Billington Holdings is proud to become a member of the 5% Club, an industry-led initiative aimed at building and developing the modern workforce needed for a cohesive and prosperous nation.
The 5% Club is a movement of more than 1,000 employers offering learning and earning opportunities to develop the skills and talents people need to improve their employability and develop their careers. It focuses on the recruitment of apprentices, graduates, T-level students and sponsored students.
Companies that join the 5% Club aim to increase the number of apprentices, sponsored students and graduates on formal programmes to 5% of their total workforce within five years of joining. Members are also asked to publicly report on their progress in their annual report. Existing members range from SMEs to FTSEs and span a range of industries including engineering, transportation and financial services.
Founded in 2013, the 5% Club uses its platform and track record to engage with policymakers and influencers on important and relevant issues, particularly awareness raising and activities that link investment in skills with recognisable social impact.
‘Earn and Learn’ describes a series of pathways into employment that combine study with practical experience. This enables individuals to gain the knowledge and skills they need to work in their chosen industry. Earn and Learn is vital as it offers an alternative to university, reduces financial costs and provides a route into employment for those from difficult social and economic backgrounds.
It also brings the employer a considerable return on investment, motivates employees and increases employee loyalty. When an investment is made in an employee, employees tend to be more loyal and committed, which motivates them to stay with a company for longer.
On a national level, it benefits society as a whole by reducing the number of people who are not in education, employment or training. The 5% Club also works to meet the evolving needs of a modern workplace by closing skills gaps, which can help your business, as well as the country, remain competitive.
Gill Cronin, Director of Operations of The 5% Club, said: “We are delighted to welcome Billington Holdings as a member. The 5% Club provides a fantastic network of HR and L&D professionals to share and learn from each other. All our members share the ethos of creating a skilled workforce through ‘earn and learn development programmes that help people develop meaningful career paths.”
Claire Upperdine, Associate Director ‑ HR at Billington Holdings, said: “At Billington Holdings we are continuously investing in new technology, but we are also committed to having a positive impact on communities and the environment. Becoming a member of The 5% Club is an extension of our ethos, as it not only rewards the individual and the employer, but it’s also an investment in people and their future.”
Working with Betterweld, an industry-specific training organisation, we have seen a huge apprenticeship drive into the business over the last 18 months. By working closely with training providers, we have utilised their programmes, successfully, with individuals offered permanent employment. From here they continue to grow, with many going on to undertake further training in the form of a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Fabrication and Welding. Read more about our partnership here.
