Steph McGovern, 37, took to the micro-blogging site and revealed the importance vocational education has had on her career. A Twitter user had replied to Steph and spoke about their own son who pursued hands on experience which led him to want to pursue an engineering degree. The person in question said: “Once at uni the theory could be visualised in the workplace so he was more motivated to pursue this engineering degree/career . Hands on experience and working with people are skills not to be dismissed.” Steph replied in view of 365,000 followers: “Ooh interesting. I did a Year In Industry too. Made all the difference. Wouldn’t be where I am without it. Great to hear your son’s story too.”
The BBC Breakfast host revealed she had taken a year to gain work experience as a trainee engineer at Black & Decker, which also involved studying part time at college.
However, Steph admitted she still attended university after this because she “felt I had to, so that society would judge me as ‘clever’”.
It comes after the BBC business reporter had announced she created a day for young people to celebrate achieving vocational qualifications.
She penned: “Nearly time for my annual celebration of people completing vocational quals.
“Next Wed 14th Aug people who’ve done BTECs, City&Guilds, NVQs, Cambridge Technicals etc will be on BBC News (like A-Level results day). Here’s why I created this day last year,” with a link to her blog post which highlighted the main issues.
Fans flocked to comment, as one person said: “BTEC OND and HND in Construction. Worked better for me being @MadeByDyslexia !! Would not have succeeded at A Levels.”
Another person commented: “Good for you Steph. Recognition for those of us without a degree and had to work hard for years.”
While a third person added: “Great initiative Steph, especially given that so many of our students @ESColleges get highly valued vocational qualifications that lead to university and/or great jobs. Thanks for your ongoing support.”
Meanwhile, the BBC Breakfast presenter who is expecting her first child with her girlfriend, hit back at a social media user earlier this week as they criticised the BBC for renewing Shop Well, For Less?
Steph gushed: “Happy to say Shop Well For Less has been recommissioned for a fifth series. Thanks to everyone who has been watching!
However, not everyone was excited about the news.
One person said: “The BBC will commission any old twaddle if the presenters tick the right boxes. That’s why it’s dying.”
Unsurprisingly, the BBC Breakfast host hit back at the comment, revealing it is a fan-favourite.
“And yet it still gets the biggest share of viewers whenever it is on,” the mum-to-be replied.
“So there are millions of people who like our ‘old twaddle’. Sorry you don’t.”
BBC Breakfast airs weekdays on BBC One at 6.00am
