Five female Mechatronics Apprentices from Tresham College in Corby, part of The Bedford College Group, have been putting their electrical wiring skills to the test as part of an exciting project in partnership with Tayto Group Limited.

The group, who are all studying level 3 Mechatronics, stepped up to take on a bespoke panel wiring project, designed not only to stretch and challenge their practical skills, but also to shine a spotlight on the next generation of female engineers.

In addition to Tayto Group Limited, four other employers have supported their apprentices through the initiative: Katie Ashcroft, Tayto Group Limited, Drew Carmichael at Carmichael Engineering Limited, Lilly Cheal at Sealed Air Corporation, Fianna Jennings at Whitworths Ltd and Marie-Tress Smith at Briggs Irrigation. This cross-industry collaboration underscores the shared commitment to nurturing diverse engineering talent and widening participation across STEM professions.

Paul Granfield, Head of Employer Partnerships for Engineering at Tresham College, said:

“We couldn’t offer opportunities like this without the fantastic support from employers like Tayto, and we are extremely grateful to all our apprenticeship employers.
“Each apprentice entered engineering from a different background, at a different age, and from unique starting points. Yet all five share a drive to develop new technical skills, represent their employers with pride, and help inspire other young women to pursue careers in engineering. Their confidence, capability, and commitment make them natural ambassadors for the sector.”

Nicola Platt, Group Learning & Development Business Partner at Tayto Group Ltd, added:

“It’s so wonderful to be able to support women in engineering in partnership with Tresham College, with active real-life skills development through the Panel Wiring Project. Together we are building the engineers of the future, and I, for one, could not be prouder of this exceptional group of female engineers, leading the way.”

Tayto apprenticeship

Inspiring others into engineering

Although the project does not contribute to graded assessments, it plays a valuable role in strengthening and advancing the apprentices’ applied knowledge. As a course-enhancement activity, it allows learners to push boundaries, refine their technical understanding, and gain hands-on experience that mirrors the demands of industry.

Tresham College is immensely proud of these five apprentices and is confident they will continue to inspire others to follow similar routes into engineering.

To find out more about the courses available at Tresham College, visit: https://bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk/colleges-and-campuses/tresham-college/

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