ISG has committed to increasing the number of young people it employs by joining the 5% Club, which lobbies UK business to ensure at least 5% of its workforce are in ‘earn and learn’ positions.
By joining, the contractor, which employs more than 2,100 people in the UK, will also seek to increase the gender and ethnic diversity of people working in its business.
The 5% Club is a pan-industry, employer-led organisation founded in 2013 by current Balfour Beatty CEO Leo Quinn, who chairs the steering board.
The organisation aims to increase the employment and career prospects of today’s young people and equip the UK with the skilled workforce it needs. Members commit to achieve 5% of their UK work force in “earn and learn” positions within five years of joining.
ISG currently employs 51 apprentices across its business units working in 13 different occupations including quantity surveying, joinery, bricklaying and finance. A total of 36 of these apprentices are currently studying at Level 6 or higher. The company also employs 26 graduates and five industry placement students in the UK.
Jane Falconer, chief human resources officer at ISG said: “The future of the construction industry relies heavily on the management and advancement of apprenticeships and other early careers pathways. Last year we doubled our apprenticeship training targets, launched our very own Level 3 Professional Construction Practice qualification and through our World of Work Experience (WOWEX) programme, helped introduce construction roles to a new generation of individuals – many of whom would never have considered a career in the construction”
“This year, during National Apprenticeship Week, we have committed to join the 5% Club, benchmarking our performance against the UK’s most socially responsible companies and creating a clear framework to further expand our early careers opportunities and invest sustainably in skills for the future.”
“Young people want to see people like themselves in successful and rewarding careers – this is why it is so important that we continue to engage with them and promote the great opportunities that exist within our industry.”
