Currently in the UK only 7% of people working in the engineering sector are women. So, an engineer from Hull who became Northern Gas Networks’ (NGN’s) first female network officer has called on more girls to consider apprenticeships within engineering.

Amanda White, who is based in NGN’s Hull depot, joined the company straight from school in 1997, beginning her career in office support before quickly realising her passion lay within the engineering side of the business after applying for the role of a customer liaison officer.

After becoming NGN’s first and only female network engineer Amanda moved steadily upwards through the business and is now a highly skilled Network officer with the dedicated support of NGN.

Launched in 2005, NGN’s apprentice programme has successfully employed more than 100 recruits as part of its inspire Academy.

During the four year programme which mixes both hands-on training and college-based learning with one to one mentoring, NGN aims to encourage talent and growth to transform raw recruits into fully-qualified engineers.

Passionate about promoting the fantastic career opportunities for women within NGN, Amanda has recently held a ‘Women in Industry’ event to engage and inspire female colleagues from other departments, to make the leap to engineering.

Amanda said: “Beginning a career with an established company at a young age is a great start. NGN has always been keen to progress the careers if those people who work hard and I am proof of that. I had no engineering experience when I joined the company, but with the support of on-site training, a dedicated mentor and many courses later, I am gaining all of the experience I need to succeed. To go on a course is great, but to be on-site learning in “real” time is the most beneficial source of training as there is no substitute for experience.

“I think it would be great not only the sector but also for the local region to see more young women in operational and engineering roles. An apprenticeship is the perfect way to do this so you can literally earn while you learn.”