AN apprentice is getting ready to start work after impressing judges in a regional competition.

Ellie Dunnington has secured a job with Wilton Engineering Services, based near Middlesbrough.

The 18-year-old welding and fabrication student also competed in the regional heats for WorldSkills UK Engineering Construction Metalwork, at Hartlepool Further College of Education.

She said: “I feel so lucky to secure an apprenticeship with Wilton.

“It depends what route I go down but I could be a welder or plater.

She was nominated to compete in the construction metalwork category of the national contest, which is one 13 engineering competitions runs by Semta, and had to make the base of a crane.

Judges will reveal next month if she has made it through to the national finals in Birmingham.

She said: “I was first attracted to engineering by the whole hands-on side of things.

“I like the way you can construct something, fabricate it and see everything come together rather than just looking and wondering.”

“My mam is really proud of me and thinks it’s great that I’m doing engineering.

“I would definitely advise other girls to do it as it is a great experience and you are thought no differently to the boys and it is really good fun.

“Everybody has been really supportive since I started college."