Instantor champions career development through Student Mentoring Programme
Instantor is participating in the Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) Student Mentoring Programme. Through the initiative, Instantor is working with a group of students over a two-year period, hosting sessions at its head office to explore topics such as career potential, approaches to study, CV writing and interview preparation.
Several Instantor employees have taken on mentoring roles, working with students on a one‑to‑one basis during their visits. Each student has already received a welcome presentation, a tour of Instantor’s facilities and a hands-on demonstration of Instantor’s tools. The group is now progressing through sessions covering goal‑setting, a ‘day in the life’, resilience, interview skills and more.
As a key player in the plumbing and heating industry for 100 years, Instantor believes that the sector should actively engage with young people while they are still in school. Raising awareness of the industry at an early age can play a crucial role in shaping future career paths. Many students simply aren’t exposed to the breadth of opportunities within the industry, whether that’s hands‑on technical roles, design and innovation, product development, sustainability-focused roles, or sales and commercial pathways.
Neil Gaffney, Managing Director, Instantor, commented:
“The opportunity for students to develop their career paths in a workplace setting is proving invaluable. It not only helps them build confidence and communication skills, but also gives them a real insight into the variety of roles they may want to pursue after school.
“What’s more, by reaching young people before they make key decisions about subject choices or post‑school routes, we can highlight just how rewarding and future‑proof a career in this sector can be. Engaging with schools not only helps challenge outdated perceptions of what the plumbing and heating industry looks like, but also showcases how essential our work is to delivering modern home and industrial solutions.”
BITCI’s 2024-2025 National Impact Report for the Student Mentoring Programme found that 96% of students reported improved self-confidence and communication skills. In addition, 67% said the programme helped them decide what route to take after school, and 99% said that they would recommend the programme to another student.
Neil added:
“With the Student Mentoring Programme making such a significant impact, it was an easy decision for Instantor to participate. The National Impact Report also highlighted that 93% of employees felt they benefited from being able to make a difference in a young person’s life, while 96% said that it provided a feel-good factor through an enjoyable volunteering experience. It’s great that the programme is an opportunity for us to enhance our employee engagement while making a positive contribution to a local school.”
