The Industry Wave
The Industry Wave
Podcast Description
Welcome to The Industry Wave, a podcast produced by Scottish Engineering! It aims to bring you a deeper understanding of the people, companies and technology that make Scotland’s dynamic engineering sector tick.
Scottish Engineering has been at the heart of advancing Scotland’s engineering sector for 160 years, representing the interests of its members whilst supporting progress within our industry. With Industry Wave we want to create a platform where a wide range of engineering people with something interesting to say can share their reflections and insights and discuss challenges and solutions that will shape the future of Scotland’s engineering landscape.
In an industry where challenges and opportunities are a constant part of our makeup, we are sure we will always have something to talk about.
We hope you can tune in and join in the conversation.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
This podcast focuses on the dynamic engineering sector in Scotland with themes including personal journeys in engineering, education opportunities, and technological innovations. Specific episodes highlight topics such as the legacy of female leadership in engineering and the innovations by young engineers, like a prosthetic heart valve prototype.
Welcome to The Industry Wave, a podcast produced by Scottish Engineering! It aims to bring you a deeper understanding of the people, companies and technology that make Scotland’s dynamic engineering sector tick.
Scottish Engineering has been at the heart of advancing Scotland’s engineering sector for 160 years, representing the interests of its members whilst supporting progress within our industry. With Industry Wave we want to create a platform where a wide range of engineering people with something interesting to say can share their reflections and insights and discuss challenges and solutions that will shape the future of Scotland’s engineering landscape.
In an industry where challenges and opportunities are a constant part of our makeup, we are sure we will always have something to talk about.
We hope you can tune in and join in the conversation.
In Episode 12 of The Industry Wave, we celebrate a major milestone—one year of the podcast—by sitting down with rising engineering talent Zak Thomson, Scottish Engineering’s Young Engineer of the Year 2025 and design engineer at Emtelle.
Recorded in the Scottish Borders, Zak shares his journey from a hands-on, uncertain school leaver to an award-winning innovator shaping global telecom solutions. Through the apprenticeship route, he built practical skills and a problem-solving mindset that led him to tackle a real-world customer challenge—developing a groundbreaking, low-cost method for installing fibre optic cable without the need for bulky ancillary equipment.
This episode dives into the story behind that innovation: from relentless testing and unexpected breakthroughs to the creation of a simple yet powerful device now driving global impact. Zak also reflects on the importance of curiosity, resilience, and stepping outside your comfort zone—along with the value of trust, teamwork, and leadership early in a career.
Whether you’re an aspiring engineer, industry professional, or simply curious about how ideas turn into real-world solutions, this episode offers an inspiring look at modern engineering in action.
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
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