British Cleaning Council ‘Infuriated’ by Suella Braverman Speech
Suella Braverman’s speech at the National Conservatism conference has failed to recognise staff shortages in the cleaning industry, says the British Cleaning...
Read Full ArticleAs the final proposals for a cleaning and hygiene apprenticeship are considered, the British Cleaning Council remains hopeful that the course can be launched in January 2024.
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) is considering an Apprenticeship-Levy funded Apprenticeship Standard for the cleaning and hygiene sector, expecting it to be approved later in 2023.
There is currently no apprenticeship scheme for the sector which provides training in the technical skills needed by cleaning and hygiene operatives working outside health care. This leaves many cleaning and hygiene sector employers with no suitable option for investing Apprenticeship Levy funds in training staff.
The final submission for the funding band will happen on 5 July 2023, with a decision likely to be made by early autumn before the required ministerial sign-off.
“The industry is crying out for this apprenticeship, which will release millions of pounds for training staff, as well as helping in recruitment and tackling the misguided, ridiculously incorrect idea held in some quarters that our staff are low-skilled."
–Jim Melvin
Chair, British Cleaning Council
Establishing the apprenticeship is a crucial priority for the British Cleaning Council (BCC), though the process is taking longer than they expected. This is the third time the sector has submitted a bid for an Apprenticeship Standard covering the entire industry.
The new standard would help address the severe shortage of staff the sector currently faces by providing the first stage of a career ladder to attract new joiners and helping alleviate the damaging narrative that being a cleaner is a “low-skilled” job.
BCC Chair Jim Melvin said: “An industry as large as the cleaning and hygiene sector – which is one of the ten biggest in the UK – will benefit hugely from an Apprenticeship Standard teaching the technical skills needed by most cleaning and hygiene operatives working outside healthcare.
“Sector staff have a vital, frontline role keeping others safe, well and healthy and increasing the public’s hygienic confidence in the UK’s infrastructure and workplaces, so it is essential that they are trained and recognised as being of the correct standards.
“The industry is crying out for this apprenticeship, which will release millions of pounds for training staff, as well as helping in recruitment and tackling the misguided, ridiculously incorrect idea held in some quarters that our staff are low-skilled.
“We want the Cleaning Hygiene Operative Apprenticeship, and the funding for it, to be approved as soon as possible. We are aiming for a launch in January next year at the latest.”
Picture: a photograph of a cleaning operative in a retail space using a mop. Rails on clothing can also be seen. Image Credit: British Cleaning Council
Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 06 July 2023
Suella Braverman’s speech at the National Conservatism conference has failed to recognise staff shortages in the cleaning industry, says the British Cleaning...
Read Full ArticleThe industry body that represents the cleaning and hygiene sector fears its workers will struggle to keep public spaces free of viruses if staff shortages...
Read Full ArticleOn 16 September, i-Recognise Day will celebrate the contribution of cleaning staff across the globe. The sole purpose of the day is to raise the profile of the...
Read Full ArticleCleaning and hygiene sector employers, training operatives, providers and assessment organisations are being urgently encouraged to have their say on proposals for an...
Read Full ArticleAmidst national staff shortages in the UK, cleaners and domestic staff are some of the most in-demand. In the week of 23-29 August, there were a total of 1.66 million...
Read Full ArticleThe leader of one of the UK’s biggest industries has accused the government of being “dismissive, arrogant and completely missing the point” for...
Read Full ArticleFacilities provider ABM is again engaging with 11-12-year-olds to promote the world of engineering and facilities management. The Junior Engineering Engagement...
Read Full ArticleThe Building Cost Information Service predicts that cleaning costs will rise 28 per cent between now and 2028. The building and construction data analyst also says...
Read Full ArticleBuilding maintenance and cleaning costs are to rise by 4.8 per cent and 7.7 per cent respectively this year. The Building Cost Information Service...
Read Full ArticleCoinciding with Tomorrow’s Engineers Week, BGES Group has enrolled three school leavers on an apprenticeship aimed at delivering smart, low-carbon...
Read Full Article