Recorded at the Make UK Conference at the QEII Centre in London, Steph is joined by Robert Halfon, the former MP, Skills Minister and Education Select Committee chair, who is currently Executive Director for Policy Membership and External Affairs at Make UK, and Marisa Kurimbokusto, a Chartered Engineer who was awarded ‘Young Woman Engineer of the Year’ in 2024.

Robert's extensive work on skills and apprenticeships has transformed opportunities across the UK. As Skills and Apprenticeships Minister, he changed careers advice to ensure apprenticeships were promoted in schools, launched the Skills for Life campaign and supported the development of UCAS for Apprenticeships to give apprenticeships equal status with university applications.

Marisa graduated from the University of Cambridge with a Master’s degree in Aeronautical and Aerothermal Engineering and her career in product design and systems engineering within the automotive and power electronics industries has seen her land roles with Jaguar Land Rover, Triumph Motorcycles, Lyra Electronics and Aeristech. She’s currently Head of Engineering for the custom battery manufacturer Raeon. 

Together, Steph, Robert and Marisa discuss how to improve access to apprentices, the need to reduce red tape and increase funding, and tackling gendered stereotypes and stigma around vocational routes.

00:00 Introduction to guests

00:35 Marisa’s Engineering Journey

01:38 Robert’s Skills Mission

08:19 Gender Stereotypes in Schools

10:09 Why ‘Making’ Matters

11:46 Facing Bias and Inclusion

12:30 Women in Engineering Gains

13:02 Apprenticeships Boom

13:48 School Outreach Reality

14:39 Fixing Careers Guidance

18:53 Apprenticeships and Mobility

22:59 Removing Stigma 

26:56 Thanks and goodbye 

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