Leeds Transport Planning Apprentice Wins Place at National Apprenticeship Awards 2022

A Leeds College of Building apprentice has won ‘Advanced Apprentice of the Year’ in the London regional final of the National Apprenticeships Awards 2022.  

As a result, Leora is automatically entered in the National Apprenticeship Awards 2022 finals taking place at a special London ceremony on Wednesday 30 November.  

Now in their 19th year, the National Apprenticeship Awards are England’s biggest apprenticeship awards ceremony. The awards recognise the achievements of exceptional apprentices, apprenticeship champions, and apprenticeship employers, and show how apprenticeships have made a real difference to their organisation and careers. 

Apprenticeships help shape successful lives and build successful businesses across a large and diverse range of sectors. The Awards give both individuals and businesses the chance to showcase the very best in practise across the country.

Leora is a second-year Leeds College of Building Transport Planning Technician Apprentice, working at global engineering, management, and development consultancy, Mott MacDonald. Leora provides technical support to professional transport planners in the implementation of projects to manage and improve transport systems and services. 

Leora said: “I was completely lost for words and just had the biggest smile on my face for the rest of the day, and week! I am really excited for the final in a few weeks’ time and to continue spreading the message about how amazing apprenticeships are!”

Leora collected her award alongside Mott MacDonald Principal Transport Planner and line manager, Sarah Crane, and Principal Transport Planner and Transport Lead for Sports and Major Events at Mott MacDonald, Tom Fussell. Sarah Crane said: “Leora has been involved in a number of exciting projects at Mott MacDonald as part of her apprenticeship including transport planning for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, completing a transport assessment for new developments in Wales and several Travel Plans. She is also Global Early Career Professionals Lead for the Transport Planning Practice.”

Brian Duffy, Assistant Principal for Adult & Higher Education at Leeds College of Building said: “This is such excellent news with another great accolade for one of our amazing transport planning apprentices; it’s really good timing as well, after Leora presented to our employer board only a few weeks ago! Congratulations to everyone involved in this success, especially to Leora. This award is another opportunity to shine a light on this brilliant apprenticeship standard, our team, and the fantastic apprentices that Leeds College of Building is producing in partnership with our employers.”

Leora is riding high after winning the prestigious ITS (UK) Essay Award earlier this year. Her essay entitled “Changing Perceptions and Going Green with Intelligent Transport System Solutions” focused on improving the environmental impact of transport. Leora is the fourth Leeds College of Building student to win the coveted accolade over the last five years.