The 5% Club

🎄 Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!🎉 As we approach the end of another remarkable year, we wanted to take a moment to extend warm wishes to all our members, patrons, followers, stakeholders and supporters - and everyone looking to transform lives through workplace "earn and learn" schemes. Wishing you, your families and loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year filled with growth, opportunity, and success! 🌟Here's to making the extraordinary the everyday standard in 2025! 🌟 Very best wishes to you all, Gill, Helen & Mark #SeasonsGreetings #EarnandLearn #InspiredAction #SkillsforLife

🎄 Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!🎉 As we approach the end of another remarkable year, we wanted to take a moment to extend warm wishes to all our members, patrons, followers, stakeholders and supporters - and everyone looking to transform lives through workplace "earn and learn" schemes. Wishing you, your families and loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year filled with growth, opportunity, and success! 🌟Here's to making the extraordinary the everyday standard in 2025! 🌟 Very best wishes to you all, Gill, Helen & Mark #SeasonsGreetings #EarnandLearn #InspiredAction #SkillsforLife

📊 Apprenticeship English/Maths Requirements Blocking Talent Development 🚧 As covered in this FE Week article (https://lnkd.in/ePdB2bTr), recent research by the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) reiterates a critical challenge in the UK apprenticeship landscape: 🔍 Key Findings: 🔹 3 in 4 apprenticeship adverts (72%) require a minimum GCSE grade 4/C in English and maths 🔹 Over 25% of young people leave school without meeting these grade requirements 🔹 Functional skills pass rates have dropped from 84% to 75% post-pandemic 💬 Ben Rowland, AELP CEO, neatly capture the problem and effect: "Well-intentioned rules are now having the opposite impact – those most in need of support are being blocked from the apprenticeship route." 🤔 The Bigger Picture: With nearly one million young people not in education, employment, or training, these rigid requirements are creating unnecessary barriers to workforce entry and skills development. 💡 AELP's Recommendation: Move away from a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, assess English and maths requirements contextually, supporting learner progress without making it a make-or-break exit requirement. The Department for Education is listening and reviewing these requirements. Change could be on the horizon! 🌅 Report Author & Project Lead - Cheryl Swales #SkillsDevelopment #Apprenticeships #WorkforceTraining #EarnandLearn #EducationReform

🚀 Transforming Workforce Development: Skills & Employment Alliance Launches! 🌟 Coverage in FE News (https://lnkd.in/eJxYFtvu) of our launch and the official introduction of the Exemplar Employer Scheme, celebrating organisations committed to exceptional talent development and social responsibility. 👏 First Exemplar Employers Announced: Balfour Beatty plc Mott MacDonald Siemens Willmott Dixon 🌈 Key Benefits for Participating Employers: 🔹 Enhanced industry reputation 🔹 Access to diverse, skilled talent 🔹 Networking opportunities 🔹 Cost-effective recognition program 💬 Insights from Industry Leaders: "We are excited to announce our first four Exemplar Employers today. Young people struggle to get their first job and to know which companies to focus on, and this Alliance will help them to understand who are employing young people and growing in their sectors, and will be a great first step on their working career." Julie Feest, CEO, EDT (The Engineering Development Trust) & Industrial Cadets "We are proud to be part of the Skills & Employment Alliance to celebrate employers who invest in future talent. Our work with over 900 leading employers who are inspiring and preparing young people to be career ready is a testament to their commitment. We hope the Alliance inspires even more employers to open their doors to young people. With their crucial support, we can equip all young people with the skills and confidence to take their best next step." Oli de Botton, CEO of The Careers & Enterprise Company "By becoming an Exemplar Employer, organisations showcase their dedication to workforce excellence while setting a benchmark for others to follow. This initiative is a unique opportunity to lead industry change and build a skilled, future-ready workforce." Mark Cameron OBE, Chief Executive of The 5% Club 🤝 The Alliance unites the Careers & Enterprise Company, Engineering Development Trust & Industrial Cadets, and The 5% Club to drive meaningful change in workforce development. Calling all progressive employers: Are you ready to lead the way in talent development? Find out more here - https://lnkd.in/efmD-Fsh #SkillsDevelopment #Workforce #TalentAcquisition #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment

🏆 Celebrating Excellence in Earning & Learning! FE News coverage of The 5% Club's UK National Employer "Earn & Learn" Awards (https://lnkd.in/gXpQZyfi) highlight outstanding talent development across sectors. 🌟 Award Winners & Sponsor Patrons: Inclusion and Social Mobility (Sponsored by The School Outreach Company) Large Employer: Capgemini SME: McTaggart Construction Growth (Sponsored by The St Martin's Group) Large Employer: Rolls-Royce SMR SME: MCFT Quality (Sponsored by On The Tools) Large Employer: SSEN Transmission SME: AD Construction Group Breadth (Sponsored by The Open University) Large Employer: Currie & Brown SME: Mivan Ltd Highest Percentage (Sponsored by Unifrog) Large Employer: Grant Thornton UK LLP SME: Clive Owen LLP Employer of the Year (Sponsored by City & Guilds) Large Employer: Mace SME: Mackley 💡 Mark Cameron OBE, our CEO, notes: "These winners are leading the way in creating impactful opportunities that transform lives and industries." More images available on Flickr - https://lnkd.in/eJXGDVy3 #EmergingTalent #Apprenticeships #WorkforceDevelopment #TalentStrategy Congratulations to all the winners! 🎉👏

📈 Business Transformation: The Next 5 Years Will Redefine Organizational Leadership 🚀 In a groundbreaking analysis at the end of 2024, JOE NELLIS (Cranfield School of Management - https://lnkd.in/eNut-yWS) argues that the next five years will bring more business changes than the past half-century combined. Key implications for talent development and "earn and learn" schemes are profound: 🌐 Workforce Evolution: With Generation Alpha entering the job market, traditional employment models are set to be disrupted. As Joe notes, these digital natives will seek "project-based work" and "instant gratification", making flexible learning pathways critical. 💡 Skill Fluidity is the New Competitive Advantage: Organizations must invest in "training and development" that supports "change and additions of skills." This directly supports the concept of "earn and learn" schemes, where employees simultaneously work and acquire new competencies. 🤖 AI and Employment Transformation: While AI promises efficiency, it also presents challenges. Businesses must carefully manage "employee relations" and potential "job losses," making adaptive learning programs more crucial than ever. 🌍 Global Perspective: The shifting global economic landscape demands leaders who can "convert complexity" into inspiring opportunities for talent development. As we approach the second half of the 2020's, the message is clear: Future-proof your talent strategy by embracing flexible, continuous learning models that align with the rapidly changing business ecosystem. #FutureOfWork #TalentDevelopment #EarnAndLearn #BusinessInnovation

📚🚀 UCAS delivers additional Apprenticeship Recognition 🎓💼 UCAS is set to allocate Tariff points to apprenticeships (https://lnkd.in/ehFY8GtC), creating more equitable pathways into higher education. Starting in May 2025, Level 3 apprenticeships will be recognized with UCAS points, opening Higher Educational pathways across the UK. Key Highlights: 🔹 Points determined by study time and competency 🔹 Consistent point allocation across UK nations 🔹 74% sector support, with colleges leading at 89% approval Voices of Support: 🌟 Dr Jo Saxton (UCAS CEO): "Bringing parity to vocational and technical qualifications was one of my key priorities... helping level the playing field and ensure more students can benefit from transformational higher education." 🏆 Jennifer Coupland (IfATE (Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education)): "Apprentices who work hard to meet rigorous industry standards should easily progress to university. Apprenticeships are now recognised by employers, professional bodies, and universities." 🩺 Dr. Navina Evans (NHS England): "A Level 3 apprenticeship in health is a fantastic route to a rewarding career... this will help inspire more young people to work in health and social care." 📈 Lindsay Conroy (UCAS Head of Apprenticeships): "Students want to know if apprenticeships can access higher education. This move will show a more visible pathway and support progression for all." Additional Endorsements: 🗣️ Ben Rowland(AELP): "Recognising apprentices' achievements establishes true parity between academic and technical education pathways." 🗣️ Simon Pirotte OBE (Medr): "The learning apprentices receive is valuable and transferable." #Education #Apprenticeships #CareerDevelopment #HigherEducation #UKEducation UCAS Early Careers

🚀 UK Employment Targets: Navigating the Path to 80% Workforce Participation This insightful research from the Eduin Boater Latimer, Institute For Fiscal Studies (https://lnkd.in/em7WATfG) explores the UK Government's ambitious goal to boost employment rates to 80%, which would mean bringing 2.2 million more people into the workforce. Here are the key insights: 📊 Current Landscape: 🔹 Current employment rate stands at 75% 🔹 Potential fiscal benefits: Moving 400,000 people with health-related inactivity into work could save around £10 billion 🔍 Key Challenges: 🔹 Significant geographic disparities in employment rates 🔹 Lower employment among younger (16-24) and older (55-64) workers 🔹 Rising health-related inactivity, especially post-pandemic 💡 Promising Strategies: As the Institute for Fiscal Studies notes, the most promising routes include: 🔹 Improving employment rates for early and late-career workers 🔹 Reducing health-related workforce inactivity 🔹 Addressing regional employment inequalities 🌍 International Comparison: 🔹 UK lags behind "frontier countries" in youth and pre-retirement age employment 🔹 Netherlands offers an interesting model, with 69% of upper secondary students in vocational education, combining workplace and educational learning 🤝 Government's Approach: The 'Get Britain Working' white paper outlines initiatives like health interventions and a youth guarantee, though funding remains modest at £240m. #WorkforceDevelopment #EmploymentStrategy #EconomicGrowth #UKLabourMarket

🎓 The 5% Club Celebrates Balfour Beatty plc "Founders Pledge" Scheme Graduation 🏆 This week, we were delighted to support an incredible milestone at the The Institution of Civil Engineers in London. Twelve outstanding Apprentices completed their transformative year-long mentorship journey, sharing insights with distinguished guests including Baroness Jacqui Smith and Balfour Beatty Group Chief Executive, Leo Quinn (Founder of The 5% Club). More detail here - https://lnkd.in/gUsc9f-B. 💡 Key Inspirations from the Event: 🤝 Employer Engagement: Participating employers have committed to elevating workplace learning, with each sharing their plans to enhance mentoring for Apprentices and beyond. 📚 The 5% Club Academy: In partnership with The Open University, we will (in 2025) be launching a groundbreaking portal providing comprehensive courses in mentoring and learner support/pastoral care. 🚀 Skills Ecosystem Impact: Our Skills Minister recognized the power of initiatives like The 5% Club, where accredited members boast an impressive 80% "earn and learn" scheme completion rate - significantly higher than the national average of 50%. 🌱 Apprentice Commitment: These remarkable young professionals are dedicated to "paying forward" the investment made in their development, creating a cycle of continuous learning and support. Our CEO, Mark Cameron OBE, emphasized that this graduation represents more than an individual achievement - it's a collective step towards transforming workplace learning and skills development. Danny Sullivan Group, Sunbelt Rentals UK & Ireland, Fortel Group, Hercules Site Services PLC, Flannery Plant Hire, Tarmac, Speedy Hire, L Lynch Plant Hire & Haulage, Aggregate Industries UK #Apprenticeships #SkillsDevelopment #WorkplaceLearning #Mentorship #CareerGrowth

This week, we celebrated the culmination of The 5% Club Founder’s Pledge Mentorship Programme.    Over the past year, 12 talented apprentices - three from Balfour Beatty and nine from our supply chain partners - participated in a mentorship programme with their CEO mentors, focusing on personal and professional development.    The graduation event at the Institution for Civil Engineers was attended by Leo Quinn, our Group Chief Executive; The Skills Minister the Rt Hon Baroness Jacqui Smith; Mark Cameron OBE, CEO of The 5% Club; and industry leaders, showcasing the power of mentoring in shaping tomorrow’s leaders.    Event highlights included a heartfelt reflection on the programme's impact, a graduation ceremony honouring our apprentices, and a celebratory lunch for our graduates, their mentors and loved ones.    Congratulations to our Founder’s Pledge graduates and a special thanks to the CEOs who shared their time, experience and guidance to empower the next generation.    Together, we’re building a brighter, more skilled future.     #Mentorship #Graduation #EmpoweringFutureLeaders #SkillsForTheFuture #Apprenticeships Danny Sullivan Group Sunbelt Rentals UK & Ireland Fortel Group Hercules Site Services PLC P. FLANNERY PLANT HIRE (OVAL) LIMITED Tarmac Speedy Hire L Lynch Plant Hire & Haulage Aggregate Industries UK Jasdeep Singh