A WIDNES A-level student is the latest teenager to be welcomed into engineering by The Mersey Gateway Project.  

Chloe Sutch was given a week of work experience with Merseylink Engineers who showed her what is involved during the engineering process.

The 17-year-old is currently studying A-level maths and 3D arts as well as doing a BTEC in science at Carmel College in St Helens and has expressed an interest in architecture and engineering.

Chloe said: "It was great to get out on site with the Merseylink team and especially to have the opportunity to talk to some of the younger female engineers.

“They gave me an insight into what it's like to work on an engineering project of this scale as a woman.

“It's been an amazing experience and it's helped me realise that I definitely want to pursue a career in civil engineering."

The construction, which is in the top 40 priority projects in the Government’s National Infrastructure Plan, has around 60 women working on the project.

During her week, Chloe was introduced to experts in bridge design, health and safety, environment, ecology and communications as they explained what roles they play in the project.

Graduate civil engineer Rosey Thurling, who works on the project, was impressed with the attitude that Chloe displayed in the week she spent with them.

Rosey said: "It was a pleasure to accompany someone so engaged and interested in a career that many 17 year olds may never have even thought about. 

“Women are still very much the minority in site-based engineering and for me it is crucial to encourage young women and inform them of all the fantastic opportunities that are out there with a career in civil engineering."