Questions and Answers
These are the most frequently asked questions about The 5% Club. If you have any other questions or need more information then please contact us and let us know.
What is The 5% Club?
The 5% Club is a dynamic movement of employer-members working to create a shared prosperity across the UK by driving ‘earn and learn’ skills training opportunities.
Members strive to achieve 5% of their workforce in ‘earn and learn’ positions (including apprentices, sponsored students and graduates on formalised training schemes) within five years of joining.
Who are its members and who can join?
Our members consist of large and small employers from a wide range of sectors who want to make a difference, fill the skills gap and support the UK’s ability to compete in increasingly tough global markets. Members range from the Ministry of Defence, Network Rail and Rolls-Royce to SMEs from across the UK.
Membership is open to any organisation interested in embedding ‘earn and learn’ into their organisation and willing to sign our Charter can join The 5% Club.
Why was The 5% Club launched?
Leo Quinn created The 5% Club in 2013 in response to high youth unemployment and a lack of skills in the workplace. He believes that employers – the job creators – are best placed to know the skills that will drive our future shared prosperity in the UK. He saw The 5% Club as a commitment by employers – the job creators – giving them an opportunity to play a specific part on the demand side.
What is the commitment required by employers?
Members are required to sign the charter and to set a target to reach 5% of their UK workforce over the next five years to be apprentices, graduates on formal programmes, or sponsored students. In addition members need to report publicly on progress in their Annual Report or equivalent.
How will progress be tracked?
By member employers reporting on their commitment in the Corporate Responsibility section of their Annual Report and Accounts or equivalent.
What does success look like for The 5% Club?
Gaining widespread commitment – through our membership – in both the private and public sector to providing the right skills training to ensure a shared prosperity across the UK.
What are the requirements for companies joining up?
There are no entry qualifications just a commitment to give this area focus and drive and to commit to reporting publicly on an annual basis.