Stagecoach awarded Gold in 5% Club

Stagecoach has been awarded Gold Membership 2023/24 accreditation by the 5% Club. This is the second time the operator has received the accolade, having achieved it last year.

The 5% Club is a UK-wide movement of employers who are taking action for increased, inclusive and accessible workplace training for all. With a membership which now exceeds 900 companies, the Employer Audit validates the employers’ activities, explores future plans and commitments, as well as examining approaches to quality, social mobility, diversity and inclusion.

Stagecoach was one of the 120 employers who met the 5% Clubs Gold Standard. The award recognises Stagecoach’s continued significant contribution to the development of employees through ‘earn & learn’ schemes such as Apprenticeships and Graduate Schemes.

To meet the standard, companies must have over 5% of its workforce on ‘earn & learn’ schemes. Above Gold Membership is Platinum Membership, which requires Gold Membership in three consecutive years, and in year three, in excess of 10% of its workforce on ‘earn & learn’ schemes.

“Developing this pipeline of talented individuals brings huge value to our business in terms of talent and diversity” – Claire Miles, Stagecoach Chief Executive Officer

Claire Miles, Stagecoach Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded Gold Membership with the 5% club for the second consecutive year. Championing development for our employees is essential at Stagecoach.

“Developing this pipeline of talented individuals brings huge value to our business in terms of talent and diversity. ‘Earn and Learn’ positions have been invaluable in helping us engage with local communities to ensure those we serve are represented in our workforce and are equipped with the best tools to achieve.

“We look forward to further expanding the opportunities available to our employees and those looking to join Stagecoach to help us achieve our ambitions for the future.”

Mark Cameron OBE, Chief Executive at The 5% Club, said: “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 can 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.”

Stagecoach is driving forward several initiatives to build an inclusive workforce that represents all the customers and communities it serves. In 2021, the operator launched a new Sustainability Strategy which detailed its objective of having 40% females in leadership roles by 2026 and 25% of its workforce from ethnic minorities, alongside commitment to more work placements for 16–24-year-olds.

The announcement comes after the recent relaunch of the operator’s Graduate Leadership Scheme, welcoming nine graduates in operating companies across the country.

Stagecoach was also the first public transport operator to offer a flagship driver apprenticeship scheme and an industry-leading engineering apprenticeship programme. Earning the operator recognition as an Apprenticeships Top 50 employer, 2023.

It also offers a ‘Trade-up’ scheme, giving existing employees the opportunity to undertake an apprenticeship with the engineering team and are hoping to develop this even further.