Developing young people – 5 per cent club

Developing young people – 5 per cent club

As part of our commitment to the next generation, we have joined the 5 per cent club.

The 5% Club is an industry-led initiative focused on driving the recruitment of apprentices, graduates and sponsored students.

The campaign aims to get the UK’s public and private companies to commit to raising the number of apprentices, sponsored students and graduates on formal programmes to 5% of their total workforce within five years.Five per cent club logo

This will help to tackle the chronic skills shortage and youth unemployment in Britain. It will also help the UK to remain at the forefront of innovation. Members report their progress in their annual report.

“Apprenticeship schemes offer valuable training opportunities and career direction for new entrants into the construction industry,” said Ciara Pryce, VGC Group Services director. “We are committed to offering opportunities, training and lifelong qualifications to all of our staff.”

“Our graduates receive structured training and experience, and we support them to become members of the ICE,” said Bob Webb, non-executive director and Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers. Bob oversees VGC’s graduate training scheme.

Terry Dutton-Wells
Terry Dutton-Wells started his career as an apprentice welder. He became VGC’s HSQE director in 2002 and is now semi-retired, acting as a non-executive director for VGC.

Dr Sam Healy, programme director of The 5% Club said, “We’re delighted to welcome the VGC Group to the initiative. The company’s existing efforts to invest in the next generation are greatly welcomed and together we can strive towards a brighter future for young people in Britain.”

Read more about VGC’s apprenticeships and our ICE-accredited graduate training scheme.

The 5% Club was launched in 2013.

It was initiated by defence technology company QinetiQ. The club works with UK employers and key influencers to inspire, educate and retain people into “earn and learn” placements. It aims to increase the number of apprentices, sponsored students and graduates.

The goal is to increase the employment and career prospects of today’s youth and equip the UK with the skilled workforce it needs to safeguard Britain’s economy.

Members sign The 5% Club charter. They commit to:

  • helping the UK’s growth agenda, and acknowledging the importance of developing people as both a business and social imperative
  • playing their part in addressing youth unemployment and skills shortage
  • pledging to work towards having a minimum 5% of their UK workforce enrolled on formalised apprentice, sponsored student and / or graduate development schemes within five years
  • measuring and reporting on their progress annually
  • encouraging other employers to participate in the campaign.