Teen hopes to be crowned Apprentice Champion of the Year (From Borehamwood Times)

Teen hopes to be crowned Apprentice Champion of the Year

3:11pm Monday 8th October 2012 in News By Anna Slater

A motivated teenager who swapped A-Levels for a training scheme is hoping to be crowned the Apprentice Champion of the Year.

Transport for London (TfL) worker, Shauni O’Neill, of Organ Hall, Borehamwood, is asking members of the public to vote for her to help her achieve her dream.

She was handed the title of Central Eastern Apprentice Champion for Hertfordshire at an awards ceremony on Thursday, so is now in for a chance of becoming the UK winner. 

The 19-year-old said: “I cannot believe how far I have come. I am really impressed with all of my achievements to date.

“It was just amazing when I found out that I had won the regional award. To be the overall winner for the whole country would just be unreal.

“It is so inspiring to know that all of these people believe in me, that is what is keeping me going.”

Miss O’Neill began work as an apprentice for the London Underground in September 2009 after finishing her GCSEs.

Last year, she was left feeling ecstatic when she picked up an award for Apprentice of the Year, in a competition run by the National Apprentice Service.

She then went on to work for Hendon Central tube station, in Barnet, before being nominated for the second award.

She added: “Working for TfL as an apprentice gave me so much confidence and I am really glad I chose to do that instead of A-levels.

“I am asking as many people as possible to vote for me win for a second time”.

To vote, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ApprenticeshipChampion2012. Voting closes on October 29.