A teenager from Oldham who became the first female apprentice in her role has been identified as a trailblazer of women at work in a national scheme.

Ellie Shepherd was the first female apprentice to take on a shopfloor role at Hill's Panel Products.

The 17-year-old, who is doing her Level 2 Furniture Manufacturer Apprenticeship with HPP, decided to pursue a manual apprenticeship after seeing her 19-year-old brother, Sam, work as a cabinet maker.

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Ellie, from Chadderton, said she was even more determined to do well when her decision was met with scepticism in some quarters.

She explained: “I was told I should think about working in a pharmacy, or some kind of work like that.

"But when I saw what my brother was doing, I said that’s what I wanted to do, and even though people said I wouldn’t be able to, I said I was going to prove everybody wrong, and I am doing.

“I love my job and the responsibilities I’m being given at work are growing all the time."

Now, the teenager will be one of 25 women from across the UK who has been picked to "fly the flag" for women at work for International Women's Day by featuring in the 'Apprenticeship A-Z of Women at Work', where she comes under 'F' for 'furniture maker'.

The A-Z is a series of flashcards and case studies which is sent to schools and colleges in a bid to inspire the next generation of apprentices - and to mark both International Women's Day on Friday, March 8, and National Careers Week on Monday, March 4.

The book has been compiled by Amazing Apprenticeships, a leading organisation in education which works with schools, colleges and employers to tackle misconceptions and promote the benefits of apprenticeships and technical education.

The former Co-op Academy Failsworth pupil, who left school with six GCSEs, added: "I’m buzzing to think that what I’m doing now could encourage other young women to do what I’ve done."

Ellie started her apprenticeship at another Oldham-based business before joining HPP, which manufactures and supplies board, doors, fittings and accessories to the fitted kitchen and bedroom industry, last summer.

The teen is due to finish her studies later this year.

Amazing Apprenticeships founder and CEO, Dr Anna Morrison CBE, said: “To create the ‘Apprenticeship A-Z of Women at Work’ we have trawled the length and breadth of the apprenticeship world to discover 25 unique, confident and amazing female apprentices who are working in a fantastic range of different job roles.

“But aren’t there 26 letters in the alphabet?

"Yes, there are – but the letter X has been filled by ‘X marks your apprenticeship spot’.

"We want everyone involved to spread the word about this inspiring resource and the huge breadth of opportunities for women that it promotes.”

International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated annually on March 8 and is an important moment to inspire other women to see the breadth of opportunities available to them through apprenticeships.

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