Catherine Collins is Network Manager at First Polymer Training Skillnet, which is promoted by Ibec. She graduated from Athlone Institute of Technology in 1989 with a B. Eng. in Plastics Engineering and joined Merck Millipore Ireland as Mould Support Engineer. She then moved to Medtronic in 1992 and held various technical roles in the polymer industry before joining First Polymer Training in 2001, where her work includes technical programme development & accreditation, industry engagement and centre management. Catherine is a member of the Polymer Apprenticeship Consortium, QQI’s Consultative Forum, the IOM (Polymer South) Committee, the Midland Regional Skills Forum and represented Polymer Technology Ireland (Ibec) and the sector, on the EGFSN Forfas group to look at the Future Skills Needs in Manufacturing.