CPI Commits to Tackling Youth Unemployment with 5% Club
03 Sept 2018
The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) has strengthened its commitment to the workers of tomorrow by joining an employer-members organisation focused on lowering youth unemployment and increasing skills across the UK.
CPI is now part of The 5% Club, which aims to drive up recruitment of apprentices, sponsored students and graduates by creating ‘earn and learn’ training opportunities.
Members of the club aspire to have 5% of their workforce in formalised training within five years and CPI is already above the benchmark, with 8% of staff in such schemes.
Membership of The 5% Club will add to CPI’s long track record in helping employees strengthen their careers.
To date, 64 people have successfully worked through its Management Development Programme since 2014.
![CPI Process Technician Joe Henderson has just completed his Science Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship CPI Process Technician Joe Henderson has just completed his Science Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/joe-henderson-ii.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559212553&s=1196eaf9395deac501dd83ca5c03d879 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/joe-henderson-ii.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559212553&s=443c831eeeec8e78702e173c4f4807ae 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/joe-henderson-ii.jpg?w=2240&h=1260&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559212553&s=012f2216af259fa36dafe50d955d1f65 2240w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/joe-henderson-ii.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559212553&s=933b5ce896ddcface4f0944e2fc7eaee 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/joe-henderson-ii.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559212553&s=1ce179f3ab7b3eb87ac31024d9f299c6 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/joe-henderson-ii.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559212553&s=285148c551f3f3f59914899cbce13af6 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/joe-henderson-ii.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559212553&s=a1938de9182a8172991c57494bd70209 960w)
In addition, 22 current members of staff are in further educational studies with colleges and universities, with the diversity of learning ranging from MBAs and HR Management Masters degrees to CIPS level 4, Electrical/Electronic HNCs and an Analytical Chemistry foundation degree.
CPI also employs a number of apprentices across a variety of business, engineering and scientific disciplines, with this commitment to ‘growing its own’ having recently been reflected in the appointment of two new degree-level laboratory apprentices.
The business has also recently carried out a recruitment campaign to take on further apprentices, in areas such as manufacturing and warehouse work, to maintain its progress.
Elsewhere, its commitment to supporting young workers was highlighted at the recent Great Exhibition of the North, in Newcastle, which was a three-month long celebration of the area’s pioneering spirit and how its inventors, artists and designers are helping build the economy of tomorrow.
The achievements of Process Technician Joe Henderson, 19 – who recently completed a Science Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship — and Equipment Technician Michael Stokes, 22, were showcased in the Technicians Make It Happen ceremony at the event.
![Equipment Technician Michael Stokes works on apparatus at CPI's National Printable Electronics Centre at NETPark, in Sedgefield, County Durham Equipment Technician Michael Stokes works on apparatus at CPI's National Printable Electronics Centre at NETPark, in Sedgefield, County Durham](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/michael-stokes.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559213584&s=8667b548915267ea4de434dbcdd860f4 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/michael-stokes.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559213584&s=bc8430d46c9c470d798aef2a39dbad3c 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/michael-stokes.jpg?w=2240&h=1260&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559213584&s=b139f010303809319928f3c83c76d34a 2240w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/michael-stokes.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559213584&s=6f4a97deb46f5a86b12e82b750bce775 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/michael-stokes.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559213584&s=32d3542b775a9286609602bc3b9e6350 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/michael-stokes.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559213584&s=70e146bd559c95c123901013183bb973 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/michael-stokes.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559213584&s=a3a9c3c393ec60bbdf2b32ce3c3aed12 960w)
Jodie Coe, People Development Director at CPI, said: “We are delighted to be a member of The 5% Club.
“We are committed to fostering a culture of learning here, making this a great place for all to grow and develop, and being part of The 5% Club will only help us continue that work.
“Our success comes from offering clients and stakeholders access to our outstanding people and their renowned capabilities.”
The 5% Club was founded in 2013 by Leo Quinn, Group CEO at Balfour Beatty, with the aim of addressing high youth unemployment and a shortage of skills.
Its membership includes large and small employers operating across a wide range of sectors.
“New technologies are changing the world of work – many jobs will disappear and new skills will be required to earn a living,” said Leo.
“The 5% Club is a great way for employers to share best practice and to raise awareness of ‘earn and learn’ among the next generation.
“As employers, we are best placed to know the capabilities we will need to recruit going forward to help make sure the UK is strong and successful enough to fund a fair society for all.”
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