Transport for London has announced that eighteen year old Shauni O’Neill has been awarded the National Apprentice of the Year Award.
Having already been named London Apprentice of the Year in May, Shauni, who lives in Borehamwood, went on to scoop the top prize at the National Apprenticeship Awards at a ceremony in London on Wednesday (29 June) night that recognised apprentices throughout the country.
TfL was also recognised by the National Apprenticeship Service, featuring in their Top 100 Apprenticeships Employers list as part of the GLA Group.
Tube Lines, which carries out essential maintenance and upgrade work for London Underground, also features in the top 100.
Shauni began her Rail Transport Operation Apprenticeship with London Underground in September 2009 and completes the course in two weeks (mid July) she will then take up her new role as a Customer Service Assistant at Hendon Central Tube station.
She has become a role model and ambassador for both TfL and the apprenticeship scheme, featuring on London Underground’s recruitment website and attending events to promote apprenticeships.
Shauni said: “I’m ecstatic to have received this award and to have been given the opportunity by London Underground to become an apprentice, learn new skills and get the experience that matters when it comes to getting a full time job.
“I would like to thank everyone at London Underground who has invested their time in helping me to get where I am today.”
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “It is absolutely fantastic to see that London apprentices such as Shauni are forging a national reputation for themselves by scooping top awards like these.
“Many congratulations go to Shauni for her important work on the London Underground and to all of the other winners who have triumphed.
“The National Apprenticeship Awards show that there are some really great things being achieved by apprentices and their employers across the country and it is vitally important we recognise them.”
As an apprenticeships champion, TfL provides an array of opportunities in engineering, operations and maintenance functions.
In support of the Mayor of London’s apprenticeship campaign TfL has committed to deliver more than 2,500 apprenticeship positions – internally and through its suppliers by 2012.
