2024 marks 50 years of Ericsson’s Athlone site, and the company shows no sign of slowing. With ambitions to always be a technology leader, Ericsson creates game-changing technologies and services that shape societies future, and its Athlone site - a global headquarters for its Network Management portfolio – has a major role in delivering on Ericsson’s mission. Since being established in 1974, initially focused on manufacturing phones and telecoms equipment, the site has evolved continuously, including launching one of Ireland’s first software research and development hubs in 1979. Since 2000, the Athlone site has seen over €3 billion in investment from in its people, the site and equipment. Today, Ericsson Athlone is a vital part of the local community by employing almost 1400 people who each contribute to the company’s position as technology leader.
Ericsson places great value on its connection to the local community. With approximately 1,400 employees in Athlone, the company strives to go beyond being just a workplace, making active efforts to contribute to the area. For example, every 18-24 months employees nominate and select two local charities to support, with staff raising money which Ericsson then matches. The last 5 iterations have raised approximately €250,000 for causes picked specifically by their staff, ensuring their needs, interests, and personal experiences are reflected in the business’ contributions. As part of its 50th-anniversary celebration, Ericsson hosted a celebration for employees, followed by a community event that brought together charities, local officials, schools, and former employees to highlight the company’s continued commitment to the area, as well as its evolution over the past 50 years.
Integral to Ericsson’s commitment to the development of talent both locally and nationally is its INFUSE (Investing in future Software Engineers) program, which has been running for approximately ten years. The program works to introduce young people across the region to STEM subjects and projects, underpinning the importance of active participation in STEM through all levels of education. The INFUSE program is multi-pronged, ranging from a one-year Ericsson Master’s program run in conjunction with the Technological University of the Shannon, to Transition Year programs, to a ‘Girls in ICT’ initiative promoting the importance of gender representation in engineering. As the saying goes, ‘If you can see it, you can be it’, and Ericsson work to ensure that young girls who engage in any aspect of the Infuse program can see a future for themselves in software engineering.
Creating a strong and diverse talent pipeline is a constant challenge. Ericsson, through collaboration with local schools, identified a catch-22 in the education system: many secondary schools do not offer subjects like computer science, and teachers often lack the expertise to introduce coding in the classroom. To combat this challenge, Ericsson established the Ericsson Primary Introduction to Code (EPIC) initiative as part of their INFUSE program. EPIC allows Primary school teachers to bring fun coding projects into the classroom by providing them with self-led online material. Through the DCU STEM Teacher Internship, Ericsson provide trainee teachers with the skills to introduce coding concepts in the classroom once they graduate. As a result, students are encouraged to develop an early interest in STEM and coding.
Notably, this year, every secondary school student in Longford was offered the opportunity to take Computer Science as a Leaving Certificate subject, making Longford the first county in Ireland to provide this educational offering. This achievement was realised through the Longford Digital Strategy and supported by Ericsson’s “teach the teacher” initiative. By providing students with access to these subjects, they gain the skills and knowledge that Ireland needs to maintain our position as a competitive, highly educated society. Ericsson believe this project can be rolled out nationwide, envisioning a future where all students have access to Computer Science in school
While Ericsson has big ambitions, there is also an acknowledgement that challenges stand in the way of progress. One of the most pressing issues is the need to maintain Ireland’s competitive edge in attracting investment and talent. Continued government support, particularly through R&D tax incentives, is critical to keeping the country a key player in global telecommunications. Addressing housing and infrastructure gaps also remains a major hurdle. As Ericsson continues to hire globally, particularly for its highly specialised roles, the lack of sufficient housing and infrastructure makes it difficult to retain talent - even with relocation support financially, if there are no properties available, it is a difficult barrier to overcome for business. Despite these challenges, Ericsson is committed to being proactive in overcoming these barriers, ensuring that both its business and the wider community in Athlone continue to thrive.
As Ericsson Athlone celebrates 50 years of innovation, its dedication to education and talent development remains strong. The company understands the importance of nurturing local talent pipelines to secure a prosperous, sustainable future, actively engaging with schools and communities to inspire young minds. By supporting local charities and initiatives, Ericsson not only strengthens its ties to the area but also reinforces its position as a genuine member of the community. Looking ahead, Ericsson is poised to continue making a meaningful impact, contributing to a vibrant future for the business, for the local area, and for Ireland.
