YOUNG women hoping to break into a traditionally male-dominated industry have been out to see the job at first hand.

Ten girls from Southmoor and Pennywell schools in Sunderland went on a tour around two specialist engineering companies.

Sunderland ITEC recruitment and placement officer Peter Smith arranged the outing for the year ten students with a view to engaging more young women in the engineering industry.

The group spent a morning on the office and shop floors of Sunderland's ABB Engineering, which manufactures equipment for power stations, before travelling to sigNET (AC) in Washington in the afternoon to focus on the electronics side of the sector.

Both tours gave the young women an insight into the work-based training of the companies' Modern Apprentices.

Lindsay Dagg, 15, from Grangetown, a pupil at Southmoor, said: "When we were told about the event, I jumped at the chance.

"Most of my friends are looking to stick to traditional careers. I want to do something different and an engineering Modern Apprenticeship with one of these companies would be a great experience. Both tours were really helpful and informative."