If you female, are interested in science and engineering then you could find yourself in demand with EDF.

The French energy firm behind Hinkley Point nuclear power station is seeking to recruit female engineers and technicians through its Pretty Curious marketing campaign. One woman who has bucked the trend is Amy Edmundson from Bridgwater who has trained as an electrical engineer. Amy attended King Alfred’s School in Burnham-on-Sea and looked around for a career and a college course.

“I’ve always been interested in science subjects,” she said, “and when I saw the EDF apprenticeship I really wanted to do it. So I applied and was successful with my application. It’s a four year apprenticeship with two years in Portsmouth living on a navy base, then you spend two years back in Somerset working on Hinkley B power station.”

One of the attractions of the course is the social side said Amy who said everyone looks out for each other and you make friends for life.

“I don’t think enough girls realise there are really good jobs available in science-based subjects, because they see engineering as dirty engines and something that is hands-on and greasy,” she explained. “But actually it’s not like that. There is so much you can do with a science qualification, so many different jobs available and it’s all about awareness for girls about these opportunities that needs to be pushed.”

She said career prospects are really good, plus salaries are higher in engineering than many other subjects. Amy is an electrical maintenance engineer at Hinkley B checking all the wiring and installations which she says is practical and very interesting. From cleaning electrical components to checking batteries and panels and doing much of training in the simulator suite at Cannington Court.

“It’s a really interesting industry, as science is always developing,” she said, “and a lot of girls would do well in it. No girl should feel she isn’t good enough to do science; women are just as good as men if not better.”