A YOUNG female engineering apprentice is celebrating after being named as one of the top 50 women engineers in the UK.

Talented Abbie Beaver, 17, became the first female trade apprentice taken on by leading West Midlands multi-disciplinary engineering firm, the adi Group, when she joined last September.

The teenager had already completed adi’s two-year pre-apprentice scheme aimed at inspiring local students to consider a career in engineering.

Now she has been recognised by the prestigious Women’s Engineering Society (WES) after exceeding expectations in her current role.

She has been selected to be one of the WES Top 50 Women in Engineering (WE50) 2019: Current and Former Apprentices.

Abbie, based at adi Group’s Kings Norton base, said she was thrilled to be recognised on the list.

“When I first came here I had plans to get to grips with the working environment and pursue something I enjoy, which is what has happened,” she said.

“Having been here over two years now and gone through the pre-apprentice scheme, I’m really enjoying my job.

"I would definitely encourage other girls to consider going into engineering.”

Elizabeth Donnelly, the chief executive officer of the Women’s Engineering Society, said Abbie’s place on the list is testament to her hard work from a young age.

“Abbie Beaver has been a keen advocate and spokeswoman for women in engineering since her school days," she said.