Alistair Tosh
Group HR Director, Kirby
Unlocking Potential to Deliver the Future
At Kirby, we know that future growth depends on the skills we develop today. That’s why, as productivity dominates the headlines across Europe, Kirby Group Engineering is investing in the talent we need to deliver Ireland’s future today.
As a leading provider of construction and engineering projects across Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe, we have spent over 60 years creating a people-focused culture, with learning and development at the heart of our organisation.
But with skills shortages, changing workforce dynamics, and an ever-growing global demand and competition for engineering talent, we know that we can’t stand still. Our talent programmes are constantly evolving, reacting and engaging – because if they don’t, future growth may be at risk.
Kirby partners with blue-chip organisations on projects that support worldwide enhancements in sustainable energy solutions, AI and pharmaceuticals, and we understand the important role they play in our collective future. Our people are critical to our clients’ missions, as they innovate, collaborate and deliver projects at the leading edge of engineering.
That’s why every one of our 1,900 colleagues and new recruits is empowered to ‘Reach Your Potential’. Whether that is through our leading apprentice, graduate, and female bursary programmes, or our mentoring and learning and development programmes, we believe that nurturing our existing talent and recruiting the right people is key.
High-potential colleagues and new recruits benefit from personalised development plans to accelerate their advancement. Each stage is guided by line managers and an executive-level coach, with one day per month of structured development, which can take various forms, including management training or professional development. It also includes the development of a 24-month timeline, supported by full managerial guidance and the benefit of our bespoke talent development programme.
Several members of our senior management team began their careers as Kirby apprentices, benefitting from experience and training over many years to become leaders of a thriving organisation. It is this ethos that is central to the culture. Our people know that their potential is limitless, they see living examples of how they can advance. With the support and guidance of our teams, they know they can realise their ambitions, and we will help them get there.
Investing in people is at the heart of Kirby’s people-first culture and is key to our future potential and international growth. We have 60 years’ experience in developing high performing teams. We don’t stand still. We reach our potential.
