Debbie Showell has reached new heights as one of the country’s first female crane drivers in a male-dominated industry.

Debbie, of Wibsey, was the second woman in England to become qualified in the job and is one of only three female crane drivers in the UK.

She has worked for Rotherham-based Bramall, part of the Keepmoat Group, for 18 months, and is helping to build a £5 million 48-bed extra care facility with Guinness Northern Counties.

She is responsible for operating and maintaining the crane, and carries out up to 100 lifts of materials per day. She said: “The key skill is clearly the ability to accurately judge the weight of the object and the strength and direction of the wind. I’ve never been scared of heights and love the towering views.”

She is usually the first woman many of the company’s male employees have worked with, but is undaunted.

She said: “Most male colleagues are curious rather than negative. I overcome their doubts by showing them that I can do the job to a very high standard. It’s really like having 30 husbands or big brothers at work!”

Meanwhile, 15 female engineers are being given the opportunity of free media training to help them boost their profiles.

Ingenious Women launches in September until March 2011 and training takes place in York and London and women engineers need to apply before July 16. A form along with more information can be downloaded from theukrc.org/about-us/our-projects/ingenious-women.