A CARLISLE company is working with local schools to encourage girls to take up a career in engineering.

Kingmoor Consulting, which specialises in civil, structural and geotechnical engineering, are offering female students work experience opportunities.

Colin Aimers, Kingmoor Consulting director, said: “It’s a fantastic time to study engineering as the UK needs twice the number of current graduate engineers.”

He made a call for more girls to consider engineering after recent visits by pupils in local sixth forms – and after seeing research showing that only 11 per cent of the engineering workforce is female.

The UK has the lowest percentage of female engineering professionals in Europe, at less than 10 per cent.

“Engineering is inherently linked with engines, but it is so much more,” said Mr Aimers.

“It is everything we use and do.

“It is important to encourage potential engineers with the wide range of activities we undertake, in particular girls who have great maths or physics as well as a passion for being creative.

“As an engineer, you can make a real difference to the world and help to shape our futures by contributing to the challenges we may face in energy, communications, healthcare, manufacturing, transport and other sectors.”

Recent sixth formers to take up the challenge came from Trinity High School, in Carlisle, and William Howard School, in Brampton.

Rose Williams, 17, of Trinity High School, hopes to study structural engineering at university. She spent a week at Kingmoor Consulting.

It included site visits to building companies Reiver Homes, McKnight and Sons, and Lattimer Homes, seeing projects at different stages of build, as well meeting clients for new projects, learning CAD packages and building models.

Rose, who is in year 13, said: “I really benefited from the knowledge and experience they had to offer when I spent a week with Kingmoor Consulting.

“I realised there is much more to civil and structural engineering than I first thought."