Global Skills Podcast

How Learning Agility Shapes the Future of Work with Oonagh Kelly

In this episode, I sit down with Oonagh Kelly, Chief People Officer at the National Treasury Management Agency, to explore what it really takes to build a future-ready career and organization. From her early career choices rooted in passion and curiosity to leading large-scale transformation in complex environments, Oonagh shares how combining what you love with what you're good at can shape a meaningful and adaptable career path.
We dive deep into the importance of learning agility and mental agility, two skills Oonagh believes are critical in today’s rapidly changing world of work. She breaks down why traditional career paths are no longer linear, how organizations should rethink talent development, and why understanding your core skills matters more than any job title.
We also explore how AI is being implemented in practical, human-centered ways, how companies can better support people leaders, and why the future belongs to those who can pivot, learn, and evolve continuously. Whether you're starting out, navigating change, or leading a team, this conversation offers powerful insights to help you stay ahead.
Connect With  Oonagh Kelly
https://www.linkedin.com/in/oonaghkelly/
 
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Rethinking Education with John O’Halloran: Skills, Purpose & the Future of Work

In this episode of the Global Skills Podcast, I’m joined by John O'Halloran, President of University College Cork, for a powerful conversation on the future of education, leadership, and skills. John shares his journey from being a first-generation student with a passion for zoology to leading one of Ireland’s most forward-thinking universities. What stood out for me was his deep belief that education is not just about knowledge, but about shaping people who can contribute meaningfully to society, the planet, and the future of work.
We explore how universities must evolve in a rapidly changing world shaped by AI, sustainability, and shifting workforce demands. John highlights the importance of what he calls “life-wide skills” — the human capabilities like communication, adaptability, and purpose — alongside technical expertise. I particularly loved his perspective on lifelong learning and how education shouldn’t stop at graduation, but instead continue throughout our careers as we reskill and adapt.
This conversation also challenged me to think differently about success and career paths. John reminds us that passion, resilience, and openness to opportunity matter more than having everything figured out early on. Whether you're starting out, navigating change, or leading others, this episode is a powerful reminder that learning is a continuous journey — and one that belongs to all of us.
Connect With  John O'Halloran
https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-o-halloran-787b2045
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How Valentina Olivieri is Transforming Education with AI and Learning Technology

On the Global Skills Podcast, I’m joined by Valentina Olivieri, Head of Learning Technology at Shooter’s Hill Sixth Form College, where she leads digital innovation across AI, immersive tech, and inclusive design. With a background in edtech leadership, product development, and strategic innovation—alongside an MSc in Psychology and Learning Disability—Valentina is on a mission to create future-ready learning environments that empower every student to thrive. Her work sits at the intersection of AI, neurodiversity, and human-centered design, championing accessibility as a core pillar in modern education.
In this episode, I explore Valentina’s non-linear journey into edtech, her passion for personalized learning, and the growing digital skills gap facing today’s students. We dive into why traditional education models are being challenged, the importance of apprenticeships and real-world skills, and how technology can be used to enhance—not replace—human potential. This conversation is a powerful look at the future of education, skills development, and how we can better prepare the next generation for an evolving workplace.
 
Connect With  Valentina Olivier
https://www.linkedin.com/in/valentina-olivieri-58150699/?locale=en_US
 
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Why 90% of Employees Are Disengaged | Joe Morrison on Fixing Workplace Culture

In this episode of the Global Skills Podcast, I sit down with Joe Morrison, employee engagement expert and Founder of Cheer At Work, to explore why 90% of employees are disengaged and what leaders can realistically do about it. Joe shares powerful insights from both talent acquisition and internal culture strategy, explaining why communication, leadership skills, and clarity of purpose matter more than perks alone.
We unpack the concept of “happiness spikes” at work, why learning completion rates are so low, and how fear, poor communication, and lack of leadership development are impacting engagement. Joe also shares practical advice for leaders navigating redundancy, low morale, and AI-driven change, plus why presentation skills are becoming one of the most critical employability skills in today’s competitive market.
This conversation is a reminder that engagement is not a fluffy nice-to-have — it is directly linked to performance, retention, and long-term business sustainability. 
 
Connect With Joe Morrison
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemorrisonofficial
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People First, Skills Second: Rethinking Construction with Paul Bird

In this episode of the Global Skills Podcast, I sit down with Paul Bird, Head of Learning at the Lighthouse Charity, to explore what it really means to put people first in one of the UK’s most vital industries — construction. Paul shares his powerful journey from teaching English and media to leading learning and wellbeing initiatives across construction, driven by a deep personal connection to the industry through his father. We unpack how learning, retention and meaningful work shape not just careers, but lives.
We also have an honest conversation about emotional wellbeing, suicide prevention and the systemic challenges facing the construction sector, including fragmentation, financial pressure and cultural barriers around men speaking up. Paul outlines the innovative programmes being developed at the Lighthouse Charity — from micro-learning and middle-leader training to neurodiversity inclusion and long-term career support. This is a conversation about dignity in work, reverse mentoring, volunteering as a pathway forward, and how we build an industry — and future workforce — where people feel valued, supported and proud of what they create.
Connect With  Paul Bird
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-bird-7343b791
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Simon Lambert: Learning at the speed of change

In this episode of the Global Skills Podcast, I sit down with Simon Lambert, former Chief Learning Officer at Microsoft UK, who spent nearly three decades at the heart of Microsoft navigating every major wave of transformation from the rise of the internet to cloud computing and now the acceleration of AI. We explore what organisations are getting wrong about skills, why most businesses are not future-focused when it comes to capability building, and how learning must move from being episodic to becoming a permanent requirement of work.
Simon shares why AI is democratizing skills across organisations and why leaders must redesign learning to be faster, more agile and embedded in the flow of work. We unpack his powerful framework of the four C’s of modern learning: conversational, contextual, creative and continuous. We also discuss the symbiotic relationship between human intelligence and artificial intelligence, and why leadership in the age of AI demands bravery, curiosity and strong human skills. If you care about the future of work, enterprise learning and preparing the next generation for an AI-enabled world, this conversation will challenge and inspire you.
Connect With Simon Lambert
https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lambert-flpi-8364111
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$3.7 Trillion: The AI Workforce Wake-Up

EPISODE SUMMARY
Andrej Karpathy — AI researcher, former head of AI at Tesla and founding team at OpenAI — recently published a visualisation of the entire US job market scored by AI exposure. 342 occupations. 143 million jobs. Every one rated 0–10 on how much AI will reshape it.The number that stopped Vanessa in her tracks: $3.7 trillion in annual wages sitting in jobs scoring 7 or above on AI exposure.In this episode, Vanessa unpacks what the data actually says, why the most common reaction to it is wrong, and what it means for the organisations and workforce leaders responsible for navigating what comes next. She also introduces the Skills 1st System™ — the operating framework built to help enterprises respond.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
What AI exposure data actually measures — and what a high score does and doesn’t mean
Why the most AI-exposed workers are your highest earners, not your lowest paid
The profound inversion in the education vs. AI exposure data
Why ‘which jobs disappear’ is the wrong question — and what to ask instead
Three things every HR, L&D and workforce planning leader needs to sit with right now
How the Skills 1st System™ gives enterprises one global skills language without heavy integration
KEY STATS FROM THIS EPISODE
$3.7 trillion in annual wages in jobs scoring 7+ on AI exposure
143 million jobs mapped across 342 occupations (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Average AI exposure:  4.9 out of 10 across the entire US workforce
25.2 million jobs  scoring 8–10 (very high exposure) — 18% of the workforce
34.7 million jobs  scoring 6–7 (high exposure)
Jobs paying $100K+:  average AI exposure score of 6.7/10
Jobs paying <$35K:  average AI exposure score of 3.4/10
66.9 million jobs  require no formal degree — average exposure 4.1/10
97.2 million jobs  have a positive growth outlook
 
LINKS & RESOURCESMentioned in this episodeExplore the AI exposure data referenced in this episode:→  abodoo.com/future-of-jobs
Download the Skills Intelligence Playbook — free:→  abodoo.com/skillsuite
About Abodoo & SkillSuiteAbodoo builds production-grade skills infrastructure that creates a shared skills language across hiring, learning, and workforce strategy. SkillSuite is a light plug-in that gives enterprises one global skills language — no heavy integration required.→  abodoo.com/skillsuite
About the Skills 1st System™The S.K.I.L.L.S 1st System™ is Abodoo’s six-module operating framework for skills-first organisations — from the Skills Intelligence Engine™ through to the Skills ROI Sustainer™. It is the bridge between where your workforce is today and where it needs to be.
ABOUT YOUR HOSTVanessa Wainwright is CEO & Founder of Abodoo and Co-Founder of BritePass. She works at the intersection of work, learning, technology, and policy — with a focus on inclusive opportunity and leaving no one behind. She hosts the Global Skills Podcast.
Connect on LinkedIn: Vanessa WainwrightAbodoo: abodoo.comSkills Intelligence Playbook: abodoo.com/skillsuite
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Building Ireland’s Future Workforce with Breda O’Toole, Head of Client Talent Development & Digitalisation at IDA Ireland

In this episode of the Global Skills Podcast, I’m joined by Breda O’Toole, Head of Client Talent Development & Digitalisation at IDA Ireland. Breda brings more than two decades of experience supporting Ireland’s enterprise and investment ecosystem, and she shares a fascinating perspective on how the country has evolved into a global hub for multinational companies, innovation, and high-value careers. Together we reflect on the transformation of Ireland’s economy and the role talent development plays in sustaining that growth.
Breda explains how IDA Ireland works closely with over 1,800 multinational companies to strengthen the talent pipeline, support digital transformation, and ensure Ireland remains competitive in a rapidly changing global economy. We explore the importance of collaboration between industry, education, and government, as well as the growing focus on advanced skills, digitalisation, and sustainability.
What stands out in this conversation is Breda’s people-first approach to workforce development. She highlights why investing in skills, creating meaningful career pathways, and supporting lifelong learning are essential for both organisations and national economies. It’s an insightful look at how strategic talent development can shape the future of work and opportunity at scale.
 
Connect with Breda O'Toole
Breda O'Toole - IDA Ireland | LinkedIn
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Adam Gordon on AI, Recruiter Enablement & The Future of Talent Acquisition

In this episode of the Global Skills Podcast, I sit down with Adam Gordon, serial HR tech founder and CEO of PoetryHR, to unpack what is really happening inside talent acquisition right now. With over 20 years in recruitment technology and a successful exit of Candidate ID to iCIMS, Adam shares his honest journey from agency recruiter to tech founder and what building, scaling, and selling a global HR tech company truly looks like.
We dive deep into AI, automation, and the future of talent acquisition. Adam explains why traditional TA roles are evolving, how recruiter enablement is becoming critical, and why professionals must become intentional about upskilling in the age of AI. From employment “brutality” to elite workforce dynamics, this conversation challenges how we think about hiring, skills, and career ownership. Adam also shares practical advice for job seekers on how to stand out by working “between the seams” and becoming the recruiter of your own life.

Future-Proofing Talent with Polly Boardman: Why Learning & Development Is a Strategic Imperative

In this episodeGlobal Skills Podcast, I sit down with Polly Boardman, Senior Global Learning and Talent Leader, Learning and Talent Director at Collaboradoodle, and Advisory Board Member at Marlin Environmental Services. Polly shares her journey from working in social and economic regeneration programs to leading global learning, talent, OD, EDI, and AI-enabled development strategies. We explore how learning and development plays a critical role across the entire talent journey — from attraction to alumni — and why skills-based, data-driven approaches are shaping the future of work.
Polly also speaks candidly about supporting underrepresented talent, mid-career women, and returning parents, and how organizations can design more inclusive, accessible development pathways. We discuss AI’s impact on workforce planning, the risks of losing early talent pipelines, and why L&D must move from being seen as “training” to being recognized as a strategic driver of culture, engagement, and future-proofing talent.
Connect With  Polly boardman
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pollyhboardman-fcipd
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