A BOLTON College is fast becoming a victim of its own success.

The college is suffering from a shortage of work experience opportunities for engineering students.

Lecturers at the Manchester Road campus have now issued a plea for more engineering firms to offer students a taste of the world of work.

One lucky student who is benefiting from the opportunity to get her hands dirty is Deborah Miseo who has been working one day a week at Rhomec Limited in Bury, which supplies components for trailer units throughout Europe.

The BTEC GNVQ Advanced Engineering student has settled in well in the traditionally male-dominated industry, helped by the fact that the firm's managing director is a woman.

Vicki Sutton has run the company since her father died two years ago and, although she did not specifically look for a girl replacement student, she was delighted to give Deborah a chance.

"She has been brilliant," said Vicki.

"She has picked things up very well and should definitely be able to go into the engineering industry when she finishes her course, although she might need to build up her muscles a bit more!"

Deborah said: "It has been my first real experience of this kind of work and I have loved it. I took a bit of stick at first for not being able to lift things but everyone here has been great and I have learned a lot."

Lecturer Nick Rimmer is anxious to hear from firms which can offer students work experience and are within reasonable distance of Bolton College.

Any firm which may be able to offer student placements, or would like more details, should contact Nick on Bolton 531411, ext 3468.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.