A young engineer based in Bolton has been shortlisted for an award.

Loura Hoang is a consultant at ERM.

The 33-year-old has been nominated for the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s (IET) Young Woman Engineer (YWE) of the Year Awards 2023.

She works to help people deliver safe and sustainable operations and mentors engineers.

She said: “I am delighted to be a finalist, and to be honest, starstruck to be listed with such incredible women in the engineering sector, who are also my role models.

“I believe that representation truly matters, and I want to use this platform to show everyone that engineering is an incredibly exciting career path regardless of gender, ethnicity, or traditional family beliefs.”

As well as highlighting engineering talent, the IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards seek to find role models who can help address the UK science and engineering skills crisis by promoting engineering careers to more girls and women.

Just 16.5 per cent of those working in engineering occupations are women.

2022 Young Woman Engineer of the Year, Ama Frimpong, said: “The IET’s YWE awards are all about celebrating the achievements of women engineers and shining a light on the work they’re doing to make a difference in the world, so to be named the IET’s Young Woman Engineer of the Year was such an honour, and it means so much to me."

“We don’t talk enough about the phenomenal women in STEM, past or present, who have improved the lives of so many. These awards recognise and champion women in STEM to inspire the next generation, where girls and women that pursue STEM subjects and careers are supported and encouraged to stay, make their mark and change the world.”