WSP re-awarded Gold membership of The 5% Club

Leading multi-disciplinary professional services consultancy WSP has been re-awarded Gold accredited membership for its UK business via The 5% Club’s 2023-24 Employer Audit Scheme.

The award recognises WSP’s significant contribution to the continued development of its employees through “earn & learn” schemes, including its apprenticeship and graduate schemes and sponsored students course placements.

Launched in 2013, The 5% Club is a dynamic movement of employers which works with over 900 organisations in the UK to address youth unemployment and skills shortages by increasing accessible workplace learning opportunities for young people.

As members of The 5% Club, employers commit to have 5% of their workforce in “earn and learn” positions within five years of joining. WSP was initially awarded Gold membership in 2022 and currently has nearly 11% of its UK workforce in these positions.

This year alone, over 350 graduates, apprentices and placement students joined WSP in its 2023 intake.

The 5% Club’s Employer Audit is a unique scheme which validates the employers’ activities, explores their future plans and commitments, as well as examining their approaches to quality, social mobility, diversity and inclusion.

WSP has supported The 5% Club since 2019 when it became a patron of the organisation, helping formulate their work with Government to improve professional training across the UK.

Carol White, UK Director of Recruitment at WSP, said: “From their first day, our graduates, apprentices and placement students are involved in exciting and ambitious projects that benefit communities across the UK and beyond. ‘Earn and learn’ schemes allow early career professionals to receive the training and experience they need to prosper throughout their future careers and we’re proud to play a part in making their ambitions a reality.”

Mark Cameron OBE, Chief Executive at The 5% Club said: “Our Employer Audit scheme recognises the efforts of all those Employers who invest in their workforce through a broad range of workplace learning schemes. It is fantastic that in these challenging times so many are able to commit to the Employer Audit and to gain the credit for their efforts, and that the majority are striving to expand their schemes over the coming years. Their efforts and achievements are to be applauded.”

Gill Cronin, Director of Operations at The 5% Club added: “Having seen The Club grow to more than 900 members, I am always impressed at the commitment, drive and energy our members channel into offering “earn and learn” skills opportunities. To now see 20 percent of these members gain Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum accredited membership of The Club is inspiring and demonstrates how these companies are all contributing to the future of skills in our economy.”

ENDS