A M&E Consultancy in Solihull has welcomed 12 trainees who have started their professional training.

The trainees have joined Couch Perry Wilkes (CPW) and they will specialise in an array of areas including mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, lighting, public health and finance. They will also be provided with the opportunity to complete industry-recognised qualifications as well as receive in-house mentoring from the firm's experienced team.

Danielle Smith, the firm's new trainee lighting designer who recently graduated from Birmingham City University with a degree in textiles design, said: "I really enjoyed studying lighting within an interior design module as part of my course so I was particularly interested in the opportunity of a trainee role at CPW advertised through my university.

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"Lighting design takes my existing skillset one step further as you have to ensure the end product not only looks great but is also functional and viable. Bringing my creativity into an engineering world gives a fresh perspective which I think CPW really like.

"We've learnt so much already on the training programme. I have been on site visiting projects and speaking to clients, which has been brilliant. Engineering isn't very well promoted to women which needs to change as it's definitely not just a man's industry – so far I've loved every second."

Wayne Eustace, Director at CPW, said: "We pride ourselves in being ahead of the curve in supporting the next generation of engineers, offering traineeships, apprenticeships and vocational training as well as offering mentoring opportunities throughout colleges and universities across the country.

"Many of our past trainees have achieved high grades in their qualifications, which really highlights how much of an impact mentoring can have on young engineers throughout their academic studies."