High-flier Katy Linforth is making it her mission to help more women follow her into the male-dominated world of engineering.

She has just been selected as one of five finalists in the prestigious Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards run by the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

And the former pupil of The Girls' Grammar School, Bradford, hopes her success will encourage other women to follow in her footsteps.

Katy, 26, has won her place in the finals for her work managing various renewable energy projects for Kirklees Council, such as the wind turbine at Spen Valley Sports College, Liversedge, and the solar panels at a Huddersfield school.

But she has also impressed the competition judges during a rigorous round of interviews and presentations for sharing her passion for engineering by regularly giving talks to school students about her job.

She said: "Engineering is really exciting because you are able to use your knowledge and put it to practical use, to create something or design something that will actually help people."

Katy, of Hunsworth Lane, Cleckheaton, who completed an MSc in Engineering at Loughborough University, said that in an industry where only eight per cent of the UK's engineers are women, it was vitally important to encourage more women to enter the profession.

She said: "It still is a male-dominated profession. On my recent course there was only one other woman.

"Girls drop out of science subjects at school because it is dominated by boys but in the industry you do not feel it, you are part of a team and I want to encourage everyone to work as a team."

The UK Resource Centre at Bradford College was created in 2004 to encourage more women into careers in science, technology and engineering. Annette Williams director of the centre, which is funded by the Department of Trade and Industry, said: "We support women who want to go into science-related careers, and work with employees to ensure there are no barriers for women working in this area.

"It is really positive giving rewards and awards to women who are breaking through in these areas, and particularly for Katy and Emily Cummins.

"We hope to encourage employers to recognise the potential of girls and women."

Awards are nothing new to Katy, who has also been nominated for the Best Environmental Initiative of 2006 at the Electrical Industry Awards.

The winner of the Young Woman Engineer of the Year will be announced in January and will receive a cheque for £1,000 and an engraved trophy.

Dr Alf Roberts, chief executive of the Institute of Engineering and Technology, said: "All of the finalists are fantastic role models for other young women who might be considering a career in engineering."

e-mail: ali.davies@bradford.newsquest.co.uk