COLLEGE bosses highlighted the work of three of their female students to mark International Women in Engineering Day.

An annual awareness campaign to showcase the talents of young female engineers, Bury College has an increasing number of students on their books matching the description.

And this year's theme, amid the pandemic, has been 'Engineering Heroes' and the efforts they have made to combat climate change.

Ellie Stokes, a Level 3 Engineering student, arrived at the college from Tottington High School Academy, and hopes to progress to a higher-level apprenticeship in either nuclear or aerospace engineering eventually.

She said “I wanted to do an engineering course because I wanted to do something challenging and new. The department feels very inclusive and I have made loads of friends. My favourite part of the course is learning how to use the new software, including computer aided design software.”

Another ex-Tottington High alumni, Libby Smith, has gained the skills necessary for employment or further study in the future.

She said, “Studying an engineering course at Bury College allowed me to develop both my teamwork and independent learning skills.

"The tutors are all really supportive and good at explaining things.

"I want to either study a civil engineering course at university or get a job at an engineering firm and work my way up.”

And Lucy Farrell,l a former Unsworth High student, also has ambitions in the civil engineering field, hoping to secure a higher-level apprenticeship in the sector.

She added: "I wanted to do engineering because I enjoyed construction and design technology in school, and wanted to do a practical course like that.

"I really like studying maths as part of my course, and I have improved my computer skills so much. When I started at Bury College, I could barely even save a file.”

Christopher Mayoh, college engineering head, said: "The female students that choose to study here have great ambition and all the skills required to progress in the competitive engineering industry. The college strives to ensure that a student’s gender has no impact on their access to a course, and that all students are provided with the skills and confidence to achieve their potential and progress within the sector."