Steph on Skills powered by Enginuity

Recorded at Make UK’s National Manufacturing Conference at the QEII Centre in London, Steph welcomes Make UK CEO Stephen Phipson and Enginuity CEO and Make UK Board Member, Ann Watson, on to the podcast to discuss the UK manufacturing skills crisis and solutions.   Stephen has spent 35 years as a leading industrial figure and has worked directly for government in a number of appointments. He tells us about Make UK’s rich history and role supporting manufacturers with services, including training and running one of the UK’s largest apprentice training centres.  He also shares his own story of being an apprentice and the prestige it held.  With the sector facing around 50,000 vocational vacancies and a sharp fall in engineering apprentice starts - from about 130,000 pre-2016 to 45,000 last year after the Apprenticeship Levy - Steph asks Stephen and Ann what needs to happen to ensure a future pipeline of workers in manufacturing and whether the Government is doing enough to support the industry.  Together they discuss the challenges of an ageing workforce, SME funding and cost pressures, confusion from frequent policy changes, the need to fix Further Education provision, and improve access to levy funds. Stephen also offers his own opinion on the role of AI and why we should remain optimistic that it will be beneficial for the sector. 00:00 Live from Make UK at the QEII Centre00:36 Meet Make UK01:35 Stephen’s Own Apprenticeship Story04:10 Manufacturing Snapshot08:28 SME Barriers And Costs11:08 Government Solutions Push14:29 The Need for Design & Technology in Schools18:22 The Urgency for Joined Up Policy20:49 AI Impact on Manufacturing22:37 Final Thanks Get in touch with us at sospod@enginuity.org 

Steph is at Teeside University to welcome sport broadcaster and Deputy Lieutenant of Northumberland, Jeff Brown, where he takes the opportunity to turn the tables and quiz Steph on her love of all things engineering and how proud she is to have an Enginuity scholarship for women in engineering in her name.  The pair reminisce about the first time they met, which happened to be at Wimbledon, and bond over their shared North East upbringing and work ethic.  Jeff asks how Steph balances being a broadcaster, writer, novelist, podcaster, and mum; as Steph explains the reasons behind her drive to keep busy.  Steph describes how her attendance at a city technology college sponsored by British American Tobacco, exposed her to technology, science, strong funding, practical projects with local businesses, and broader career possibilities and why that played such an important role in the opportunities which came next. She also recounts early rejection from BBC Cleveland after being told she ‘wasn’t the right type for the BBC’, and details how she eventually started working in broadcasting through persistence and behind-the-scenes roles, before a BBC Breakfast Editor changed the trajectory of her career by challenging internal attitudes about regional accents and putting Steph in front of the camera. The conversation returns to Steph’s work with Enginuity as she explains why she’s eager to support women in engineering and improve social mobility particularly in her home region.  00:00 Welcome and Introductions00:31 First Meeting at Wimbledon02:41 Work Ethic and Roots04:20 School That Sparked Engineering06:20 Careers Advice and Finding Your Thing08:12 Money and Women in Engineering09:00 Breaking into Broadcasting11:14 Accent Bias and BBC Breakthrough15:10 Creating Opportunities Through Scholarships16:57 Writing Crime Novels and Never Slowing Down18:49 Final thoughts Get in touch with us at sospod@enginuity.org

In this episode, Steph is back at Teesside University to meet Jorja Karmen, a bright, young Chemical Engineering student and beneficiary of an Enginuity scholarship.  Jorja tells us about her less conventional route into chemical engineering, including how attending a nuclear and radiochemistry summer school in Leeds introduced her to the topic and how she juggled taking an extra course to meet entry requirements while working, post A-levels, as an assistant restaurant manager.  Jorja discusses the impact of being diagnosed with Asperger’s late in Year 11, and how it’s helped her own understanding of the way she processes and thinks, and the benefits that has brought.  Now in second year, Jorja shares why she started the Process Engineering Society at Teesside University, the need for more early representation to encourage girls into engineering and her own career goals.  She tells us why funding support through Enginuity has helped her focus on her studies by reducing financial burden and lowering her stress and outlines her next steps including her hopes for her upcoming placement year. 00:00 Meet Jorja: Chemical Engineering student at Teeside University 01:01 The Summer School That Sparked a New Path 01:58 Finding a Route In: Access Course, Working Life & Learning From ‘Wrong Turns’02:59 Mental Health & Late Autism Diagnosis: Understanding Yourself05:05 Big Influences: Mum’s Entrepreneurial Drive & Resilience05:58 Starting Uni Without the ‘Right’ A-Levels: Imposter Syndrome, Being One of Few Women07:14 Thriving in Year 2: Launching the Process Engineering Society08:29 Placements and Career Goals 11:15 Why She Loves Engineering: Challenge, Passion, and Hyper-Focus11:36 Women in Engineering: Representation, Stereotypes, and Starting Young12:59 Career Switch & Confidence: ‘Academic Enough’ vs Real-World Skills15:17 Life Beyond Uni17:33 Funding & Support: How Scholarships Reduce Stress and Keep You Focused18:58 What’s Next: Placement, Grad Role GoalsGet in touch with us at sospod@enginuity.org

In this special episode for National Apprenticeship Week, Steph interviews Chris McDonald, Minister for Industry in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and the Department for Business and Trade. The comprehensive discussion takes a look at the current UK apprenticeship ecosystem, its strengths and weaknesses and how to address the challenges which are hampering the supply chain of new talent for the UK manufacturing and skills industries. Chris shares stories from his own experiences starting out in the steel industry, and tells us why he’s dedicated to promoting apprenticeships. Plus why he believes government initiatives can expand apprenticeship opportunities, improve flexibility, and enhance the recognition of vocational training. 00:00 Introduction to National Apprenticeship Week00:23 Interview with Chris McDonald: Background and Current Role03:14 Government Support for Industry Skills Transition03:45 Balancing Net Zero Goals with Business Growth06:01 Expanding and Improving Apprenticeships10:36 Challenges and Solutions in Apprenticeship Systems13:22 Promoting Apprenticeships and Skills Training18:18 Addressing Social Mobility and Local Opportunities19:37 Challenges Faced by Disengaged Youth20:38 Innovative Apprenticeship Programs22:49 Personal Experiences and Reflections27:24 The Role of SMEs in Apprenticeships28:55 Government's Role in Supporting Industry31:04 The Future of Manufacturing in the UK36:20 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsGet in touch with us at sospod@enginuity.org

In this episode Steph meets Harry Young-Jamieson, the Managing Director of St Eval Candles, and one of the firm’s young apprentices, Cameron.  Based on a farm in a North Cornwall village the family run business employs 70 staff, including three apprentices – making them a significant employer in the area.Harry shares the history and evolution of the family business from its humble origins as a small candle factory to its role as a significant player in the market and discusses how the company has overcome challenges along the way, including the untimely death of his father, Tim, who was co-founder of the brand. The episode also delves into the importance of apprenticeships and vocational training, with Cameron sharing the decisions which led him to an apprenticeship, and his ambitious plans for the future. Together with Steph they discuss the need for greater awareness and support for apprenticeships, the role of local colleges, and community engagement in recruitment and training efforts, highlighting the benefits for both businesses and young people. 00:00 Welcome 00:22 Meet St. Eval Candles00:52 The Journey of St. Eval Candles03:09 Cameron's Apprenticeship Experience04:34 The Importance of Apprenticeships07:24 Challenges and Community in Cornwall16:36 Future Plans for St. Eval Candles20:01 Cameron's Future Aspirations21:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts This episode was recorded in December 2025. Get in touch with the podcast at sospod@enginuity.org

In this episode, Steph meets three recipients of the brand-new ‘Steph McGovern Women in Engineering Scholarship, powered by Enginuity’. Abigail, Munachi and Katie are all students at Teeside University and share their individual journeys into engineering, revealing what sparked their passion for the subject, who have been their role models, and their aspirations within their specific branches of engineering. They discuss the importance of visibility and support for women in STEM, the diverse opportunities within engineering and how, as future engineers, they aim to solve global challenges. The students also talk about how the scholarship will have a meaningful and positive impact on their studies. 00:00 Welcome and Introduction00:07 Meet the Scholarship Recipients00:49 Abigail's Journey to an Engineering degree03:14 Munachi's Path to Chemical Engineering06:56 Katie's Passion for Electrical Engineering12:00 Challenges and Solutions in Engineering16:02 The Importance of Engineers for Society’s Future17:47 Final Messages Get in touch with us at sospod@enginuity.org