AF Switchgear Apprentice Evening 2026

AF Switchgear Apprentice Evening 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. 👏🏼

New Board Appointments at AF Switchgear Ltd

New Board Appointments at AF Switchgear Ltd

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.

Group Metropolitan Roundtable Apprentice event

Group Metropolitan Roundtable Apprentice event

 

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. 

Steve Sellars Retirement

Steve Sellars Retirement

 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.

Apprentice Evening West Notts College March 2026

Apprentice Evening West Notts College March 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

Data Centre World March 2026

Data Centre World March 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.

25 Year Work Anniversary achievement.

25 Year Work Anniversary achievement.

25 Year Work Anniversary achievement.

Today we had the pleasure of recognising an incredible milestone — 25 years of dedicated service to AF Switchgear. 🤝

Mike Ratcliffe joined the Company on 6th March 2001 as Production Manager moving to Operations Manager 4th November 2002. Mike is also the Group’s Health and Safety officer, looks after our Environmental issues and has represented the Company with the ECA – Excellence in Electrotechnical and Engineering Services for over 12 years and has a very active roll at branch level including the honourable position of Branch Chairman for much of that time.

“Those who work with Mike know that he brings a strong work ethic, committed  leadership, and a willingness to step in whenever needed.”

It is also important to mention our Apprenticeship program of which Mike has had a lot of involvement with, working very closely with Vision West Nottinghamshire College. The amount of apprentices that have joined, qualified and forged a successful career with AF Switchgear is phenomenal for a business of our size.

Mike Ratcliffe, on behalf of the Directors of AF Switchgear and your colleagues, we would like to thank you for your 25 years of hard work and commitment. 👏🏼

AF Academy students achieve their certificates.

AF Academy students achieve their certificates.

 AF Academy students achieve their certificates.

We are delighted to present certificates to our first AF Academy students upon completion of the 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.

In collaboration with Vision West Notts College the Training Academy offers a great opportunity to explore the opportunities available within the switchgear industry and to experience how AF Switchgear, the largest privately owned Switchgear manufacturer in the UK is embracing future challenges.

We already have our next two courses fully booked, which is a great testament to everybody involved from AF Switchgear and Vision West Nottinghamshire College.

Apprentice of the Year 2025

Apprentice of the Year 2025

 Apprentice of the Year 2025

🎉 Apprentice of the Year 2025 🎉

In line with National Apprenticeship Week we are proud to announce ‘Reuben Lowe’ as our AF Switchgear Apprentice of the Year 2025.

Reuben is in the final stages of his apprenticeship, and this award is thoroughly deserved. He has grown enormously during his time with us — professionally, personally, and as a valued team member — and has a very bright future ahead at AF Switchgear.

We’d also like to recognise all of our apprentices for their continued hard work and commitment.

A special mention to Vision West Nottinghamshire College who we work alongside on our Apprenticeship Scheme, and to Protrade Tools & Fixings for supporting our Apprentice of the Year — thank you for your continued support.

Kick Start Amsterdam

Kick Start Amsterdam

 Kick Start Amsterdam

Our team are back from the Kickstart Europe Conference in Amsterdam.​ This event is held annually in Amsterdam, it brings together industry leaders to discuss trends and investments in digital infrastructure.

As always it was a great event for us to connect and network across the industry. We look forward to following on our conversations in the coming weeks.