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Luke Parsons

The Property Maintenance Operative Apprenticeship

An in-depth look into the Property Maintenance Operative Apprenticeship


In the world of building services, maintenance and property management, few roles are as versatile or as indispensable as the Property Maintenance Operative. This crucial figure carries the responsibility of keeping buildings in excellent shape and ensuring they are safe, comfortable, and functional places for occupants. As one of the largest providers of the Property Maintenance Operative apprenticeship, we're proud to offer an in-depth look at this dynamic programme.


What do maintenance apprentices learn?


Our Property Maintenance Operative apprenticeship is an intensive, hands-on experience where apprentices learn to maintain and repair the fabric of buildings. Covering a range of technical aspects in construction and property care, our comprehensive curriculum ensures our apprentices are well-equipped to handle a multitude of tasks.


Here's some of what our programme covers:


Basic Construction Techniques:

Understanding the structure of buildings is fundamental. We start by teaching the basics of construction to give our apprentices a solid foundation. This includes learning about different types of buildings and construction materials, as well as understanding blueprints and floor plans.


Health and Safety:

A critical aspect of any operative's role is the ability to ensure safety. Our apprentices learn all about current health and safety regulations, risk assessments, and procedures to ensure they can maintain a safe working environment.


Maintenance Skills:

The bread and butter of the role, maintenance skills are a major focus of the apprenticeship. This includes plumbing, electrical, carpentry, painting, and decorating tasks.


Customer Service:

Property Maintenance Operatives often interact with occupants. So, excellent customer service skills are crucial. We work on improving communication, problem-solving and interpersonal skills.


Sustainability Practices:

With increasing focus on green practices, we teach our apprentices about sustainability in property maintenance, covering aspects like waste management, energy efficiency, and water conservation.


 

The Maintenance Operative Job Role


As a Property Maintenance Operative, you'll be the go-to person for all things maintenance. From repairing electrical faults and plumbing issues to refurbishing areas of a property, the job role covers a broad spectrum of tasks. In essence, you're the caretaker of a building's integrity.


You'll be working both indoors and outdoors, carrying out repairs and maintenance tasks, often while dealing with tenants or property owners. This job requires dexterity, problem-solving skills, and a great deal of versatility. You might be fixing a leaky pipe one day and painting a wall the next, but at the end of the day, your goal is to ensure the property is safe, functional, and well-maintained.


Two maintenance staff plastering a wall

Changes to the Apprenticeship Standard in 2023


What's new in the 2023 Property Maintenance Operative apprenticeship standard? In 2023, important changes were introduced to the apprenticeship standard, making the program even more robust and future-focused. Here's what's new:


Increased Emphasis on Green Practices:

Reflecting the industry's shift towards sustainable property management, there is now an increased focus on eco-friendly practices. Apprentices are taught not just how to maintain a building, but how to do so sustainably.


Digital Skills:

As more building systems become digitised, it's crucial for maintenance operatives to be technologically savvy. The updated standard includes training on the use of digital tools for maintenance, from diagnostic tools to digital record-keeping systems.


Enhanced Communication Training:

Recognising that Property Maintenance Operatives often serve as a bridge between property owners and tenants, the new standard includes enhanced training in communication and conflict resolution.


On-the-job Training:

The updated standard emphasises real-world experience, with more on-the-job training included in the program. This gives apprentices invaluable hands-on experience and practical knowledge.


 

A Bright Future in Property Maintenance


With these updates and a comprehensive skill set, the Property Maintenance Operative apprenticeship is a great start for anyone looking to enter this field. It offers a blend of technical and interpersonal skills, providing a strong foundation for a rewarding career.


Whether you're interested in working for a large property management company or starting your own maintenance business, this apprenticeship is your first step towards success.


As we move further into the 21st century, the role of a Property Maintenance Operative is not just about preserving and repairing buildings, but about ensuring they're efficient, sustainable, and harmonious spaces for their occupants. As one of the largest providers of this apprenticeship, we're excited to help shape the future of property maintenance, one apprentice at a time.


 

Our Apprenticeship Partnerships


GLP Training - Property Maintenance Operative Employers
Some of the employers we deliver the Property Maintenance Operative apprenticeship to

We are privileged to deliver our Property Maintenance Operative Apprenticeship to some of the most respected companies across diverse sectors. Our partnerships span the hospitality industry, health sector, logistics, retail, and public services, reflecting the versatility and applicability of this apprenticeship. Here's a closer look at some of the companies we work with:


Hilton:

As one of the world's leading hospitality companies, Hilton demands the highest standards in property maintenance. Our apprenticeship ensures Hilton's properties are kept in top-notch condition, providing guests with a comfortable and enjoyable stay.


David Lloyd Clubs:

Known for their premium fitness and leisure facilities, David Lloyd Clubs need maintenance operatives to keep their spaces safe and inviting. Our apprentices ensure everything from gym equipment to locker rooms are well-maintained and up to David Lloyd's high standards.


Mitie:

As a leading facilities management and professional services company, Mitie manages a large and varied portfolio of properties. Our apprenticeship program trains operatives to tackle the diverse maintenance challenges this entails.


GXO:

Operating in the logistics sector, GXO relies on well-maintained facilities to ensure smooth and efficient operations. Our apprentices help to maintain the physical infrastructure that keeps GXO's logistics running smoothly.


Nuffield Health:

With a network of hospitals, fitness and wellbeing clubs, Nuffield Health requires a meticulous approach to property maintenance. Our apprentices play a critical role in ensuring the health and safety standards are met across their facilities.


Lidl:

In the retail sector, companies like Lidl need their stores to be clean, safe, and welcoming for customers. Our apprentices help maintain the quality of their store environments, ensuring a positive shopping experience.


NHS:

The National Health Service, one of the world's largest publicly funded health services, has a vast array of properties that require maintenance. From hospitals to clinics, our apprentices help create safe, well-maintained environments for both patients and healthcare professionals.


Our partnerships with these companies underscore the vital role Property Maintenance Operatives play across sectors. We're proud to contribute to the maintenance and upkeep of these institutions, and we're committed to delivering high-quality training that benefits both our apprentices and our partner companies.


 

Our Success Rate


A key indicator of the effectiveness of our Property Maintenance Operative Apprenticeship is our remarkable success rate. We're proud to report that our current pass rate for 2023 stands at an impressive 87%. This means that the vast majority of our apprentices not only complete the programme but do so successfully, acquiring the full range of skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the field of property maintenance.


A significant contributor to our high success rate is our industry leading training and EPA (End Point Assessment) bays located at our head office in Worcester. These dedicated facilities provide our apprentices with a conducive environment for hands-on learning and practice, mimicking real-world conditions and challenges. Last year, in recognition of our innovative approach to training and our commitment to excellence, we were awarded the prestigious City & Guilds Centre of Excellence Award.


This award-winning facility and our exceptional success rate are testaments to the quality of our program, the dedication of our trainers, and the hard work of our apprentices. They underscore our commitment to delivering a high-standard, comprehensive training experience that truly prepares our apprentices for their future careers. Whether you're just starting out or looking to upgrade your skills, our Property Maintenance Operative Apprenticeship, supported by our exceptional training facilities, offers you a proven pathway to success.

City & Guilds Centre of Excellence Award

Discover More About Our Property Maintenance Operative Apprenticeship


As you've seen, our Property Maintenance Operative Apprenticeship offers comprehensive training that prepares you for a diverse range of professional opportunities. But there's so much more to discover! Whether you're curious about detailed course content, entry requirements, the enrolment process, or potential career paths after completion, all the information you need is just a click away.


We invite you to visit our Property Maintenance Operative course page on our website. There, you'll find an in-depth look at what the apprenticeship involves, the skills you'll acquire, and how this program can be your steppingstone into a rewarding career in property maintenance.


Don't just dream about a future in property maintenance—take the first step towards making it happen. Check out our Property Maintenance Operative course page and get started on your journey today. Your future starts here!


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