From Engineering to Parliament: The Journey of Labour MP Mike Reader

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

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