A BROMSGROVE teenager has become the first female trade apprentice at Birmingham-based engineering firm Adi Group.
Abbie Beaver, 17, is busy breaking down stereotypes as she manoeuvres her way through the traditionally male-dominated world of wielding and fabrication.
Abbie said: “My friends find it interesting. Most women don’t go into engineering so showing what I can do has really impressed them.
“I want other women to give it a shot by doing a taster day.
“If they enjoy it they should get into the workshop, even if it’s male-dominated, because I think we can do the job just as well as men if not better.”
The former North Bromsgrove High School student spends four days a week at Adi Group and one day at college.
“It beats school by miles,” said Abbie. “You get the same qualifications but you’re earning while you’re leaning.”
Abbie became interested in engineering at the age of 14 when she signed up for Adi Group’s pioneering pre-apprenticeship programme.
The scheme, run in partnership with North Bromsgrove High School since 2016, gives a select group of 12 GCSE students the chance to get valuable experience in real-life work environments.
Abbie’s apprentice mentor Gareth Thorns said: “She’s coming on leaps and bounds. Apprenticeships help young people by giving them drive, direction and the skills they need to base the rest of their career on.”
For more information about apprenticeships, visit www.adiltd.co.uk