Chloe bridges the divide between school and work
● A BUDDING teenage civil engineer from Widnes has spent a week learning from those constructing the Mersey Gateway Bridge.
Chloe Sutch, 17, is studying for A-levels in maths and 3D art and a BTec in science at Carmel College in St Helens.
She gained a week of practical experience for her CV and worked with Merseylink.
Chloe said: “The Mersey Gateway Project is right on my doorstep and I’ve been watching the construction for months.
“I thought that getting some relevant work experience would help me with future job applications and interviews.
“I’d really like to apply for an advanced apprenticeship where I can learn on the job and study for a degree at the same time.”
A Merseylink spokeswoman said that the joint venture was a keen advocate of women in engineering and that there were around 60 women working on the project.
They have roles in civil engineering, health and safety, the environment and administration and Chloe was able to spend time with them.
Her first stop was a visit to Merseylink’s materials lab where graduate engineer Hannah Grainger explained the logistics of mixing, testing and delivering the concrete that is being used to build the bridge deck and approach roads.
She then met graduate civil engineer Rosey Thurling, who took her to see some of the specialist equipment being used on the project.
Rosey said: “It was a pleasure to accompany someone so engaged and interested in a career that many 17-year-olds may never have even thought about.
“Women are still very much the minority in site-based engineering and for me it is crucial to encourage young women and inform them of all the fantastic opportunities that are out there with a career in civil engineering.”
Chloe said: “It was great to get out on site with the Merseylink team and especially to have the opportunity to talk to some of the younger female engineers.
“They gave me an insight into what it’s like to work on an engineering project of this scale as a woman.
“It’s been an amazing experience and it’s helped me realise that I definitely want to pursue a career in civil engineering.”