Preparing the Next Generation: Leadership, Skills & the Future of Work | Carol Fitzsimons, CEO of Young Enterprise NI

In this episode of Career Conversations, Richard Greenwood sits down with Carol Fitzsimons, CEO of Young Enterprise Northern Ireland.

Carol shares the experiences, decisions and lessons that have shaped a career spanning manufacturing, HR, learning and development, and leading one of Northern Ireland's best-known educational charities through a period of significant change.

The conversation explores:

🔵 Why careers are rarely a straight line

🔵 The importance of lifelong learning and continuous development

🔵 Building confidence, resilience and employability in young people

🔵 Why soft skills matter as much as qualifications

🔵 The changing expectations of today's workforce

🔵 Multi-generational teams and what different generations can learn from each other

🔵 Leadership, resilience and navigating uncertainty

🔵 Creating healthy workplace cultures and sustainable work-life balance

🔵 How businesses can attract, develop and retain young talent

One of the strongest themes throughout the conversation is that learning never stops.

Carol explains why careers are built through experiences rather than fixed plans, why employers should place greater value on curiosity, resilience and communication, and how organisations can better prepare the next generation for an evolving world of work. She also reflects on leading Young Enterprise through significant funding challenges, the importance of protecting your own wellbeing as a leader, and why giving young people opportunities to develop confidence may be one of the greatest investments businesses can make.

The conversation also explores the impact of AI and technology on future careers, the role of business in education, changing workplace expectations, and why creating opportunities for young people to take risks, learn from failure and build real-world experience has never been more important.

Career Conversations is a podcast from Verus Search, featuring honest conversations with senior leaders, CEOs and business owners across Northern Ireland and beyond.

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