In this episode of Steph on Skills, Steph returns to Harland & Wolff – the iconic Belfast shipyard – to chat with a dynamic group of apprentices carving out careers in welding and steelwork. The group includes people from vastly different backgrounds, ages, and life stages, each sharing their inspiring journey into engineering.

From rediscovering passions in their 30s to juggling parenting with training, the apprentices talk about the ups and downs, the skills they’ve learned, and the strong sense of community that powers their progress.

00:00 – Welcome Back to Harland & Wolff

01:00 – Meet Naomi: From Farming to Fabrication

02:30 – Meet Andole: The 17-Year-Old with Big Dreams

03:45 – Meet Dean: The Apprentice Dad

05:00 – Meet Lisa: From Milking Cows to Steelwork

06:30 – Building a Diverse, Supportive Culture

08:00 – Finding Belonging and Breaking Barriers

09:00 – Juggling Work, Study, and Parenting

10:15 – Why They Chose Apprenticeships

11:30 – What Skills Do You Really Need?

13:30 – The Power of Communication & Community

14:30 – Job Security and Career Opportunities

15:30 – Advice for Anyone at a Crossroads

16:30 – Ambitions: From Supervisor to CEO

17:45 – Final Thoughts and Farewell

Get in touch with the podcast with your comments, feedback and ideas via [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.