Celebrating Excellence: Winners Announced for The 5% Club UK National Employer “Earn & Learn” Awards 2025

On 3 December 2025, The 5% Club hosted a prestigious ceremony at Mansion House, London, recognising newly accredited members and unveiling the winners of the 2025 UK National Employer “Earn & Learn” Awards. This flagship annual event once again highlighted the critical importance of high-quality skills development and accessible early-career pathways during a time when the UK continues to invest in building a resilient, future-ready workforce.

The celebration brought together more than 500 emerging-talent leaders, senior employers, training providers, and policymakers from across the country. Attendees gathered to honour 12 exceptional organisations that have demonstrated outstanding dedication to “earn and learn” opportunities across six award categories. These accolades, underpinned by The 5% Club’s rigorous Employer Audit research, shine a spotlight on employers who are leading the way in developing future skills, opening doors for diverse talent, and driving opportunity and social mobility within their sectors.

A total of 252 organisations achieving Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze status through the Employer Audit Scheme were eligible for recognition this year. The breadth and quality of entries reflected the continued momentum behind employer-led training and the expanding commitment to apprenticeships, graduate programmes, and a wider range of structured earn-and-learn pathways. The awards also underscore the increasing focus on inclusive recruitment, high-quality training experiences, and the long-term career development of early-career professionals.

Award Winners by Category

Inclusion and Social Mobility – Sponsored by Birmingham City University
Large Employer: Grant Thornton
SME: MCFT

Growth – Sponsored by The St Martin’s Group
Large Employer: Rolls Royce Small Modular Reactors
SME: SCL Interiors

Quality – Sponsored by UCAS
Large Employer: Ergro Group
SME: ESG

Breadth – Sponsored by The Open University
Large Employer: Tilbury Douglas
SME: Mackley

Highest Percentage – Sponsored by Unifrog
Large Employer: Johnston Carmichael
SME: Mason Street Furniture

Employer of the Year – Sponsored by City & Guilds
Large Employer: Seddon Construction
SME: McTaggart Construction

Mark Cameron, CEO of The 5% Club, congratulated the winners for their exceptional contributions:  “Receiving a 5% Club ‘Earn & Learn’ Award is a true mark of distinction—recognising an organisation’s sustained dedication to developing talent and advancing social mobility. These winners are setting the standard for creating meaningful opportunities that change lives and strengthen industries. We look forward to welcoming them back to future events to share their achievements and inspire others through their innovative emerging-talent strategies.”

The 5% Club’s Earn & Learn Awards continue to represent one of the UK’s most significant acknowledgements of employers championing apprenticeships, graduate programmes, and broader earn-and-learn routes—driving growth, opportunity, and excellence across the country.