CeADAR’s Work Ready Graduates Programme
CeADAR’s Work Ready Graduate Programme (WRGP) is a 12-month initiative designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world AI application. Part-funded by Enterprise Ireland, the programme provides companies with graduates who bring fresh perspectives and up-to-date technical skills.
The WRGP connects industry partners with AI graduates and experience CeADAR Mentors. Over the one year placement, each graduate works on a defined project, ensuring that both the graduate and the host organisation gain real value.
If your company would like to host a graduate in 2026, please complete the expression of interest form below.
This is not the full application. The formal application process will open in 2026, and you will be notified once it becomes available.
Hear from three of the companies and graduates involved in this year’s WRGP.
Brightwind
BrightWind provides a boutique resource and energy assessment service led by leading analysts with 100+ years experience working for developers in the wind and solar industries. BrightWind blends consultancy with modern software development, seen in both BrightHub, an open-access platform for clean wind and solar datasets, and the open source BrightWind Python library, which automates core wind analysis tasks like MCP, turbulence, and shear calculations. BrightWind builds open, reproducible tools that streamline workflows and accelerate renewable energy development.
The graduate assigned to them is currently working on creating an AI cleaning tool which helps analysts to clean unreliable/anomalous sensor data all over the world with any type of sensor for example Temperature, Speed, Wind and Direction.
“Brightwind is pleased to have taken part in the CeADAR Work Ready Graduate Programme. The initiative provided us with the opportunity to explore an AI and machine learning data cleaning solution, while also supporting a graduate in gaining valuable industry exposure. CeADAR’s team are very professional, and the programme offers a structured way to engage with emerging talent in the AI sector.”
The Work Ready Graduate Programme has made me realise that theory can only take you so far, it’s when you roll up your sleeves and work on real problems that the real learning begins. Collaborating with BrightWind and CeADAR researchers has turned abstract ideas into something concrete and measurable. It’s been an eye-opening blend of challenge, curiosity, and discovery
OpenSky Data Systems
OpenSky Data Systems delivers secure, AI-enabled digital solutions that help public bodies and enterprises turn complex data into decisions.
The graduate programme contributes to this mission on Microsoft Fabric and Microsoft Azure. As part of the programme the graduate is working on projects that include:
1. Text-to-SQL on Azure. Where a client cannot use Microsoft Copilot, our graduate has built a Text-to-SQL chatbot on Azure. Users ask questions in plain English, the service generates safe SQL, queries authorised databases and returns clear answers in natural language.
2. Power BI dashboards for European health programmes. The graduate designed and developed Power BI dashboards that provide interactive visuals, advanced trend analysis, and KPI tracking to support operational decision-making in health initiatives, contributing to evidence-based actions aligned with Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan goals for HPV and cervical cancer.
OpenSky Data Systems deliver for public sector organisations including private and public sector Hospitals, the HSE, National Transport Authority, Tailte Éireann, and Dublin City Council (to name a few), supporting high-scale case management, regulation, and real-time services. Through these projects, the graduates gain real-world delivery experience while advancing OpenSky’s commitment to responsible, data-driven and AI public value.
Our collaboration with CeADAR continues to bring exceptional talent into OpenSky. Sharang has made an outstanding contribution to our AI and data projects, demonstrating strong technical ability, initiative, and professionalism from the outset. The quality of talent we’ve seen through this programme, from Sharang and from previous CeADAR placements, has been remarkable, adding real value to our client work and reinforcing the importance of industry-academic partnerships in
developing future data leaders.
Working at CeADAR has significantly enhanced my data science expertise and analytics skills through hands-on experience with real-time industry projects. Being part of the team makes me both confident and proud, as it allows me to contribute while continuously learning on the job. In particular, working with the latest AI technologies has broadened my perspective, strengthened my technical expertise, and sharpened my business acumen. I would highly recommend fellow professionals in this field to join CeADAR, where they can grow, innovate, and work at the forefront of data science and AI.
PMS Pavement Management Services Ltd
PMS Pavement Management Services is a civil engineering consultancy serving road and airport authorities, delivering advanced pavement testing, evaluation, and asset management through cutting-edge sensing technologies and research-driven methodologies.
PMS operate a fleet of vehicles that collect pavement condition information using a variety of sensors, lasers and imaging equipment. The graduate’s project involves the classification, Object Detection and Quality Analysis of Road Pavement Data which is captured in the form of images from cameras and sensors mounted on road vehicles. . The Primary Clients of PMS are Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the Road Management Office (RMO) along with the Department of Transport.
We in PMS have been delighted with our experience to date with the Work Ready Graduate programme. Viraj is an excellent graduate and has been very innovative in bringing a range of AI/ML models and techniques to work with our existing staff in developing and improving some interesting challenges in our pavement management and asset management areas. CeADAR have been very easy to work with, and the monthly workshops and skills enhancement sessions have helped Viraj very significantly in understanding alternate approaches and possibilities to problem solving. I highly recommend this programme to other small companies with an interest in exploring and implementing AI/ML within the workstreams.
Working with PMS Pavement Management Services has been an enriching experience, allowing me to apply AI and Computer Vision techniques to real-world infrastructure challenges. Collaborating with their engineering team has provided valuable insights into how data-driven models can transform pavement condition assessment and asset management.