Applebridge Family has underlined its commitment to developing young talent after being welcomed into the esteemed The 5% Club.

As a dynamic, employer-led initiative, The 5% Club is focused on creating a thriving UK economy through a wide range of ‘earn and learn’ opportunities. Members pledge to have 5% of their workforce engaged in apprenticeships, sponsored student programmes, or formalised training schemes within five years of joining.

Applebridge, a leading Middlesbrough and Yorkshire-based construction group, is dedicated to fostering the next generation of skilled professionals through the Applebridge Academy and ‘earn and learn’ schemes. By becoming a member, Applebridge demonstrates a robust commitment to having 5% of its UK workforce as apprentices, graduates on formal programmes, or sponsored students within the next five years. This aligns with the company’s strategic vision of nurturing and investing in the upcoming generation of construction professionals.

Applebridge Family CEO, Donny Hughes, expressed enthusiasm about the new partnership: “Joining the 5% Club marks a significant milestone in our journey towards empowering young talent. It’s not just about fulfilling a quota; it’s about nurturing a skilled, diverse, and dynamic workforce capable of propelling our industry forward. We are excited to embark on this path and look forward to making a substantial impact in the lives of our future professionals.”

In 2022, Applebridge was ranked as the 4th best SME Apprentice Employer in the UK, reflecting its long-standing dedication to apprenticeship and training programmes. The membership in the 5% Club is a natural extension of this ethos, reinforcing the company’s role as a beacon of innovation and growth in the construction industry.

Applebridge was also awarded Training Company of the Year at the CECA North East Awards 2022. Employees Bailey Middlemas and Ryan Fort lifting the Trainee Civil Engineer of the Year award in recent years, while Madeline Collins was announced as Apprentice of the Year at CECA’s 2023 awards recently.

Gill Cronin, Director of Operations of The 5% Club said: “We’re delighted to welcome the Applebridge Family’ 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.”

Applebridge’s commitment to the 5% Club will also involve transparent reporting of progress in their Annual Report or equivalent documents, ensuring accountability and visibility of their efforts in skills development.

This strategic move by Applebridge aligns with its goal of driving sustainable growth and innovation within the UK construction sector, while simultaneously contributing to the broader economic prosperity of the region.

To find out more about Applebridge visit https://applebridge.com/