Shaped by A&B: John Hughes' 13-Year Growth Story

Sarra Boumellil • June 3, 2025

John Hughes: A Journey of Growth and Commitment at A&B

John Hughes joined A&B Engineering in 2012, stepping through the door as an apprentice electrician after his original employer, McGoff & Vickers, went into administration. He needed a new placement to continue his apprenticeship — and what started as a fresh opportunity turned into a long-term career.


Over the next four years, John worked on site, qualified as an electrician, and completed specialist training in testing and inspection. But it wasn’t long before his ambitions began to grow.

In January 2017, John was invited into the design office for a one-month trial. Though he returned to site afterward, the spark had been lit. A few months later, he was offered a permanent place on the design team — and at the same time, he had already begun studying for a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Teesside University, completed in the evenings via distance learning.

By 2020, with the HNC under his belt, John progressed onto a BEng in Building Services Engineering at Liverpool John Moores University. This time, he studied via day release, attending university one day a week while continuing to work and train at A&B.

His final year brought yet another opportunity: the option to enrol onto an integrated master's programme. Backed by the support of A&B’s leadership team, John committed to two more years of study — a decision that culminated in May 2025, when he completed his MEng. He’s currently awaiting final classification, but with a calculated weighted average of around 79%, he’s hopeful for a First-Class Honours.

Looking ahead, John is now preparing his application for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status through CIBSE and MCIBSE. There are even early conversations about future research and further academic study — a testament to his drive and the culture of continual learning at A&B.


“It’s only when I stop and look back that I realise how far I’ve come,” John reflects. “I’ve been here more than a decade, and at every step, A&B have backed me.”

From apprentice to master's graduate, John's story embodies what’s possible when talent, opportunity, and support come together — and it's exactly the kind of journey A&B is proud to champion.

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