Major new homes builder Weston Homes has signed up to The 5% Club – the nationwide campaign which aims to raise the levels of apprentices and graduates in UK businesses.
Weston Homes, which employs 244 staff, believe strongly in both developing their existing workforce and attracting and training future talent. The companies Management trainee scheme has been running since 2002 and the developer launch its Careerstart Scheme in 2005.
This is reinforced by their Investor In People accreditation. When re-accredited by IIP in May 2014 statistics demonstrated that in fact 20% of their workforce at that time were either on sponsored day release courses, undertaking NVQ’s or attending ILM Management Training.
The company has signed a charter pledging its commitment to the 5% level and to demonstrate its on-going support to the scheme, joining several other major UK companies and FTSE listed entities including QinetiQ, KPMG, Balfour Beatty, Atkins and Babcock.
Bob Weston, CEO of Weston Homes commented: “We have been supporting the need for training, development and apprenticeships for many years now and we are delighted to join the 5% club to encourage other companies to join in and be part of such an important cause.
“There is a real need for apprentices in the housing industry and we are committed to help young people to develop their skills in an environment where they can really learn. We are proud to invest in these young people who are the future for our industry and this is demonstrated in our track record.”
Starting with six founding members at the launch of the campaign, the number of companies now committed to The 5% Club stands at 38 with total number of member employees at more than 120,000.
The 5% Club is calling on all public and private companies, whatever size or sector, to “Invest in a Generation” by joining the campaign. As a member they will sign a charter aspiring to work towards 5% of their UK workforce being young people on structured training schemes over the next five years and publicly declare via their total in their annual reports Leo Quinn, CEO of QinetiQ Group, one of the founding companies of The 5% Club, said: “Weston Homes are a superb addition to the campaign.
“The 5% Club is growing and is ever more relevant, particularly at this time of year when so many young people are making life choices after receiving exam results.
“We urge more companies to sign up and stand by other members of The 5% Club in pledging their commitment to invest in the next generation.”
