Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • RBSL apprentices win at national manufacturing awards

Defence Events

RBSL apprentices win at national manufacturing awards

RBSL recently celebrated success at the Make UK National Manufacturing Awards, with two apprentices winning national titles.

The National Manufacturing Awards are organised annually by the manufacturers’ organisation, Make UK, with the aim of highlighting the resilience, determination and ingenuity of the UK’s manufacturing community.

Two RBSL colleagues, Jack Sears and Mohammed Shuayb, competed in the apprentice award categories with other regional winners from across the UK. Jack proceeded to win the Business Apprentice Final Year category, with Mohammed winning the Engineering Apprentice Final Year category.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Jack (above) joined the business in 2017 and recently graduated from a Level 4 Project Management apprenticeship. As an apprentice and now full-time member of RBSL’s ‘industrialisation team’, Jack works to transform RBSL’s Telford site into a world-class manufacturing facility ahead of delivering major programmes for the UK MOD.

He is actively involved in managing strategic elements of the plan, including supporting the HR recruitment team as they recruit over 100 new employees. As a result, he was also named RBSL Business Apprentice of Year 2020.

Mohammed (above) is also a key member of RBSL’s industrialisation team, taking the lead on a number of projects including manufacturing and coordinating time-lapse cameras to capture the significant transformations of the facility. He has also supported the induction of new apprentices over a number of years and has offered personal mentorship following his own experiences.

As a result, Mohammed was named ‘Apprentice of the Year’ by RBSL’s training provider in 2019 and voted ‘Players’ Player’ by RBSL’s own apprentice community, demonstrating how highly respected he is by peers.

RBSL currently employs almost 40 apprentices across its UK sites and is proud to actively invest in early careers and protect engineering and manufacturing skills. Rheinmetall CEO, Armin Papperger (above), recently took the time to recognise and personally thank Jack and Mohammed for their achievements and excellent performance.

Mr Papperger said: “I am very pleased about the award for our two colleagues. It fills me with pride that we have so many outstanding talents in our Rheinmetall family. In view of the diverse and complex projects to which we devote ourselves at Rheinmetall, we rely on motivated and talented colleagues. They form the basis for our success.“

Advertisement
ODU RT

Charlotte Horobin, Region Director for Make UK in the Midlands, said: “These awards are a testament to the dynamic companies and individuals working within engineering and manufacturing. The sector remains at the heart of creating wealth in the Midlands and as we re-build our economy there will be a bright future for companies and individuals that make the most of their talent.”

 

 

 

 

 

Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner
Babcock Announces Capability Centre Location in Heart of Plymouth

Defence

Babcock Announces Capability Centre Location in Heart of Plymouth

2 April 2026

Babcock International Group (Babcock), the defence company, has today confirmed the location for its new Capability Centre in Plymouth - a major milestone in plans to relocate up to 2,000 highly skilled employees into the heart of the city.

Saab secures UK order for Giraffe 1X radar

Defence

Saab secures UK order for Giraffe 1X radar

2 April 2026

Saab UK has received an order from the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the compact radar system Giraffe 1X.

MGI conducts first TigerShark flights with Auterion

Aerospace Defence Security

MGI conducts first TigerShark flights with Auterion

2 April 2026

MGI Engineering Ltd (MGI) has announced the successful first flights of its TigerShark uncrewed deep strike platform, in partnership with Auterion.

Rolls-Royce secures German Puma propulsion contract

Defence

Rolls-Royce secures German Puma propulsion contract

2 April 2026

Rolls-Royce Power Systems has secured one of the largest defence contracts in its history, for around 200 new mtu PowerPacks featuring the 10V 890 engine for the Bundeswehr’s Puma infantry fighting vehicle.

Advertisement
ODU RT
UK and France to develop next-gen air-to-air missile

Defence

UK and France to develop next-gen air-to-air missile

1 April 2026

The United Kingdom and France have today signed a Memorandum of Understanding to conduct a joint study into the development of a successor to the Meteor missile, one of the world's most advanced beyond-visual-range air-to-air weapons.

Solar array to be installed at Bassingbourn Barracks

Defence Events

Solar array to be installed at Bassingbourn Barracks

1 April 2026

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), working with Custom Solar on behalf of the British Army, held a ground-breaking ceremony for a new solar array at Bassingbourn Barracks.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
Gulfstream banner