MCLAUGHLIN & Harvey has been awarded platinum accredited membership via The 5% Club’s 2023-24 Employer Audit Scheme.
The award recognises significant contributions made to the development of employees through ‘earn and learn’ schemes such as apprenticeships, graduate schemes, and sponsored students course placements.
The 5% Club was founded in 2013 by Leo Quinn, CEO of Balfour Beatty, to address poverty arising from high unemployment, particularly among the young, as well as a shortage of the right skills for the workplace of today and tomorrow.
McLaughlin & Harvey is one of only 30 employers who have met the Platinum standard, putting them in the top 3% of members.
Alison Reilly, McLaughlin & Harvey HR Director, commented, “We have supported the 5% Club for a number of years as we believe investing in talent development creates a sustainable pipeline of skilled and motivated employees. Earn and learn employees currently make up 11.5% of McLaughlin and Harvey’s workforce. The initiative promotes diversity and inclusion in the workplace, addresses the skills gap and demonstrates our commitment to social responsibility and investing in long-term success and sustainability.”
Mark Cameron OBE, chief executive at The 5% Club, commented, “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. Even more impressive is the 3% percent who have achieved Platinum level membership – they represent the very best of our movement and of employers offering ‘earn and learn’ opportunities. ”
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% 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.”
