Industry leading companies pledge support to Northern Regional College Electrical Installation Apprentices

Northern Regional College has received a significant boost as two leading industry companies, Ansell Lighting and FuseBox, have pledged their support to the Electrical Installation Apprenticeship course. This partnership, spearheaded by Electrical Installation Lecturer Iain McCart, aims to provide students with invaluable industry insight and hands-on experience with state-of-the-art electrical components.

Ansell Lighting, a market leader in the design and manufacture of high-quality luminaires, has supplied a series of product boards featuring downlights, retail and commercial fittings, emergency lighting packs, and its own smart OCTO lighting technology. These boards, displayed within the College, allow students to interact with working products and gain a deeper understanding of lighting solutions. Each board includes detailed information about the luminaires and their benefits. One of the projects students will undertake during their course this year involves designing lighting for a hotel, with Ansell products playing a key role in the process.

Mark Rogers at Ansell Lighting commented, “As a manufacturer, we recognise the importance of investing in and supporting the next generation of electricians and installers, especially at a time when there has been talk of skills shortages within the industry. Ansell Lighting was established in Northern Ireland, and so we are particularly pleased to be able to support students and apprentices in the region. We hope to see these students flourish and work with us in their future careers.”

FuseBox, the UK’s fastest-growing circuit protection brand, has provided 12 single phase consumer units, two 3 phase consumer units, generator change over switches, RCBOs, surge protection devices and Arc fault detection devices for students and will also deliver CPD training to enhance their knowledge and skills.

Both companies visited Northern Regional College’s Newtownabbey campus on 27th February 2025 to meet with lecturers and students, sharing their expertise and offering real- world perspectives on the industry.

Speaking on the partnership, Iain McCart, Electrical Installation Lecturer at Northern Regional College, said, “Ensuring our students are industry-ready is at the heart of everything we do. By working with leading companies like Ansell Lighting and FuseBox, we can provide our apprentices with a more practical, relevant learning experience that gives them a real insight into the world of electrical installation. These partnerships not only benefit our students during their studies but also open doors for future employment opportunities in the sector.”

Robert Morrow of FuseBox also praised the initiative, “FuseBox is proud to support Northern Regional College in equipping its students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the electrical industry. By providing quality components and CPD training, we hope to enhance their learning experience and prepare them for the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

The College extends its sincere thanks to Ansell Lighting and FuseBox for their generous support, which is helping to shape the future of the electrical installation industry and inspire the next generation of electricians.

For those interested in applying for the Electrical Installation Apprenticeship at Northern Regional College, visit www.nrc.ac.uk for more information.