Cambridgeshire has become the first County Council to be awarded ‘Gold’ membership of The 5% Club’s 2024-25 Employer Audit Scheme.
This award recognises the Council’s significant contribution to the continued development of all its employees through “earn and learn” schemes such as Apprenticeships and Graduate Development Programmes.
With a workforce of around 4,600 people and many roles in areas where there are national skills shortages, such as social care and engineering, the council continues to explore all opportunities to attract and develop a committed and skilled workforce to deliver its vision to build a greener, fairer and more caring Cambridgeshire.
The 5% Club works with UK employers to drive positive action towards accessible workplace learning, by looking at numbers of apprentices, sponsored students and graduates employed. The goal is to increase employment and career prospects for young people and equip them with the skills they need to become an integral part of the workforce, and of society.
The Council’s efforts, future ambitions, and commitment to social mobility, diversity, and inclusion are rigorously assessed as part of the Employer Audit.
Members are invited to sign a charter, which confirms a commitment to having a minimum of 5% of their UK workforce enrolled on formalised apprenticeships, sponsored student and/or graduate development schemes within five years.
There are more than 1,100 member organisations in the 5% Club, with the total number of employees represented being more than 1.9m, with circa 108,000 in “earn & learn” schemes.
Cllr Edna Murphy, chair of the council’s Staffing and Appeals committee said: “This is a phenomenal achievement, and I’m extremely proud of the work that’s been done by our teams to achieve this prestigious award.
“Achieving Gold status is a testament to our dedication in nurturing the growth and development of our workforce, and investment in our people. By offering hands-on learning, we are creating pathways for professional growth and equipping our people with the skills and confidence they need to thrive.
“This achievement puts us at the forefront of workplace learning innovation, and I’m very excited about further expanding on these opportunities.”
Joanna Cook, Learning and Development Advisor: "When I heard about The Coaching Professional (L5) apprenticeship I was definitely interested; when does such an opportunity present itself, to learn while you earn in an area where I could be part of someone else’s development journey and support them to shine? I grabbed the opportunity with both hands and along with the encouragement of others, have just passed my coaching apprenticeship with distinction! "
Mark Cameron OBE, Chief Executive at The 5% Club, commented: “We are incredibly proud of the outstanding employers, like Cambridgeshire County Council, who have gone above and beyond to invest in the future of their workforce through a diverse range of 'earn and learn' initiatives. Their dedication, especially during these challenging times, deserves to be celebrated. By achieving Gold membership, Cambridgeshire County Council has shown an exceptional commitment to shaping the skills of tomorrow, contributing not only to their business but to the wider economy.”
For more information about The 5% Club visit https://www.5percentclub.org.uk/
