A YORK rail apprentice has won her third award this year and is now looking to encourage more women into the profession.

Rebecca Munro, a rail engineer with Mott MacDonald in York, has won the Apprentice of the Year category at this year’s RailStaff Awards.

A permanent way technician, Miss Munro was described as a “star of the future”” in her nomination and a “superb ambassador for the industry”.

One of only two girls in a class of 80 students, Mss Munro completed her Advanced Technical Apprenticeship last year, achieving the highest possible grade. She is now working towards a Higher Level Apprenticeship.

It is Miss Munro’s third award of the year, something she hopes will encourage other women who are looking to join the sector.

Miss Munro, from East Heslerton, said: “I’m so proud I’ve won the award, and I think it’s a fantastic recognition for other women going into the industry to show where you can go with it.”

The 21-year-old now hopes to go on and become an Incorporated Engineer (IEng) with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and eventually work towards chartership.

Miss Munro, who studied at Norton College prior to joining Mott MacDonald in 2014 as an apprentice civil engineer, explained why she chose to pursue a career in engineering: “It’s such an achievement to say I designed this and there’s thousands of people using it every day.”

Neil Henderson, railways director, Mott MacDonald, said: “Becky is a rising star in the rail industry. She has excelled at college, is hardworking and puts her heart and soul into everything she does. Becky is an important member of our rail team in York and has applied her learning to great effect.

“She recently received her EngTech from the Institution of Civil Engineers and has already won several prestigious awards in recognition of her excellent work during her short career.

“Having managed Becky since she joined us, I have seen her go from strength to strength in her professionalism and technical ability. Additionally, her personal commitment to helping others through various corporate social responsibility activities and mentoring schemes is admirable.

“It is clear from this dedication that Becky is a deserved winner of the 2017 Apprentice of the Year award as she is a great role model for other apprentices.”

The RailStaff Awards were held on October 7 at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena.