A New Era of Cleaning Apprenticeships
In a significant development, the British Cleaning Council's (BCC) vision has of a new cleaning apprenticeship has received the nod of approval from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE). The Cleaning Hygiene Operative apprenticeship is a testament to BCC's commitment to upskilling the cleaning and hygiene sector and resonates with the evolving needs of various industries.
At GLP Training, we pride ourselves on having an unwavering focus on aligning training and development to the demands of the modern workplace, as such we are elated to announce that we will be rolling out this new apprenticeship standard, of which we were part of the trailblazer group, beginning early 2024.
A Word from Our CEO - Gemma Parsons
"I'm immensely proud to have been part of the trailblazer group that has worked tirelessly to bring this new standard to life. The Cleaning Hygiene Operative apprenticeship is more than just a programme; it's a promise of ensuring that learners are equipped with industry-relevant skills. It will provide our partners, especially in the facilities sector, a more suitable apprenticeship option compared to the earlier Healthcare Cleaning Operative which primarily catered to the NHS. We believe that through this apprenticeship, we are paving a brighter future for our partners and creating a workforce that’s adept and competent in their respective roles." - Gemma Parsons, CEO, GLP Training
The BCC Perspective
After receiving the green light from IfATE, BCC chair Delia Cannings said: “The Cleaning Hygiene Operative Apprenticeship will be a major and valuable contribution to the future success of the cleaning and hygiene sector. Accessible learning for all funded by the Apprenticeship Levy pot is a first of its kind and long overdue."
“It has been a huge, complicated and at times frustrating piece of work and it has taken much, much longer than expected, so it was hugely exciting when we finally heard that it had been given the green light. I can’t overstate how important this is in terms of addressing the sector’s recruitment issues, helping with succession planning and supporting the professional development of our staff.
“Providing uniform, industry-wide qualifications will help win wider recognition for the vital, skilled work that the sector’s personnel do with pride and professionalism.
“With such an important role in keeping the public healthy, safe, and well, particularly during the turbulence caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and with the risk of another such pandemic in the future, it is vital that this training programme is put in place.
“Handling chemicals, understanding the differences between cleaning and disinfecting, science-based cleaning techniques, the contribution the sector can make to the green agenda and the increasingly important role of technology are all crucial and need to be covered.
“It is long past time that our industry, as one of the biggest in the UK, had an Apprenticeship Standard for cleaning and hygiene staff."
Why the Cleaning Hygiene Operative Apprenticeship Matters
The demand for specialised cleaning and hygiene skills has been on the rise. Industries, more than ever, recognise the importance of maintaining cleanliness and hygiene standards. However, not all sectors have the same requirements, and this distinction is vital.
Our partners, particularly in the facilities sector, have long voiced the need for a program that resonates more with their specific needs than the previous Healthcare Cleaning Operative apprenticeship. Being part of the trailblazer group, we ensured we listened to these industry voices, and the result is the Cleaning Hygiene Operative standard, tailor-made for diverse industries.
Looking Ahead
Our partnership with various industries has always been about understanding, evolving, and delivering. With the introduction of the Cleaning Hygiene Operative apprenticeship standard, we further solidify this commitment. We are excited about the prospects this brings and are geared up to deliver this apprenticeship to all our partners, ensuring they have a skilled and competent workforce ready for the challenges ahead.
For those interested in exploring the 'Cleaning Hygiene Operative' apprenticeship or seeking further details on our 2024 offerings, please get in touch. At GLP Training, we're all about creating success stories, and yours could be the next!
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