Autumn Conference 2026

What makes a good cake? It depends who it is for, the occasion and what you have to work with. So what does that tell us about STEM outreach? Join Amy Dillon, Chartered Civil Engineer, Associate at Design ID and WES Award winner at the IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards, for an interactive workshop with a practical challenge and pupil scenarios to explore. You will be guided through a range of engineering careers, routes into the industry at 16, 18 and beyond, and how outreach and work experience can help pupils decide what to do next.

Amy Dillon is an award-winning Chartered Civil Engineer, Associate at Design ID and Director of Think Design Engineer Foundation. Her engineering background includes working on the construction of the Northern Spire Bridge and The Gobbins. She won the 2025 IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year WES Awardand is previous recipient of the Royal Academy of Engineering Young Engineer of the Year Award as well as being named one of the Top 50 Women in Engineering.

Amy has over 15 years’ experience in outreach. She created ICE CityZen, an online engineering outreach platform that has reached thousands of students, and the award-winning Zombie Apocalypse workshop. She leads Think Design Engineer Foundation, which has reached over 8,000 young people in the past few years through practical experiences, including The Big Bridge, to inspire them to explore careers in STEM.

Join us for an inspiring Careers Workshop led by La Mon Hotel & Country Club’s General Manager, Operations Manager, Head Chef and a Young Hospitality Apprentice. Our speakers will share their career journeys, experiences and insights into how they got to where they are today. From progressing into management and developing culinary skills to starting out through a Hospitality apprenticeship, you’ll gain valuable advice, discover the different career paths available within the Hospitality industry, and learn about the opportunities, challenges and rewards that come with a career in Hospitality.

Momentum One Zero (M1.0) works in the sectors that matter most to Northern Ireland’s economy. This workshop will include insights into digital technology careers in these sectors and highlights the skills needed to succeed. This workshop will provide teachers with an overview of the work that our multidisciplinary team do to address business and societal challenges by bringing together expertise and problem-solving capabilities in secure connected intelligence to key sectors including: cyber security, digital health, agri food, space and wireless. In addition, we will highlight how schools can engage with M1.0 skills programmes and pipeline activities to support the workforce of the future.

Ireland’s newest veterinary programme opportunities, admissions and preparing the next generation of veterinary surgeons. The establishment of ATU Veterinary marks a historic development in Irish higher education, bringing veterinary education to the northwest of Ireland for the first time.

In this interactive workshop, Professor Patrick Pollock, Head of ATU Veterinary, will introduce the new Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery programme, explain its distinctive educational philosophy and explore the opportunities it creates for students interested in a veterinary career.

The session will examine how ATU Veterinary is rethinking veterinary education through integrated learning, early clinical experience, simulation, problem-based learning, professional skills and a particular commitment to rural communities, animal welfare and One Health.

The workshop will also provide practical advice on admissions, subject requirements, work experience and preparing students for the application process. There will be plenty of opportunity for questions and discussion.

The workshop will introduce Careers teachers to the wide range of STEM and green career opportunities available within Northern Ireland’s evolving energy sector. Using SONI as a real-world example, the session will explore how the electricity system is changing, the roles and skills needed to support the energy transition, and the different pathways young people can take into the sector.

The session will highlight the broad range of roles available within SONI, including graduate opportunities, placements, apprenticeships, and work-experience programmes. It will also showcase the practical ways SONI engages with schools, colleges, and universities to encourage more girls and young women to consider careers in STEM and the energy sector.

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear first-hand experiences from two Early-Career colleagues, followed by time for questions and discussion.

In this workshop, we will showcase the wide range of early careers opportunities available at AECOM, with a strong emphasis on apprenticeships as a primary pathway for school leavers. These programmes, designed for students aged 16 and above, range from Level 3 to degree-level (Levels 4–6) and provide a structured route into careers in engineering, infrastructure, and environmental services. By combining hands-on work experience, formal training, and mentoring, AECOM apprenticeships enable participants to earn while they learn and work towards professional qualifications. Along with government-approved levy-funded programmes, flexible learning options and a commitment to off-the-job training, AECOM also supports sponsored courses where necessary. Annually recruiting across various disciplines such as civil engineering, transport planning and environmental consulting, AECOM plays a pivotal role in shaping apprenticeship standards, making it an attractive alternative to university for those seeking practical experience and long-term career development. Attendees will also gain insight into AECOM’s commitment to developing future talent, and other early career pathways available within one of the world’s leading infrastructure and consultancy organisations.

Join RICS Northern Ireland Regional Board Vice Chair, Andrew Cunningham MRICS for an engaging introduction to the world of surveying and the exciting career opportunities it offers students. Andrew will explore the role of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in shaping the built and natural environments. Through globally recognised standards, professional development and trusted industry insight, RICS promotes and upholds the highest professional standards across land, real estate, construction and infrastructure. The session will highlight the many benefits of a career in surveying, including internationally recognised qualifications, opportunities to work around the world, competitive earning potential, and diverse career pathways across a range of sectors. Whether students are exploring future career options or looking to broaden their understanding of the built environment, this session will showcase why surveying is a rewarding, dynamic and globally connected profession.

A step-by-step guide to the CAO application process for NI applicants, with a focus on completing the GCE/GCSE Section of the application form, supplying supporting documents , how documents/qualifications are processed/checked, and some of the common pitfalls.