Employer Audit

Employer Audit

The 5% Club Employer Audit 2026

Please Note: Registration for the 2026 Employer Audit has now closed.

 

 

Unlock the future of your workforce with accredited membership of The 5% Club for 2026-2027.

The 5% Club sets employers the challenge that at least 5% of their UK workforce should be in ‘earn and learn’ workplace roles, such as apprenticeships or graduate development schemes.

Our annual Employer Audit research programme recognises our members’ success, as they work to reach and surpass this target, and rewards employers with Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum membership of The 5% Club.

More than 250 employers from a wide range of industries and employment sectors – including construction, finance, defence, professional services, technology, retail and the public sector – are already reaping the benefits of being an accredited member of The 5% Club.  See the full list of 2025-2026 accredited members here.

Participating in the Employer Audit in 2026 will provide Club members with a trusted accreditation, measure & benchmark their ‘earn and learn’ employment, and includes exclusive invitations for The 5% Club Skills Summit – our flagship one-day employer conference.

For full details of how to enter for this year’s Employer Audit, please watch our 5-minute guide-to-entering film.

The deadline for taking part in this year’s Employer Audit is Friday 31st July.

 

Accredited Membership in 2026-2027

By taking part in the Employer Audit in 2026, your organisation will achieve accredited membership of The 5% Club for 2026-2027, according to the percentage of your UK workforce who are on ‘earn and learn’ programmes:

  • Bronze: Up to 2.5% of workforce in ‘earn and learn’ roles
  • Silver: 2.5% to 5.0% of workforce in ‘earn and learn’ roles
  • Gold: Over 5.0% of workforce in ‘earn and learn’ roles
  • Platinum: Over 10.0% of workforce in ‘earn and learn’ roles, following two consecutive years of Gold or Platinum membership

Employers’ accredited membership will be announced at The 5% Club Skills Summit in autumn 2026 – and employers will receive an official certificate, a celebratory promotional toolkit, and use of their accredited member logo for 12 months.

These accreditations set our members apart, showcasing those who are truly committed to ‘investing in a generation’.

 

Measuring & Benchmarking ‘Earn and Learn’ Employment

The second part of the Employer Audit provides each participating employer with a comprehensive individual 48-page report, measuring and benchmarking their ‘earn and learn’ employment with other organisations taking part in the Audit.

The detailed personalised report includes:

  • in-depth analysis of your recruitment, employment and development of ‘earn and learn’ employees
  • key benchmarking data on equality, diversity and inclusion in your workforce
  • comparison of completion rates for apprenticeships and graduate training schemes
  • planned future growth for ‘earn and learn’ programmes

Each part of the benchmarking report offers information and insights, highlights areas for improvement, and identifies best-practice in skills training and workforce planning.


Read an Employer Audit sample report

 

Attending The 5% Club Skills Summit

The final element of the Employer Audit is your exclusive invitations to attend The 5% Club Skills Summit on Wednesday 18 November.

This industry-leading one-day conference will include:

  • launch of the Employer Audit 2026 research results
  • announcement of The 5% Club’s new accredited members for 2026-2027
  • employer showcases and best-practice in ‘earn and learn’ employment
  • guest keynote speakers, expert panels and discussion
  • networking lunch and official photographs of accredited members
  • presentation of The 5% Club National ‘Earn and Learn’ Awards 2026

 

Taking Part in the Employer Audit 2026

View questionnaire

To participate in the Employer Audit and become an accredited member of The 5% Club for 2026-2027:

  1. Register by completing the Registration Form.
  2. Submit your data and information by completing the 10-question online Employer Audit questionnaire by 31 July 2026. A copy of the questionnaire is available here. 
  3. Take part in a short verification process by email or telephone.
  4. Book your exclusive places for The 5% Club Skills Summit one-day event in November.
  5. Receive your individual benchmarking report, accredited membership certificate, promotional toolkit and official accredited member logo.

 

Cost for the Employer Audit 2026

The cost of taking part in The 5% Club Employer Audit in 2026 – including accredited membership for 2026-2027, in-depth benchmarking research, and places at the Skills Summit – are as follows:

  • Large Employer (250+ employees) – £1,995+VAT
  • SME Employer (10-249 employees) – £995+VAT

 

Register for the Employer Audit 2026

Register here for the Employer Audit 2026.