National decorating contractor Bagnalls has been awarded Platinum-accredited membership via The 5% Club’s 2023-24 Employer Audit Scheme. 

This prestigious award recognizes Bagnalls’ continued commitment to its employees’ development through ‘earn and learn’ initiatives, such as apprenticeships, graduate schemes and sponsored student course placements. 

The 5% Club introduced the top tier of Platinum membership to mark its 10th anniversary earlier this year. This membership level can only be achieved by a company that maintains its Gold membership for at least three consecutive years and has at least 10% of its current employees ‘earning and learning’. Bagnalls achieved these qualifications due to their fantastic apprenticeship scheme that helps young talent gain access to the industry. 

From an original list of 180 audit participants, Bagnalls is one of only 30 employers to achieve the Platinum standard, placing the painting and decorating contractor in the top 3% of members. 

Bagnalls’ HR Director, Ellie Jobes comments: “The company is proud of our investment in our staff members: our Bagnalls family! We love to help our colleagues succeed and develop within their professional roles and we enjoy watching our apprentices gain further understanding as they enter our fantastic painting and decorating industry. This is why our Platinum membership with The 5% Club means so much to us.” 

With an overall membership of more than 900 companies, The 5% Club represents over 1.6 million employees, over 100,000 of whom are actively participating in ‘earn and learn’ schemes. The Employer Audit Scheme validates employer activities, explores plans for future development and further training, as well as examining a company’s approach to quality, social mobility, diversity and inclusion. 

Gill Cronin, Director of Operations at The 5% Club, added: “I am always impressed by the commitment, drive and energy of our members when it comes to offering ‘earn and learn’ skills opportunities. To now see 20% of these members gain Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum-accredited memberships is inspiring and demonstrates how these companies are all contributing to the future of skills in our economy.” 

The 5% Club’s Chief Executive, Mark Cameron OBE, also commented: “It is fantastic that so many employers are able to commit to the Employer Audit during these challenging times. Their efforts and achievements are to be applauded. Even more impressive is the 3% who have achieved Platinum level membership – they represent the very best of our movement and of those employers offering ‘earn and learn’ opportunities.” 

This achievement has further confirmed Bagnalls’ status as a caring and development-focused employer that affords young, talented apprentices and graduates the opportunities required to launch successful careers within the painting and decorating industry. 

About Bagnalls 

Specialist painting and decorating business Bagnalls has been a family-run company for nearly 150 years, providing the finest painting and industrial coatings services to clients across a wide range of sectors. The company prides itself on doing things the right way, via investment in its people, health and safety and sustainability.