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LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
EXCELLENCE IN LEARNING AWARDS 2026
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Judges’ Comments The Graduate Development Initiative category represents an important area of Learning & Development, as graduate and internship programmes are often a participant’s first experience of formal workplace learning. These early experiences can play a significant role in shaping expectations, building confidence and capability, and establishing the foundations for future career development. The judges were therefore encouraged by the breadth, quality and diversity of this year’s submissions, which represented a wide range of sectors, programme structures and approaches. A particularly strong feature across the category was the emphasis on combining structured learning with meaningful, hands-on experience. The most effective programmes provided participants with opportunities to apply their learning in real workplace environments, helping them develop both sector-specific expertise and broader transversal skills. This combination of formal development and experiential learning was evident across many of the submissions and demonstrated the important role graduate programmes can play in preparing emerging talent for successful careers. The judges also noted the value of actively involving graduates and interns in the design and ongoing development of programmes. Approaches such as participant feedback, consultation and design thinking can provide valuable insight into the learner experience and ensure programmes continue to respond to participants’ needs. Hearing directly from graduates during the judging process also brought programmes to life, providing valuable evidence of the skills, confidence and capability being developed. Inclusion was another welcome theme, with a number of initiatives demonstrating broader approaches to attracting and developing talent.
As organisations increasingly adopt skills-first approaches to recruitment and seek to widen access to opportunities, graduate, internship and apprenticeship programmes have significant potential to reach more diverse talent pools and create new pathways into employment. Looking ahead, the judges identified artificial intelligence as an increasingly important consideration for graduate development. While some programmes had begun to incorporate AI-related learning, there is an opportunity for organisations to place greater emphasis on developing AI literacy and fluency. This should not be based on an assumption that younger entrants already possess these capabilities, but rather on providing structured opportunities to understand how AI can be used effectively and how individuals can continue to develop the distinctly human skills and capabilities that complement emerging technologies. Overall, the category demonstrated considerable expertise, energy and commitment to supporting early-career talent. The shortlisted initiatives showcased thoughtful approaches to learning, practical experience and career development, and highlighted the important contribution that well-designed graduate programmes can make to both individual development and longer-term organisational capability.
Medtronic Medtronic’s Quality Graduate
RTÉ RTÉ’s Internship Programme supports the development of the next generation of media professionals while bringing fresh perspectives and emerging skills into the organisation. Through inclusive recruitment, structured mentoring, personalised learning and real workplace responsibility across television, radio, digital and technology teams, the programme creates meaningful early-career opportunities while supporting RTÉ’s wider renewal and workforce priorities.
Uisce Éireann Uisce Éireann’s STEM Summer Internship Programme provides undergraduates with a structured introduction to careers in engineering, science, technology and water services. Combining meaningful project work with a 10-week learning journey through Uisce University, the programme builds confidence, professional skills and career readiness while strengthening the organisation’s future technical talent pipeline.
Development Program provides a structured pathway for early-career engineers to build the technical, professional and leadership capabilities required within a highly regulated healthcare environment. The 23-month programme combines rotations across Quality teams with technical training, mentoring, real-world projects and professional development. Since its launch in 2013, 236 graduates have joined the programme, with an 85% retention rate over the past four years and alumni now representing 21% of the Quality organisation at Medtronic’s Parkmore Galway site.
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