Broadcaster Steph McGovern and Formula 1 icon Ross Brawn will visit Reading, Berkshire, on February 11, 2026, to show how local people can build successful careers through training on the job. The event at the Town Hall aims to encourage more businesses to offer apprenticeships to help close the local skills gap.
The showcase is being organised by REDA (Reading’s Economy & Destination Agency), the body responsible for promoting the town’s economy. It will feature a mix of talks and a networking fair where residents can meet local training providers to learn about new job opportunities.
Both guest speakers began their careers as apprentices: Steph McGovern started as an apprentice engineer at Black & Decker before becoming a well-known TV journalist, while Ross Brawn began as a mechanical craft apprentice at the UK Atomic Energy Authority (Harwell), later worked at March Engineering in Bicester and Williams Grand Prix Engineering in Reading, and went on to lead some of the world’s most successful motor racing teams.
Local business leaders from the Reading Central and Abbey Quarter districts hope the event will help around 900 town-centre businesses find the talent they need to grow. Nigel Horton-Baker, CEO of REDA, said these training programmes are vital to making sure the town remains a leading hub for technology and innovation.
The event starts at 1:00 PM and is part of National Apprenticeship Week, a national week dedicated to celebrating vocational training (February 9–15, 2026). Residents and business owners interested in attending can find more details and sign up through the What’s On Reading website.
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