Episoder
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Steph meets Logan Perez-Grey, a Level 3 welding and fabricating apprentice at HF Bond, and Andy Heffer-Lamond, Logan's supervisor.
They discuss Logan's experiences and learning journey at HF Bond, highlighting the inclusive and supportive environment of the company and why it matters to be hired for your talent not box ticking.
The conversation covers Logan's entry into welding, the importance of apprenticeships in diversifying skills, and challenges and opportunities for young people in the engineering sector.
Andy and Logan emphasise the need for educational reform to better prepare students for diverse career paths and the importance of employer involvement in schools.
00:00 Welcome to Steph on Skills
00:08 Meet Logan Perez-Grey and Andy Heffer-Lamond
00:26 Logan's Journey in Welding and Fabrication
01:19 Challenges and Inclusivity in the Workplace
01:54 Andy on Finding the Right Talent
03:20 Day-to-Day Life as a Welder
06:21 The Importance of Creativity in Engineering
09:11 Education and Career Guidance
14:14 Advice for Aspiring Welders
16:09 Supportive Work Environment at HF Bond
18:16 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Steph welcomes Enginuity CEO, Ann Watson, and Poppy Bramford, Senior Policy Manager at Enginuity, to discuss the pressing issue of immigration in relation to the UK's skill gap.
Steph, Ann and Poppy examine the Government’s white paper on immigration and its potential ramifications for SMEs in the manufacturing and engineering sectors.
Poppy and Ann highlight the Government's assumptions about reducing immigration to spur domestic skill acquisition, and the flaws in the current skill system that may hinder this vision.
They also discuss the essential role of immigration in filling critical skill gaps, the necessity for a long-term national skills plan, and the undervaluing of technical education in the UK.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:22 Current Immigration Policies and Their Impact
02:47 Challenges for SMEs and Skills Shortages
04:20 Government's Role and Timing Issues
05:33 The Importance of Long-Term Planning
08:21 Valuing Technical and Vocational Education
14:22 The Need for a National Skills Plan
20:17 Cultural Shifts and Transferable Skills
31:12 Conclusion and Call to Action
Get in touch with the podcast at [email protected]
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Steph sits down with 22-year-old Kirbi Taylor, a Controls Testing Technician for TAIT, the engineering company that provides specialised equipment and technical expertise for the entertainment industry.
Kirbi discusses her fascinating role in ensuring all control equipment meets the high standards required for large-scale shows, including those of international musical superstars and West End shows.
Steph talks to Kirbi about her journey from a heavy industrial background to the entertainment sector, the challenges she faces as a woman in engineering, and how she feels seeing her work in action on stage.
We also hear valuable insights on how to get into the engineering field, the importance of practical experience, and Kirbi’s aspirations to manage her own team in the future.
00:00 Introduction and guest welcome
00:21 Behind the Scenes of Entertainment Engineering
00:39 The Role of a Controls Testing Technician
00:55 Equipment and Operations in Entertainment
03:10 Personal Journey into Engineering
05:25 Challenges and Opportunities for Women in Engineering
09:31 Future Ambitions and Career Goals
10:45 Encouraging the Next Generation
17:25 Final thoughts
Get in touch with the podcast at [email protected]
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Steph welcomes esteemed engineering veterans, Dame Judith Hackitt and Jüergen Maier CBE, to gain their insight on how to tackle the skills shortage in the UK’s engineering and manufacturing sector and discuss how the industry needs to evolve.
Having recently concluded her role as interim chair at the Office of Nuclear Regulation and having led the independent review on building safety following the fire at Grenfell Tower, Dame Judith currently chairs an Industry Safety Steering Group, while since leaving his role as CEO at Siemens, Jüergen has transitioned from advising on industrial strategy to chairing Great British Energy, the UK's publicly owned clean energy company.
The conversation delves into the importance of mentoring, the significance of diversity, the opportunities within clean energy, and the potential of a skills passport for career mobility.
Plus, Jüergen and Judith offer their views on the controversial world of geo-engineering and share why we should be concerned at its uses.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductions
00:33 Dame Judith Hackitt's Career Journey
01:05 Jüergen Maier’s Role at Head of Great British Energy
02:16 Rewinding to Early Career Choices
03:27 Mentorship and Influence
06:00 Skills Landscape in the Industry
07:50 Future of Clean Energy and Job Creation
10:32 Challenges and Opportunities in Skill Development
13:50 Diversity and Inclusion in Engineering
15:07 The Importance of Diversity in Engineering
15:49 Introducing the Digital Skills Passport
16:53 Learning from Global Models
17:35 Challenges in the UK Skills System
19:13 The Future of Engineering and Geo-Engineering
21:39 The Role of Ethics in Engineering
23:51 Optimism for the Future of Engineering
28:37 Final Thoughts
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this episode, Steph sits down with Mike Reader, who transitioned from a career in civil engineering to becoming a Labour MP at the General Election in 2024.
Mike shares his ‘accidental’ journey into engineering and how it led to the backbenches at the House of Commons, discussing the challenges he faced and the motivations behind his career switch.
He also talks about the impact of austerity on public projects, and his passion for public procurement and infrastructure.
Mike also delves into the significance of modernising the construction sector, his vision for the future of engineering and automation and whether modernising manufacturing could also help address the issue of immigration.
Steph and Mike also reveal their own innovative ideas for recruiting for careers in engineering. Could their ideas help solve the skills gap?
00:00 Introduction
00:59 Mike's Journey to Politics
02:19 Election Night and Becoming an MP
04:01 Early Career in Engineering
05:41 Transition to Public Procurement
07:21 Political Frustrations and Joining Labour
10:00 Addressing the Skills Shortage
10:49 Automation and the Future of Work
13:35 The Role of Government in Adult Learning
13:54 Addressing Immigration and Job Automation
15:31 Government's Role in Industrial Strategy
17:09 Future of Engineering Jobs
19:35 Vocational vs. Higher Education
21:20 Primary and Secondary Education Reforms
To get in touch with the podcast email [email protected]
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this episode, host Steph McGovern is joined by Ann Watson, CEO of Enginuity, and Jamie Ashpole, who runs a chocolate factory in Barnsley with a unique mission.
Jamie, dubbed the ‘real-life Willy Wonka’, uses his factory to teach kids and families about the science and engineering behind chocolate production.
He discusses the motivation behind his endeavour and the innovative ways he combines chocolate and STEM education to inspire the next generation.
Steph, Ann and Jamie also chat about the importance of practical learning and the potential for small businesses to make significant impacts in their industries.
00:00 Welcome and Introduction
00:23 Meet Jamie Ashpole: The Real-Life Willy Wonka
00:30 The Chocolate Factory Experience
01:09 Creative Chocolate Products
02:00 Inspiring the Next Generation of Engineers
09:19 The Science and Technology Behind Chocolate
10:19 Jamie’s Career and Future Plans
11:50 Encouraging Practical Learning in Schools
18:56 Final Thoughts and Farewell
To get in touch with the podcast email [email protected]
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this episode of 'Steph on Skills,' powered by Enginuity, Steph chats with Ruth Amos, a renowned inventor and maker known for her YouTube show 'Kids Invent Stuff.'
Ruth shares her journey from aspiring lawyer to accidental inventor, detailing her early invention, the StairSteady, and her subsequent efforts to inspire young people in STEM fields.
Steph and Ruth discuss the importance of creativity, lifelong learning, the value of real-world experience and the need for businesses to actively support and engage with young people.
00:00 Introduction to Steph on Skills
00:52 Meet Ruth Amos: Accidental Inventor
01:31 The Journey into Engineering
06:06 Kids Invent Stuff: Inspiring Young Minds
10:58 The Power of Social Media in Education
14:45 Encouraging STEM Careers
26:23 Final Thoughts and Takeaways
To get in touch with the podcast email [email protected]
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this episode of Steph on Skills powered by Enginuity, Steph is at Teesside University where she is joined by Jo Burgess, Director of Apprenticeships, and Dr. Samantha Gooneratne, Principal Lecturer of Staffing and Resources at the university.
They delve into the evolving landscape of degree apprenticeships, addressing regional and national growth in vocational skills and highlighting the collaborative efforts between universities and industries to create enriched learning experiences and tackle the skills gap.
They also discuss the societal impact of engineering and the importance of diversity in the field, aiming to dispel myths and encourage both young people and those changing careers to consider apprenticeships.
Learn about the significant benefits of apprenticeships, the innovation happening within Teesside’s engineering department, and how universities are working together to support the region and society’s talent needs.
00:00 Introduction to Steph on Skills
00:16 Meet the Experts from Teesside University
00:37 The Role of Apprenticeships in Universities
02:18 Teaching and Research at Teesside
03:57 The Shift Towards Degree Apprenticeships
06:57 Exciting Research and Projects
09:35 How to Get into Apprenticeships
12:28 Addressing the Gender Gap in Engineering
16:46 Career Changes and Social Mobility
22:13 The Role of Parents and Final Thoughts
To get in touch with the podcast email [email protected]
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In the debut episode of Steph on Skills, powered by Enginuity, host Steph McGovern and CEO of Enginuity, Ann Watson, discuss the urgent skills crisis in engineering and manufacturing.
Mel Stewart, an award-winning welder, also joins the conversation to share her journey into welding, the adversities she faced and how she overcame them.
Mel explains the importance of apprenticeships, the gender gap in engineering, and some of the adventures on which her career path has taken her.
Ann highlights the exciting opportunities in the field, the demand for skilled workers and why it’s a great time to consider a career in engineering.
The discussion also touches on the need to make academic subjects more relatable to real-world applications and the potential impact of new technologies on the industry.
00:00 Welcome to Steph on Skills
00:33 Understanding the Skills Crisis
01:55 Meet Mel: An Award-Winning Welder
02:26 Mel's Journey into Welding
06:11 Facing Adversity in a Male-Dominated Field
08:05 The Changing Landscape of Welding
10:32 Opportunities and Future of Engineering
17:26 Encouraging the Next Generation
22:12 Final Thoughts and Farewell
To get in touch with the podcast email [email protected]
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Broadcaster and qualified engineer, Steph McGovern, introduces 'Steph on Skills powered by Enginuity' - the fortnightly podcast offering insightful conversations with industry leaders, game-changers, and those shaping the UK skills landscape.
Listen to short highlights from a conversation between host, Steph, and the CEO of Enginuity, Ann Watson, as they touch on topics and themes you can expect to hear more about in the new series.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
