Military working dog handler who serves at St George's Barracks in North Luffenham will find out today if she's won British Army's Apprentice of the Year award
A military working dog handler who was told at school that she wouldn’t amount to anything is in the running to be named the British Army’s Apprentice of the Year.
Private Amy Gray, 27, who serves with 1st Military Working Dog Regiment (RAVC) at St George's Barracks in North Luffenham, has been highlighted for her ‘true dedication to her own personal development and progression’ as she works towards her Advanced Apprenticeship in Animal and Care and Welfare.
“I’ve wanted to be a dog handler since I was 11,” said Amy, who works as a Vehicle Search Dog handler with her dog Coco. “I don’t know how or why, but I knew that it was my dream job and I would stop at nothing to reach my goal.”
She continued: “After failing my GCSE’s I was told I wouldn’t amount to anything. However, having completed my intermediate apprenticeship and now working towards my advanced, I can say that I have proven them all wrong. I am very proud of what I have achieved and overcome, not only within the programme, but in my Army career in general.”
The Apprenticeship Programme has seen Private Gray improve her English and Maths successfully passing her Level 2 English and Level 1 Maths on the scheme. Promotion is her next goal. She said: “I want to promote to Corporal and become an Instructor so that I can encourage people like me to believe that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. I would also like to qualify as a dog trainer in the future.”
Private Gray’s Officer Commanding, Major Joanne Gilles, describes her as a true inspiration to those around her. She said: “Private Gray thoroughly deserves an Army Apprentice Award. Her contribution to the Squadron has increased exponentially since her involvement in the Apprenticeship Programme. She has grown in confidence and ability and her contribution to training has been invaluable.”
The Army is one of the biggest employer providers of Apprenticeships in the country. Approximately 14,300 soldiers are on one of 52 apprenticeship programmes that reflect the Army’s full range of trades; including dog handler.
Private Gray will find out if she has won the award at a prestigious ceremony at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst today (Wednesday, March 6). The Army is celebrating the achievements of all of its apprentices as part of National Apprenticeship Week, which runs from March 4 to 11.
