Tech Industry Alliance and RDI Hub Launch Graduate AI Launchpad Pilot

New pilot programme brings together graduates, employers and industry to prepare the South West’s future workforce for an AI enabled workplace.

A new pilot programme designed to equip graduates with practical artificial intelligence skills has been launched by the Tech Industry Alliance and the RDI Hub, bringing together graduates, employers and industry in a collaboration aimed at preparing the South West’s future workforce for an increasingly AI driven workplace.

Graduate AI Launchpad welcomed its inaugural cohort this week at the RDI Hub in Killorglin. Developed jointly by the Tech Industry Alliance and the RDI Hub, the four week pilot programme gives graduates the opportunity to work on real industry challenges, learn from experienced professionals and build the confidence to apply AI in practical workplace settings.

The inaugural cohort includes graduates nominated by Astellas, Aspengrove, Fexco, Stingray Labs, TLI Group, ViClarity and MTU. Representing disciplines including engineering, quantity surveying, business, psychology and technology, the programme reflects the growing importance of AI skills across every profession rather than within the technology sector alone.

Over the coming four weeks, participants will work alongside industry mentors, collaborate on practical projects and hear from experienced speakers before presenting their work at a showcase event at the conclusion of the programme. Rather than focusing on theory, Graduate AI Launchpad is built around practical learning, giving participants the opportunity to develop skills they can immediately apply as they begin their careers.

Juliette Crowley, Chief Operating Officer of the Tech Industry Alliance, said:
“One of the Tech Industry Alliance’s core objectives is to strengthen the technology ecosystem across Cork and Kerry by creating meaningful collaboration between industry, education and the wider community. Graduate AI Launchpad is a wonderful example of that in action. By working alongside the RDI Hub and employers from across the South West, we are creating opportunities that help graduates develop practical AI skills while giving businesses the talent they will need for the future. We hope this pilot will become the foundation for a programme that will support many more graduates across Cork and Kerry in the years ahead.”

Fergal Brosnan, CEO, RDI Hub said:
“Artificial intelligence is reshaping every sector of the economy, creating opportunities for regions that are prepared to embrace change. Building AI capability is therefore not just a business priority, but a regional one. Graduate AI Launchpad demonstrates the power of collaboration between industry, education and innovation organisations to develop the talent needed for the future. We are delighted to partner with the Tech Industry Alliance on an initiative that will help strengthen the South West’s competitiveness and support sustainable economic growth for years to come.”

Maeve Lyons, Programme Manager, RDI Hub said:
“AI is one of the RDI Hub’s key focus areas, and for years we have been helping organizations understand, adopt and apply AI to solve real business challenges. Graduate AI Launchpad is a natural extension of that work, giving graduates the opportunity to learn directly from industry, work on practical projects and build confidence using AI in real-world settings. We are delighted to partner with the Tech Industry Alliance on a programme that combines industry expertise with hands-on experience, helping participants develop skills they can apply from day one in their careers.”

Among the participants are Fiachra Ennis, a graduate of University College Cork with qualifications in Work Psychology and Business Information Systems, nominated by Aspengrove; Rachel Reynolds, a recent Quantity Surveying graduate nominated by TLI Group; and Caren Karamagi, an MTU Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering student nominated by Astellas. Their diverse academic and professional backgrounds demonstrate that AI is becoming an important skill across every sector of the economy.

Graduate AI Launchpad is being delivered as a pilot programme during 2026. Feedback from participants, employers and mentors will help shape its future development, with the ambition of expanding the programme across Cork and Kerry in 2027.