A record number of young women have joined JCB as apprentices — almost double last year’s intake. The nine women have been recruited as part of the company’s Young Talent initiative, which attracted over 1,000 applications for more than 100 new jobs for apprentices, graduates and undergraduates.

Group HR director Alan Thomson said: “We are delighted that more and more young women seem to be recognising that engineering represents an opportunity for a rewarding and exciting career.

"When the Young Talent programme first started in 2012, there was a solitary female among the apprentice intake. To have nine female apprentices this year is fantastic, and we hope it could mean that the tide is finally beginning to turn.”

Kidsgrove-based Amy Harris (pictured, right), a Higher Apprentice Engineer, said: “I decided that I wanted to get out into the world and do something different, rather than going to university.

"A lot of girls shy away from things like engineering because they think it’s mainly for lads and they are a bit intimidated by it, but that doesn't worry me at all. I think it's great that JCB are going out of their way to encourage more females to apply for apprenticeships.”

Georgia Thorley, of Cheadle (second right), who has also joined JCB as a Higher Apprentice Engineer, said: “I was part of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths scheme at school, and I found it really interesting. There are so many different skills involved and there’s always something new to discover and learn about.

"I'm not bothered about being a girl in a male-dominated world; I just take it in my stride. All my friends and family have been very supportive of my decision, and I would recommend a JCB apprenticeship 100%.”