Apprentice wins West Notts College Award

Congratulations to our apprentice, Rhys Hall, on winning the ‘Most Enthusiastic Learner’ award at this weeks Vision West Nottinghamshire College Vision Awards.

This fantastic achievement places Rhys in the top 1.8% of learners at the college and is recognition of the enthusiasm, commitment and dedication he brings to his apprenticeship.

We are extremely pleased and proud to say that this award also reflects the attitude and application Rhys demonstrates every day at work. His willingness to learn and positive approach make him a valued member of the team.

A huge well done, Rhys – thoroughly deserved!

Internal NewsJune 23, 2026June 23, 2026

AF Academy Students

Last week we presented certificates to our latest cohort of students who have completed their AF Academy qualification.

The AF Switchgear Academy aims to provide industry-leading training and will prepare students for a role in the design, manufacture and installation of low voltage switchgear and control panels.

The course involves:
⚡️ A dedicated 5-day training programme.
⚡️ Based around non-college days.
⚡️ Course is college and site based, at our Facility.
⚡️ Training is AF Switchgear certified.

The course is run in collaboration with Vision West Nottinghamshire College.

It is a great pathway for students to explore the opportunities available within the Switchgear industry and to experience how AF Switchgear is embracing the future for our younger generation.

Internal NewsJune 16, 2026June 16, 2026

Gen+1 Conference June 2026

A lot of hard work goes into delivering an event like the GeN+1 Conference, and last Thursday the Gen+ team absolutely delivered.

Being an ‘Impact’ sponsor of the event, we were delighted to attend and bring along several of our younger generation colleagues.

The conference was a fantastic opportunity for young people to explore the wide range of careers and opportunities available within our industry, we heard from experienced professionals, and gained a much better understanding of the different paths available within the sector.

A particular highlight for us was seeing our very own Harry Foster take part in a panel discussion on ‘early careers’. Harry shared his insights and experiences of supporting the next generation entering the industry.

It was also great to catch up with friends and colleagues, and to see so much enthusiasm from those considering a future career in the industry.

Internal NewsJune 10, 2026June 14, 2026

Data Cloud Global Congress 2026

Last week we attended the Data Cloud Global Congress in Cannes France. This is an annual event that we have been attending for many years.

One again it was a very busy week, we were able to meet up with our existing customers and to meet new ones.

So from us, thank you to everybody we touched base with and we look forward to seeing you all next year.

Internal NewsMay 5, 2026May 5, 2026

AF Switchgear Apprentice Evening 2026

Last week, we hosted our ‘Apprentice Open Evening’ at AF Switchgear Headquarters — and yet again what a fantastic event it was !

This was our busiest Apprentice evening yet, and it is clear that the interest in our AF Apprenticeship programme continues to grow year after year. That momentum speaks volumes about the strength of our business and the opportunities we are able to offer as a local employer.

We welcomed a great turnout of students, along with their parents and carers, all very eager to learn more about careers in Electrical Panel Building and Metal Fabrication. The evening provided a valuable opportunity to showcase what we do, who we are, and the pathways available to those looking to start their careers in Electrical Engineering.

Our apprenticeship scheme has been running for over 40 years, and we are incredibly proud that one of our very first apprentices is still part of the team today—a true testament to the long-term careers we help build.

A big thank you to our current apprentices, senior leaders, and wider team who ALL played a part in making the evening such a success. Events like this take a huge amount of preparation, and it was great to see so many colleagues come together to support the next generation.

We were also pleased to be supported by Vision West Nottinghamshire College including Andrew Cropley and his team.
Vision West Nottinghamshire College are a key partner in delivering our apprenticeship programme.

The feedback from attendees last night was overwhelmingly positive, with a really strong interest from potential applicants. We look forward to welcoming as many of them as possible when our next cohort joins us in September.

A brilliant evening and a proud moment for everyone at AF Switchgear. 👏🏼

Internal NewsApril 9, 2026April 9, 2026

New Board Appointments at AF Switchgear Ltd

New Board Appointments at AF Switchgear Group 👏🏼

We are pleased to announce that Steven Garrard, Harry Foster and Sam Foster have joined the AF Switchgear Group Board of Directors.

These appointments strengthen our Board by increasing capacity to focus on strategy, broadening our skills and expertise and enhancing governance across the business ~ benefiting both our colleagues and clients.

We are confident that their leadership will support AF Switchgear’s continued growth and we wish them every success in their new roles.

Internal NewsApril 9, 2026April 9, 2026

Group Metropolitan Roundtable Apprentice event

As part of National Apprenticeship Week NAW2026 back in February, Group Metropolitan hosted a roundtable event in London, bringing together Apprentices, Government representatives and industry leaders to discuss skills development, trade progression and the future of the sector.

We were pleased to be represented by our Production Manager, Paul Garrard, alongside our ‘Apprentice of the Year’, Reuben Lowe. The event provided a valuable platform for open and honest conversations, with a strong focus on how we can collectively support and develop the next generation of skilled professionals.

A huge thanks to Richard Irwin of GeN+1 for chairing the discussion, and to everyone who attended and contributed. The passion for apprenticeships across the room was clear, reinforcing the importance of continued collaboration to drive positive change—particularly in promoting apprenticeships within schools as a rewarding and viable career path.

For more information on our Apprentice intake for September 2026 please visit the website link below, we work in conjunction with West Notts College.

West Notts College Apprentice details

We will be taking on 10 Electrical Panel Builders and 1 Metal Fabricator, candidates must have a Grade C / Level 4 in Maths and English Language.

Internal NewsApril 9, 2026April 9, 2026

Steve Sellars Retirement

Retirement News 📰

Congratulations to Steve Sellars on his retirement and a big thank you for the incredible contribution he has made since joining the Company as an Applications Engineer back in April 1994.

Over so many years (32), Steve has given not only his skill, knowledge, and dedication, but also his kindness, patience, and support to everyone around him.

Steve rose through the ranks to become a Senior Applications Engineer in February 2023 and then Senior Applications Support Engineer in May 2025.

Steve has been so much more than a colleague — he has been a trusted friend, a source of wisdom, and someone people could always rely on. The impact he has made will not be forgotten, and his presence will be deeply missed.

We wish Steve, and his wife Diane, a truly happy and well-deserved retirement, filled with good health, special moments, and all the happiness this next chapter of life can bring.

Internal NewsApril 9, 2026April 9, 2026

Apprentice Evening West Notts College March 2026

We had a fantastic (and very busy) evening at the Apprentice Event with Vision West Nottinghamshire College .
The response this year has been our strongest yet, and we’re excited to be recruiting for our September intake.
We are currently offering Apprenticeship opportunities in:

: Electrical Panel Building x 10 positions
: Metal Fabrication (Welder) x 1 position

Many of our team members started as Apprentices and have gone on to build long-term careers with us, progressing into senior roles and even director level, or developing into different areas of the business.

If you’re looking to start your career with a company that values growth, development, and opportunity, we’d love to hear from you.
Minimum entry qualifications are GCSE Level 4 (Grade C) in Maths and English Language. Please visit West Notts College website for application details:

Apprentice application information

Internal NewsMarch 12, 2026March 12, 2026

Data Centre World March 2026

Once again we had a great 2 days at Data Centre World London 2026.

It was a very busy event for our team, with our stand welcoming a steady stream of visitors across both days.

A big thank you to everyone who stopped by to see us. If we didn’t get the chance to catch up during the event, please feel free to drop us a message — we’d still love to connect.

Thanks as well to our brilliant team who represented the business over the two days.

We look forward to seeing everyone again next year.