Friday November 14th 2025
SGN apprentices 5% Club
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
SGN has achieved the accreditation as part of The 5% Club’s highly respected 2025-26 Employer Audit Scheme just one year after joining, recognising a dedication to nurturing talent through ‘earn and learn’ opportunities.
The announcement celebrates SGN’s dedication to empowering their people to grow and learn through apprenticeships, graduate programmes and traineeships. This Gold accolade places them among the UK’s leaders in workforce development, showcasing their passion for creating learning environments where every colleague can succeed.
Through hands-on learning and development, SGN are shaping the next generation of skilled professionals and ensuring our workforce is ready for a net zero future, with 7% of their workforce on an earn and learn scheme. Alongside this, they are committed to continue successfully building their frontline teams to support communities, while also expanding into corporate functions to support business transformation.
As part of this ambition, they have developed two new state-of-the art training facilities. Their new National Training Centre for Scotland, opening in January, will provide SGN with a modern, dedicated space for technical, practical, relevant and accessible training. It will reduce their reliance on external training providers and enhance their in-house technical training ability. It marks a transformative step in the company’s training capabilities.
This follows their recently opened UK’s first hydrogen training centre for gas engineers. Located at Fife College’s Levenmouth Campus, the facility will train over 100 Gas Safe registered engineers this year, equipping them with the green skills needed to safely convert homes from natural gas to hydrogen.
As a member of The 5% Club, SGN join a movement of more than 1,200 forward-thinking employers who are championing inclusive, accessible, and impactful workplace learning. Collectively, members support over two million employees, with more than 121,000 engaged in ‘earn and learn’ programmes.
Penny Meddes, Chief People Officer at SGN, said:
“I’m delighted that our dedication to supporting our people to thrive through earn and learn opportunities has been recognised by The 5% Club. Our Gold Membership highlights our ongoing commitment to development in the workplace and we look forward to welcoming the talent of the future into SGN.”
Founded in 2013, The 5% Club works with UK employers and key influencers to inspire positive action for increased and accessible workplace learning, with a focus on apprentices, sponsored students and graduates. Its mission is to boost youth employment, enhance career prospects, and help the UK build a future-ready, skilled workforce.
Mark Cameron OBE, Chief Executive at The 5% Club, said:
“We are incredibly proud of the outstanding employers, like SGN, who continue to raise the bar for workplace learning. Their dedication to creating rich and varied ‘earn and learn’ opportunities sets a remarkable example. By achieving Gold membership, SGN has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to investing in people, shaping the skills of tomorrow and driving lasting impact for both business and society.”
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