Global switchgear manufacturer R&B Switchgear Group welcomed Elsie Blundell MP, Member of Parliament for Heywood and Middleton North, to its esteemed R&B Switchgear Academy during National Apprenticeship Week.
The visit formed part of the MP’s engagement with local employers to understand the practical delivery of apprenticeship programmes and the opportunities and challenges facing businesses investing in skills development.
At the heart of the visit was the R&B Switchgear Academy – a structured, employer-led engineering training programme embedded within a live manufacturing environment. Apprentices are integrated into the workforce from an early stage, developing practical skills and competence alongside experienced engineers, while working on complex switchgear projects and completing accredited qualifications in partnership with local colleges.
During the visit, Ms Blundell toured the manufacturing and engineering workshop, observing live production activity including switchboard assembly, circuit breaker retrofits and the modernisation of legacy switchgear systems. She met apprentices across mechanical and electrical disciplines, discussing their routes into engineering, how they balance technical study with hands-on manufacturing experience, and their longer-term career ambitions within the sector.
The visit also included time with individual apprentices currently progressing through the Academy. Lily Chandler, a third-year apprentice and recent ‘Apprentice of the Year 2026’ at Hopwood Hall College, discussed her development within the business and her ambition to build a long-term engineering career. Christian Bennett, who has progressed from apprentice to Junior Field Service Engineer, reflected on his journey from being one of the Academy’s earliest recruits to contributing to projects across the UK.
A key focus of the tour was the company’s specialist expertise in upgrading, repairing and refurbishing existing assets to extend operational life and enhance compliance. This includes the modernisation of legacy Whipp & Bourne equipment originally manufactured in Castleton, preserving heritage engineering capability while supporting critical infrastructure across sectors including energy, utilities and rail in the UK and internationally.
“It is impressive to see the level of specialist engineering expertise here in Heywood. The apprentices I met are developing high-level technical skills within a real-world, and live, manufacturing environment, contributing directly to projects that support critical infrastructure. Crucially, they are happy, enjoying the challenge and looking forward to their future!”
Elsie Blundell MP, Member of Parliament for Heywood and Middleton North
“I was particularly struck by the company’s commitment to upgrading and modernising existing switchgear assets, extending their lifespan and maintaining essential services across the UK and internationally.”
Sean Floyd, Head of Engineering at R&B Switchgear Group, added:
“Our apprenticeship programme is central to how we sustain specialist engineering capability. Alongside manufacturing new switchgear systems, we provide upgrade, retrofit and refurbishment solutions for infrastructure assets that remain vital to national networks.
“Embedding apprentices within live operations ensures those technical skills are transferred to the next generation, strengthening regional capability and supporting the long-term resilience of critical infrastructure.”
The Heywood facility serves as both a manufacturing hub and a centre for workforce development, reinforcing the region’s role in advanced engineering and infrastructure support.