Two aspiring engineers from R&B Switchgear Group have secured top honours at the 2026 Hopwood Hall College Apprenticeships Awards, with their achievements later recognised in Parliament during National Apprenticeship Week.
At just 19 years old, Lily Chandler was named Apprentice of the Year 2026, while 20-year-old Christian Bennett received Highly Commended in the same category. Both are apprentices within the R&B Switchgear Academy, based at the company’s Heywood manufacturing facility.
The awards ceremony, held at the Norton Grange Hotel in Castleton, celebrated outstanding apprentices and employers across Greater Manchester. Lily was recognised for mastering complex engineering concepts and demonstrating exceptional technical capability within a live manufacturing environment, where she contributes to the assembly and refurbishment of specialist switchgear systems supporting critical infrastructure projects across the UK and internationally.
Christian’s commendation marks a significant milestone in his progression from apprentice to Junior Field Service Engineer. Having begun as one of the Academy’s earliest recruits, he now works on engineering projects nationwide, applying the technical foundations developed during his apprenticeship.
Beyond their technical roles, both apprentices have demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting early talent initiatives across the region. They have actively contributed to National Apprenticeship Week, National Manufacturing Day, college engagement events and regional skills initiatives, helping to inspire the next generation of engineers.
Lily has played a particularly visible role in promoting engineering pathways, delivering talks and presentations to aspiring students at local colleges and speaking during R&B Switchgear Group’s National Manufacturing Day events. She also represented the business at the Atom Valley launch event alongside the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, highlighting the importance of advanced manufacturing and regional regeneration.
The R&B Switchgear Academy is a structured, employer-led engineering training programme embedded within live manufacturing operations. It integrates accredited technical education with hands-on production, testing, retrofit and refurbishment work, ensuring apprentices develop real engineering competence while contributing to complex infrastructure projects from an early stage.
The Academy forms a core pillar of the company’s long-term strategy to sustain specialist capability in low voltage switchgear manufacturing, circuit breaker upgrades and lifecycle asset refurbishment – areas critical to national infrastructure resilience.
R&B Switchgear Group also sponsored the inaugural Local Impact Award at the ceremony, reinforcing its commitment to regeneration and opportunity across the borough. The award was won by Albany Products in recognition of its contribution to nurturing local talent and driving community growth.
During National Apprenticeship Week, Lily’s achievement was highlighted in Parliament by Paul Waugh, Member of Parliament for Rochdale.
“I’m proud to give a shout out in Parliament to Lily Chandler … winner of Apprentice of the Year at the 2026 Hopwood Hall Apprenticeships Awards.
Speaking in Parliament, MP Paul Waugh said:
“It’s a pleasure to highlight all of the brilliant local businesses and young people who work so hard for our area.”
Jo Hindle, Group HR Director at R&B Switchgear Group, said:
“Lily and Christian represent exactly what structured, employer-led apprenticeship delivery can achieve. Not only are they developing high-level technical capability within a live manufacturing environment, but they are also actively supporting outreach and engagement across the region.
Sustaining specialist engineering competence requires long-term investment in people. The Academy ensures that knowledge, standards and professional responsibility are passed to the next generation, safeguarding the skills needed to support critical infrastructure across the UK and internationally.”
With more than 40 years of engineering heritage and operations supporting energy, utilities, marine and rail sectors worldwide, R&B Switchgear Group continues to invest in developing the next generation of engineers who will sustain essential infrastructure for decades to come.