Young army soldier recognised for her hard work and talent at apprenticeship awards

Lance Corporal Lucyanne Leo, 21, an Electronics Technician serving with the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) was named winner in the award’s Advanced Apprenticeship category.

LCpl Leo based at Tidworth, Wiltshire with 3 Armoured Close Support Battalion REME, had already been recognised as the best in her cap badge.

She said: “I was shocked but pleasantly surprised. I also didn’t expect to be nominated as I just do my job and get on with it to the best of my ability, it’s what I’m employed to do.”

Lucyanne, who attended Cardinal Allen Catholic High School in Fleetwood has served for four years in the UK, Germany and Canada.

Prior to joining the British Army she researched all the different trades available.

She said: “The Army was a direct route into a professional job role with a guaranteed permanent job, and a promised qualification at the end of it.

“Job satisfaction is definitely the best thing about my job. Fixing a vehicle so people can carry on with their jobs is a good feeling.”

As the UK’s largest employer provider of apprenticeships, the Army has more than 14,000 people on an apprenticeship programme at any one time with more than 6,000 soldiers completing an apprenticeship each year.

Speaking at the awards event at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on Wednesday, Lieutenant General Tyrone Urch CBE said: “I am delighted to welcome some of our very best apprentices here, selected by their own programmes to represent our awe-inspiring soldiers, as well as a selection of those that support and champion them. All of these soldiers are already considered outstanding in their own field.

This event provides your Army, our Army the opportunity to show off its excellent apprenticeship programme.”