Profile
Steve Markham
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About Me:
Hi, I’m Steve and I live in Newcastle upon Tyne. I’m a contract engineer this means that I work for many different companies all around the UK so I’m often away from home. I enjoy music – I play keyboards and I love to sing karaoke, even if others don’t particularly like to hear me!
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Karaoke is a holiday thing – so no one knows me! When at home I love to be in the garden – sometimes just sitting and listening to nature. I enjoy driving and love cars – I’ve owned many different cars in my past and driven pretty much every brand.
I haven’t always lived in Newcastle – only the last 18 years or so. I was born and grew up in the West Midlands in a town called West Bromwich – you may have heard of West Bromwich Albion – the greatest football team of all time!
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My pronouns are:
he/him
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My Work:
I’m a contract quality engineer in the car industry. As a contract engineer this means that I work for many different companies all around the UK, helping them to solve problems.
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My role means that we help car companies build cars without any problems as there are thousands of different parts in a car, we need to make sure that they all fit together properly. The quality of the car is important to me – and to people who buy them.
Cars are very expensive so people want a car that’s safe, comfortable and doesn’t break down. I work with many other people, not just engineers, but scientists, chemists and technicians who do everything from designing the car, to deciding what materials to use, how to build them, where to buy the parts from – there are so many different roles involved – meaning that there is a career for everyone in the car industry.
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My Typical Day:
Work starts early – around 7.30am so I’m up early – always before 6am to get ready for the day ahead. Breakfast is important so I always have breakfast. Work usually starts with a brief meeting to decide the tasks for the day and then I start work. This can involve using a computer as I have to develop documents – such as instructions for how to build something in the car, I may have to train people, I could be working directly in the factory or in the office. The work is varied, interesting and working with other people gives a great sense of community – all working together to solve a problem.
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The car industry faces great challenges ahead. By 2030, we cannot make or sell any new cars that have a petrol or diesel engine. This is because the fuels that we use give off harmful and dangerous emissions that are harming our health and our planet. So countries around the world have agreed that we need alternative ways to power our cars.
One way is to use batteries. You may have heard of electric vehicles, well these are mainly powered by batteries. Battery powered cars have several problems: they’re expensive compared to petrol or diesel cars; they cannot travel as far as petrol or diesel cars before they need recharging; they take a long time to recharge; they are heavier because of the weight of the batteries and batteries need to be disposed of carefully at the end of their life, which is usually around 10 years.
So, we’re all working together to develop batteries so that they are lighter, more powerful, cheaper and can be charged quickly. We only have a few years to make all of this happen.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I’d select a school that is struggling to buy materials such as activity kits, to help inspire their students to consider a career in a STEM subject. Subjects like maths and engineering aren’t just for boys – there is a career in STEM for EVERYONE!
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Education:
Growing up in West Bromwich, I went to Lodge Estate infant and juniors school, then George Salter high School. My dad was an Engineer – a press tool maker. This mean that he made special tools that pressed flat sheets of metal into shapes that we recognise, such as a kitchen sink, a car door or a wheel barrow. My grandad was also an engineer – he was a rifle maker. So engineering was ‘in my blood’.
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Qualifications:
I left George Salter school with 7 GCEs as they were known then – GCSEs now. These included maths, english language and literature, and of course Engineering.
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Work History:
Once I left school, I began on an engineering apprenticeship for five years. This was at a company that made weighing machines – everything from small scales that you see in the shops, to huge weighbridges that can weigh lorries and their loads. The company employed around 2,000 people and had 100 apprentices. I enjoyed my apprenticeship – I got to meet most of the people there who would train me to use all sorts of equipment and I would learn new skills to prepare me for life as an engineer.
Throughout my career I’ve worked at many different companies and since moving to Newcastle 18 years ago I’ve formed my own company – so now I’m the boss!
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Current Job:
I’m still working as a Contract Quality Engineer and Director of my own company.
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Employer:
My business is called STM Quality Limited.
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My Interview
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What did you want to be after you left school?
An Engineer.
Were you ever in trouble at school?
No - I was always good :-)
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Teaching
Who is your favourite singer or band?
There are so many it's unfair to choose one, but probably Freddie Mercury
What's your favourite food?
Curry
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
To be taller, slimmer and even more handsome!
Tell us a joke.
A lady takes her puppy to the vet. The vet says to the lady "say ahh". The lady says "Me? Say Ahh? Why?" The vet says "because you puppy's died". Ahhh!
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