MORE women are needed in the civil engineering profession to ensure the future equality and success of the sector, an industry body has warned.

The North-East Civil Engineering Contractors' Association (CECA) has issued the warning after initial attempts to tempt young women into the sector through a new training course failed.

The organisation launched a course at Newcastle College earlier this month - the first of its kind in the country - to tackle the predicted future skills shortage in the sector, and appealed for women to enrol.

However, of the 29 young people who have signed up, none are female.

Douglas Kell, director of CECA, said the level of interest was "disappointing" and said that the new jobs being created by its member companies were going spare.

He said it could also jeopardise plans to launch a second course in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham in the near future.

"We are both bemused and disappointed. We want to see more women employed in our industry. We already attract an encouraging number at graduate level," he said.

"The 85 additional jobs our members are now creating - equal to one additional employee per member - are to draw more young people aged 16-plus into civil engineering.

"The jobs will suit particularly those who like to work with their hands and who want to learn a variety of trades and skills. However, to date, only young men have applied."

Mr Kell said more efforts would be made by CECA over the coming months to promote the civil engineering profession, in the hope that more applications will be received for the course's next intake later in the year.

"We hope more young women will respond at the next opportunity," he said. "Many are guided by parents and some may not think civil engineering at ground level is glamorous.

"But our member companies offer permanent prospects and opportunity to advance. And, as the firms are spread throughout the region, chances of finding work near home are good, no matter which part of the region people are from.