Bradley Manufacturing produces springs, wire forms, and pressed components - specialising in sheet metal fabrication and finishing services, including CNC manufacturing, laser cutting, punching, bending and forming, automated powder coating, and sublimation printing.  

The third-generation family company also has product testing and electrical assembly capabilities and has recently branched out into making LED light fittings. 

The firm’s 146,000sq. ft state-of-the-art factory in Chadderton, Oldham is home to several engineering apprentices who are currently learning about the business. The trainees are in different teams and over 12-36 months complete an engineering apprenticeship at level 3 with Rochdale Training.  

Tony Holden, apprentice mentor, and Spring supervisor said “I started as an apprentice many years ago with Rochdale Training and I now look after the new trainees. After completing my apprenticeship, I then moved into a full-time skilled role as a flat spring maker. From here I worked my way up within the company. Our business needs young talent to ensure our survival in the future. Trainees gain hands-on experience while getting paid and full training. Once qualified you can earn up to and above £30,000. 

Apprentices are supported through an internal development programme learning new skills from day one. Opportunities to develop and progress are encouraged with full support from the team to move into supervisory and management roles.  

Trainees are treated as adults from the day they walk through the door, and given extra responsibility and pay increases, they gain skills in the workplace and promotions during the apprenticeship. I would thoroughly recommend an apprenticeship to any young person; we are currently recruiting and welcoming applications from those who want to learn and have a good future career in engineering”.   

Pictured: Tony Holden, Apprentice mentor, and Rochdale Training Apprentices Connor and Callum 

Lisa Agnew, Employer Skills Advisor of Rochdale Training said “Rochdale Training looks after Apprentices across Rochdale and Greater Manchester. There are currently employer incentives available to employers who want to recruit of up to £1,000.  Call 01706 631 or email lagnew@rochdaletraining.co.uk for more information.” 

Today here at Rochdale Training, we turned 'Blue Monday' into 'Brew Monday'!

The third Monday in January is sometimes referred to as ‘the most difficult day of the year’ but this is a myth. We all have our good days and our bad days, and those aren’t for the calendar to decide.

So we say it's time to stop this myth about Monday being 'blue' and instead start a conversation over a brew! ​Reach out and connect with family, friends, colleagues and loved ones.

We can always make time for a cuppa and a catch-up. It doesn’t matter if it’s a Monday morning or Saturday night, or if you’re drinking green tea, black coffee or orange juice. If you’re sharing a cuppa and listening, you’re doing it right.

We had our Breakout Area set up with a Tea, Coffee and Biscuits station so all staff members and learners had a space to come and talk to each other with a brew. The importance of today was to reach out and listen to one another as we make it through what is considered to be the toughest day of the year. If you are looking to donate and help someone out, here is the Samaritans website for more information: https://www.samaritans.org/support-us/campaign/brew-monday/