Megan chalks up a first

A WARRINGTON teenager has enrolled as the first female mechanical engineer at the Port of Liverpool.
Megan Pickering, 19, who studied BTEC in Public Services at Priestley College, has signed up for a four-year course at the Maritime and Engineering College North West in Birkenhead.
Megan (pictured) said she was amazed by the port when she arrived.
She said: “It’s not until you get on site and see the scale of activity that you realise just how much machinery is involved in the day-to-day operation of the port. It’s a very exciting prospect for a trainee engineer.
“The port is paying for an education I just couldn’t get anywhere else. Some people go to university and all they come out with is debt. I’m getting all of this and a livelihood – for free. I’m really proud to be here.”
She will work towards an NVQ3 in her third year and an HNC qualification in her fourth. All 12 apprentices will develop skills in fabrication, welding, calibration and diagnostics, as well as report writing and problem solving.
Staff at the port work with tutors at the college to make sure the course teaches port skills and is technologically up-to-date.
Michael Southworth, principal at Priestley College, said: “We are very proud of what Megan has achieved. At Priestley we aim to prepare students for life after sixth form in ways that best suit them and it is great to hear about Megan’s success.”