A Bury College student has boosted his engineering skills after working with trains on a East Lancashire Railway (ELR) placement.

Matthew Wheeler, who attended Tottington High School, was given the opportunity to expand on the skills he has developed in college on his engineering course and has fully taken advantage.

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The college and ELR have a longstanding relationship allowing students to take on various opportunities across their organisation.

Matthew said: “The placement has made me more knowledgeable about engineering and improved my confidence and communication skills.”

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Andrew Hardman, acting head - traction and rolling stock engineering and administration management at ELR, said: “We have been offering placements to Bury College students for the last four years.

“It has given people like Matthew a great experience and a way of enhancing their skills.

“They are always keen to learn, and their work ethic is always fantastic.

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“From a wider business perspective, it also gives our staff and volunteers an opportunity to get involved in mentoring the students, which can give their own careers a boost.”

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