FEMALE engineering students from Widnes have addressed the future of women in the industry in front of hundreds of people.

Students studying a new engineering course at Cronton Sixth Form in Liverpool Road, addressed an audience of 500 professionals from the construction, engineering and housing sectors at the Inspire Summit at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester last week.

The summit was focused on attracting and retaining women in the construction and related industries and provided the students with an opportunity to meet experts in industry, organise work experience and secure mentoring links for their time at college.

Seven female engineering students including Freya Corkhill Cantwell, previously from Wade Deacon High School in Birchfield Road, Widnes and Elizabeth Holian previously from Ormiston Chadwick Academy in Liverpool Road, Widnes accompanied Jo Hall, deputy head of engineering at Cronton to attend the national event.

During the conference, Freya and Elizabeth took to the stage alongside Jo to speak to the delegates about the importance of influential industry role models and the college's strategies on the growth of female students on engineering courses.

Elizabeth said: “The event was very empowering, seeing lots of different women working at all levels in construction.”

Freya said: “The day inspired me and made me realise that I could go much higher in my career.

"It was great to meet people from different companies and organise work placements for my course.”

Jo said: “This event was a fantastic opportunity for myself and the students to address an audience of professional and highly acclaimed figures in the construction industry.

"I spoke about the wonderful facilities we have at the college including the new state of the art IDEA Centre, the variety of courses offered and the fact that 50 percent of the engineering staff are female, all leading to fantastic opportunities for both female and male students."