'Vocational training was one of my best decisions'

More women and people from ethnic minority backgrounds are being encouraged to consider careers in engineering and manufacturing.

In-Comm Training, based in Aldridge and Telford, said it wanted to help eliminate obstacles faced by the communities as well as encourage firms to stick to their own inclusivity targets.

The organisation provides apprenticeships and said it had targeted "hard-to-reach groups" in a bid to fill a skills shortfall in engineering.

One of those featured in a 90-second campaign video is Nteokan, a Wolverhampton Girls' High School pupil, who said she did not want to follow the same A-Level and university path as most of her friends.

She started a Level 3 Machining Technician Apprenticeship in September 2023 and said choosing a work-based route had been "one of the best decisions" she had made.

"I've really enjoyed learning the technical elements and then immediately applying them to real-life engineering scenarios - all whilst earning a wage too," she said.

Nteokan hopes to complete HNC/HND courses next and is targeting an engineering design job.

There is a skills gap in the sector and In-Comm said it was important not to exclude any group if the country was to fill jobs that the economy depends on.

"There have been major strides made, but this is just the start," said In-Comm executive director Bekki Phillips.

"We want to accelerate the good work and help industry bridge the major skills gap we face by being even more inclusive."

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