Skills Investment is Paying Dividends for Irish Engineering Firm
Fergus Barry
Group HR Director, Kirby
At Kirby Group Engineering, strategic planning and capability building are central to our culture. We are a ‘People First Business’, and our greatest asset is our people. Over recent years, we have grown sustainably by attracting, developing, and retaining top talent. Kirby is a place where careers thrive, and we are internationally recognised as a platinum-level ‘Investor in People.’
This approach has proven invaluable, especially as the industry faces a growing skills shortage. Our ongoing investment in innovation, technology, skills, and personal development enables us to deliver major projects across data centres, renewable energy, industrial manufacturing, and life sciences.
Apprenticeships
In celebration of our 60th anniversary, we marked a milestone by announcing our highest-ever apprenticeship intake with 80 new apprentices in 2024. Kirby now boasts one of Ireland’s largest apprenticeship programmes, demonstrating our commitment to nurturing future talent and securing our leadership pipeline.
Apprenticeships have been key to our growth, with over 1,500 apprentices having passed through our programmes. Many former apprentices now hold positions at all levels, including the executive team.
Our apprentices’ benefit from learning in a supportive environment, with structured career paths from site supervisor to project manager, as well as formal training that builds technical and leadership skills.
Engineering and business graduate programmes
Our Graduate Programmes combine on-site and formal training to develop future engineering and construction leaders. Graduates are mentored by senior professionals and, upon completion, are offered enhanced professional roles and career development opportunities.
Diversity of thought
Diversity is a core strength, and we are committed to enhancing it. In 2022, we launched a bursary programme for women studying electrical, mechanical, or building services engineering at third-level institutions. Successful applicants receive a full scholarship, paid placements, and mentorship from senior engineers.
Learning organisation
Kirby fosters a culture of continuous learning, supported by an industry-leading Learning & Development structure. We use cutting-edge technology, including HRIS, Learning Management, and Competency Development tools, to ensure our people’s growth is carefully managed and tracked.
Embracing technology
As technology advances, we are embracing digital solutions to further improve our operations. One key initiative is KAI, our artificial intelligence platform. KAI will serve as a thought partner, providing detailed company information through a secure portal. It will streamline processes and allow our teams to focus on future challenges, helping us remain at the forefront of engineering.
For over 60 years, Kirby has thrived as a learning organisation, with many senior leadership positions filled by those who have grown their careers within Kirby. Our ongoing investment in people remains the key to our success.
To learn more about our approach to people development, visit: careers.kirbygroup.com
