevor Johnson, Queens University
Everything rises or falls on leadership and culture is the engine that drives everything in your team, department or Careers Service. In this session we will deep dive into how to build and change the culture so that you develop a high performing team that deliver results. You will leave with an increased understanding of culture and your agency to lead change and Trevor will share his top 10 tips for leading culture change.