Professional cleaners are by and large the forgotten heroes of the workplace.
Their roles are essential, keeping the work environment hygienic and sanitary through tasks that are largely forgotten.
Most staff don’t think about who fills the toilet paper dispensers, tops up the hand soap dispensers, steam cleans carpets, or keeps the communal kitchen spotless.
Although the role, for example, of professional carpet cleaners and professional steam cleaners primarily appears unseen, investing in training and skill building for staff has proven to increase productivity.
The Government has taken notice and is now offering funding for facilities management and cleaning employers to put staff through training for technical certificates in Cleaning Principles, Equality and Diversity, Customer Service, Business Administration, Team Leading and Hospitality.
The courses are distance-learning based and last between three and six months.
The programs are recognised nationally and accredited by organisations such as NCFE and City and Guilds.
An initial face-to-face meeting for enrolment is required where an introduction and advice on how to use the support materials throughout the training is provided.
The participants will be assessed through multiple choice questions and assignments throughout the courses.
In order to be eligible to enrol the cleaning professional must work in England, be a resident of the EU for the previous three years, be over 19 and not already have the same or higher qualifications.
For more information, interested employers should contact Tom Orton, the Asset Skills UK Academy Coordinator, at torton@assetskills.org.