“PEOPLE have a perception of engineering as some dirty laborious environment.

“It’s not like that and women shouldn’t be scared about coming into engineering.”

Diane McGeorge is unequivocal.

Working at car parts firm ZF TRW, which has a plant in Peterlee, east Durham, she oversees the improvement of operations across the firm.

Yet it could have been different.

The former Dewhurst machinist had wanted to become a nurse but when that dream faded she joined ZF TRW, which makes safety electronics, including airbag control units and forward looking safety cameras, as a production operator.

That was in 1990 and she remains at the firm today.

But she doesn’t look upon the time with any sense of regret.

Moreover, when asked about her career choice, Ms McGeorge, from Thornley, near Peterlee, radiates positivity.

Speaking on National Women in Engineering Day, which takes place today (Thursday, June 23) and aims to raise the profile and celebrate the achievements of women in the sector, she said: “There are some great careers in this area, and engineering skills are really needed in the region.

“It’s really interesting and there are so many different avenues to go down.

“Women shouldn’t be scared.”

Her rallying call was reiterated by fellow ZF TRW worker, Karen Collins, who was faced with jibes she had taken a man’s job upon her entry into engineering.

Ms Collins, from, Boldon, South Tyneside, works as a new product introduction engineer, ensuring staff are aware of new parts and mechanisms for manufacturing.

She said women shouldn’t be put off pursuing a career just because of their sex.

She added: “I enjoy my job and I don’t walk into work thinking I’m carrying out a male role.

“However, it hasn’t always been like that.

“When I started a mechanical and production engineering course at college, a one male student said to me, ‘you’re taking a man’s job; what are you doing this for?’

“That kind of attitude is terrible, but it’s not like that here.

“I’m treated no differently because I’m a woman and that’s how it should be.

“It would be good to see more women in engineering roles, but only if they were the right person for the job.

“That’s what it should be about.”

The duo’s calls have been given further ballast by 14-year-old Katie Barber, who is on a two-week placement at the company.

One of only two girls in her year group to choose engineering work experience, she said her time at ZF TRW has been enlightening.

She added: “There are so many different areas, such as design, technology and maintenance, which are all interesting in their own right, and I’d have loved more girls from my school to come and try it.

“I’m definitely thinking about it for my future career.”

ZF TRW also has a sister factory in Houghton-le-Spring, near Sunderland, which focuses on steering systems.