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Last month the British Cleaning Council (BCC) launched a UK Cleaning Career Development Zone, which says its Chair Delia Cannings aims to help address the lack of educational structure for staff progression in the sector
The cleaning, hygiene and waste sector is estimated to employ around 1.49 million people in the UK. It is an industry that welcomes people with or without a formal education, from those seeking their first paid employment to those looking for a new start; and from those seeking part time roles to those who want to develop a lifelong career. While this may offer career opportunities to a broad range of people it also results in a fragmented approach to training and development opportunities that may help people to progress within the industry.
Explains BCC Chair Delia Cannings: “This fragmented approach was not enticing the younger generation to pursue careers in the sector, therefore the take up was limited with only nine per cent of people under 25 years working in the cleaning industry.”
CLEANING ZONE
Responding to this need, the BCC in consultation with members has launched a new website that aims to transform how cleaning sector staff find out about career development and training opportunities. The UK Cleaning Career Development Zone (www.ukcleaning.org.uk) is designed to help attract new recruits to the industry. The site brings together information about industry training and development courses in one place for the first time and aims to feature more courses as time progresses.
It will feature details of over 40 courses at frontline, supervisory and management levels and for support roles, submitted by 16 education and training bodies from across the sector as well as industry case studies, information for employers and useful links.
Launching the zone at the Cleaning Show last month, Cannings said: “The sector has been crying out for years for disparate course information offered by different training bodies to be brought together in one place online, where it is easy to access. Visit the Zone to find out about the training you need to succeed in your career.
“This is a hugely exciting project for the whole of the cleaning and hygiene industry, and it could be a game-changer in terms of helping staff progress, and in helping attract new recruits.
“The UK Cleaning Career Development Zone has been designed to provide easy access to the wealth of career opportunities in the sector which many outside the industry did not realise existed.”
By accessing the UK Cleaning Career Development Zone site, industry personnel will easily be able to find the training they need to succeed in their careers, whether that means moving upwards or sideways into cleaning roles in other sectors such as hospitality, healthcare, education, engineering, manufacturing or local government, all areas employing industry staff.
CONSULTATION WITH MEMBERS
The BCC carried out a consultation process among members on the areas that could be covered by the new zone. According to Cannings a key issue was the need for a one-stop shop which catered for staff who want to move across the sector or sideways into project management roles, and not just upwards to senior management positions.
She explains: “The cleaning industry is huge and many, particularly the younger generation, have not realised the huge potential it offers for successful and rewarding careers.
“The UK Cleaning Career Zone enables staff to specialise in an area of interest, for example waste champions, environmental champions or HR champions. BCC members also felt a one-stop shop would reduce confusion, provide information on funded routes and offer reassurance regarding regulated training options to support career progression and transition in a manner that suits individual skill sets, without compromising confidence.”
MULITLEVEL HELP
It’s also hoped the new zone will help support all levels of those working in the industry, from those who are interested in taking on management roles to those who’d like to use their current role as a launchpad into new job roles.
Said Cannings: “The versatility and choice offered by the more than 40 different training options featured on the UK Cleaning Career Zone makes it an incredible resource. It is designed to support anyone, from cleaning operatives to managers, looking for progression routes, opportunities to stretch their abilities or to demonstrate continued professional development.
“The ability to jump on the Zone pathway and review what may suit specific needs means this information has never been more accessible. Furthermore, employers can review the Zone to establish opportunities they may wish to consider as desired factors of employment, as well as it being useful when tendering for new business or identifying desirable educational features. The additional information offered by the Zone also includes signposting to functional skills and ESOL opportunities and numerous industry links.”
She also hopes that making this information more accessible will help make the sector a more attractive destination for newcomers, who will be able to find out more easily how to advance and succeed in their careers.
Visit the Zone at www.ukcleaning.org.uk.
