Ainscough Crane Hire Achieves Prestigious Gold Membership in The 5% Club Employer Audit Scheme
- Meagan Wood
- Oct 27, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 6
30 Second Takeaway
Ainscough Crane Hire has been awarded Gold accredited membership of The 5% Club as part of its 2025–26 Employer Audit Scheme, recognising the company’s exceptional commitment to apprenticeships, graduate programmes, and earn-and-learn career pathways. The achievement places Ainscough among the UK’s leading employers for workforce development, social mobility, and inclusive learning.
Ainscough Recognised with Gold Status by The 5% Club
Ainscough Crane Hire has achieved Gold accredited membership within The 5% Club’s highly respected 2025–26 Employer Audit Scheme, marking a major milestone in its long-term commitment to people development and skills investment.
This prestigious recognition celebrates Ainscough’s dedication to providing earn-and-learn opportunities, including:
Apprenticeships
Graduate programmes
Sponsored student placements
These initiatives support employees at every stage of their career, enabling them to learn, grow, and progress within the organisation.
Investing in People for Long-Term Impact
Achieving Gold status reflects Ainscough’s belief that investing in people strengthens not only the business, but the wider communities and industries it serves.
Through structured learning, hands-on experience, and clear progression pathways,
Ainscough is actively:
Developing the next generation of skilled professionals
Supporting long-term employability
Ensuring its workforce is future-ready
This commitment plays a key role in sustaining excellence across Ainscough’s nationwide lifting and logistics operations.
Part of a National Movement for Skills and Inclusion
As a Gold member of The 5% Club, Ainscough joins a network of more than 1,200 forward-thinking employers across the UK.
Collectively, The 5% Club’s members:
Support over 2 million employees
Engage more than 121,000 people in earn-and-learn programmes
Champion accessible, inclusive, and high-impact workplace learning
The independent Employer Audit validates not only current achievements but also long-term ambitions, recognising organisations that embed social mobility, diversity, and inclusion into their workforce strategies.
Industry Recognition from The 5% Club Leadership
Mark Cameron OBE, Chief Executive at The 5% Club, said:
“We are incredibly proud of the outstanding employers, like Ainscough, 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, Ainscough has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to investing in people — shaping the skills of tomorrow and driving lasting impact for both business and society.”
Gill Cronin, Director of Operations at The 5% Club, added:
“It is truly inspiring to see the enthusiasm and leadership our members bring to developing talent. Ainscough’s Gold membership is a shining example of how purposeful investment in people can deliver opportunity, inclusion, and excellence. As 20% of our members now reach these prestigious tiers, organisations like Ainscough continue to pave the way for the future workforce.”
About Ainscough Crane Hire
Ainscough Crane Hire is the UK’s largest crane rental company, operating a fleet of more than 400 cranes from 30 locations nationwide. Alongside its operational excellence, Ainscough is recognised for its strong commitment to people development, training, and career progression.
Through apprenticeships, graduate schemes, and continuous professional development, Ainscough invests in building a skilled, diverse, and future-focused workforce.
🔗 Website: https://www.ainscough.co.uk
About The 5% Club
The 5% Club is a UK-wide movement of employers committed to developing earn-and-learn opportunities through apprenticeships, graduate schemes, and sponsored student placements.
The organisation’s Employer Audit Scheme independently assesses members’ commitment to workforce development, recognising excellence through Bronze, Silver, and Gold accreditation tiers.
🔗 Website: https://www.5percentclub.org.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The 5% Club Gold membership?
Gold membership is the highest accreditation level within The 5% Club Employer Audit Scheme, recognising exceptional commitment to workplace learning and development.
What programmes does Ainscough offer under its earn-and-learn strategy?
Ainscough supports apprenticeships, graduate programmes, and sponsored student placements across its business.
Why is Gold membership significant?
Gold status places Ainscough among the UK’s leading employers for skills development, social mobility, and inclusive learning environments.
How many organisations are members of The 5% Club?
The 5% Club has more than 1,200 member organisations across the UK.
How does this benefit Ainscough’s workforce?
The recognition reinforces Ainscough’s commitment to career progression, skills development, and long-term employability for its employees.
