thebigword has showcased its commitment to developing its people by joining The 5% Club, an industry led initiative focussed on driving momentum into the recruitment of apprentices, graduates, T-Level students and sponsored students.
The 5% Club is a movement of more than 1,000 employers providing ‘earn and learn’ opportunities to develop the skills and talents people need to become more employable and create meaningful careers. Companies joining The 5% Club commit to raising the number of apprentices, sponsored students and graduates on formal programmes to 5% of their total workforce within five years. Members are also asked to publicly report their progress in their Annual Report. Existing members range from SMEs to FTSEs and cover all sectors including engineering, transport, and financial services.
Chris Whiting, Chief People Officer at thebigword said, “We are delighted that thebigword has joined The 5% Club, reaffirming our commitment to creating meaningful career opportunities through apprenticeships, early careers programmes and structured development pathways, including T-Level placements. As a people-focused business, we recognise that investing in talent is essential to our long-term success – helping individuals build rewarding careers while ensuring we develop the skills and capabilities needed for the future.
Joining The 5% Club aligns closely with our values and our commitment to providing ‘earn and learn’ opportunities that support social mobility, inclusion and professional growth. We are proud to stand alongside other forward-thinking employers who are championing skills development and investing in the next generation of talent.”
The Club was founded in 2013, and uses its platform, and record of success to engage with policymakers and influencers on issues of concern and relevance, specifically increasing awareness and activity that links skills investment with discernible social impact.
Gill Cronin, Director of Operations of The 5% Club said, “We’re delighted to welcome X Company into membership. The 5% Club provides a fantastic network of HR and L&D professionals, sharing and learning from each other. All our members share an ethos of creating a skilled workforce through ‘earn and learn’ development programmes, helping people develop meaningful career paths.”
To find out more information about The 5% Club and how to become a member, please visit www.5percentclub.org.uk.
