A 19-year-old apprentice electrical engineer has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.

Erin Lowe has made it to the final of the Institution of Engineering and Technology's (IET) Young Woman Engineer (YWE) of the Year Awards.

Miss Lowe, who works at Yamazaki Mazak UK, which is based in Worcester, wires electrical components, looms cables, and carries out earth testing, as well as electrically adjusting the CV5-500 machining centre.

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Over the last year, she has also delivered educational tours of the European manufacturing plant, attended career and trade fairs, and supported the cadetship programme.

Miss Lowe is up for three awards and will be competing against four other engineers.

She said: "I am truly delighted to have been selected as a finalist for this year’s YWE awards, and I hope that my nomination will serve as a catalyst for change on many levels, including helping to challenge outdated perceptions of what an engineer looks like.

"I am optimistic that other young women seeing news of my nomination will take into consideration what opportunities our industry can offer them."

The IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards aim to highlight engineering talent and find role models who can help address the UK's science and engineering skills crisis by promoting engineering careers to more girls and women.

Currently, only 15.7 per cent of those working in engineering occupations are women.

Dr Laura Norton, head of equality, diversity, and inclusion at the IET, said: "Engineering and technology have been improving our world and shaping our future for centuries.

"However, due to a lack of understanding around what engineering is, perceived gender norms, and not enough visible role models for the next generation, the UK has a shortage of women engineers.

"Our awards tell the stories of incredible women engineers who are changing our world for the better and shine a spotlight on them as role models to get more girls excited and inspired about a career in engineering.

"I’d like to congratulate Alexia, Erin, Marisa, Natalie, and Salma for making the final five and demonstrating the tremendous talent of women working in our industry today."