Stagecoach awarded 5% Club Gold Membership for second year running
- Awarded Gold Membership second year in a row
- Continuing 2021 Sustainability Strategy objectives for employment, development and opportunity
Stagecoach, the UK’s largest bus and coach operator, has today been awarded Gold Membership 2023/24 accredited by the 5% Club. This is the second time the operator has received this accolade, with the operators first Gold Membership awarded last year.
The 5% Club is a dynamic UK-wide movement of employers who are inspired to take positive action for increased, inclusive, and accessible workplace training for all. With a membership which now exceeds 900 companies, the Employer Audit is a unique scheme which validates the employers’ activities, explores future plans and commitments, as well as examining their 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.
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. If you’re interested in joining Stagecoach, details on how to apply for one of our trainee driver positions and complete an apprenticeship whilst you’re learning can be found here”
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.”
Committed to training and development, 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 operators 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.