Berkeley Group has been named a Gold member of The 5% Club for the third consecutive year, with over 9% of staff across the Group in ‘earn and learn’ positions in 2023-2024.
The accolade recognises the consistent positive impact of Berkeley’s Future Skills programme, which is equipping new talent with the skills they need both now and for the future.
Members of The 5% Club commit to 5% of their workforce being in ‘earn and learn’ positions. This includes apprentices, graduates and sponsored students, in formal training for at least a year – with Berkeley consistently surpassing the 5% requirement to attain Gold status.
On average, Berkeley had 150 direct apprentices and approximately 50 graduates in training throughout the past year, and was recognised as the top graduate employer in the Property and Housebuilding sector and listed 10th overall by TheJobCrowd.
Berkeley’s Future Skills programme helps to develop future talent in a number of ways, including a network of dedicated Future Skills Managers, mentors, the Berkeley Academy training centre, an online Learning Management System, and external training partners.
Mark Cameron OBE, Chief Executive at The 5% Club, commented:
“We are incredibly proud of the outstanding employers, like Berkeley Group 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, Berkeley Group has shown an exceptional commitment to shaping the skills of tomorrow, contributing not only to their business but to the wider economy.”
Gill Cronin, Director of Operations at The 5% Club, added:
"It is inspiring to witness the dedication and passion our members bring to providing meaningful career development opportunities. Berkeley Group’s Gold membership highlights their leadership in creating impactful learning environments that prioritise inclusion and diversity. As we see 20% of our members reaching these prestigious tiers, it’s a true reflection of how companies like Berkeley Group are laying the groundwork for the future talent pipeline.”
As well as providing skills and training for its own staff, Berkeley’s Future Skills programme also supports the wider industry, promoting careers in the built environment, and working in partnership to bring more talent into the industry. Read more about Berkeley’s £100,000 commitment to help SME’s take on apprentices here.