Training the Cleaning Sector Through Apprenticeships

It's always a good time for a deep clean! But as you tidy up your space, have you ever wondered what it takes to clean on a commercial scale? 

Well, according to recent industry figures, Cleaning, Hygiene and Waste is still one of the UK's ten biggest sectors and is worth nearly £59.8 billion to our economy. It also employs some 1.47 million people - that's around 5% of Britain's workforce.  

Research from the British Cleaning Council (BCC) shows the industry recovering well from the Covid- 19 pandemic - especially now that more employees are returning to the workplace instead of working from home.  

Also, Covid-19 improved people's perceptions of the cleaning industry, raising its profile and underlining the importance of the professional cleaner's role.  

That's all obviously good news for the cleaning sector but to sustain growth it must address staffing shortages and the problem of having an ageing workforce. 

Tackling skills gaps  

The introduction of the Level 2 Cleaning Hygiene Operative Apprenticeship in January 2024 has been warmly welcomed by cleaning industry leaders - as has the new government's plan to replace the Apprenticeship Levy with the Growth and Skills Levy.  

British Cleaning Council Chair, Delia Cannings said: "The launch of this apprenticeship was a big step forward for our sector, potentially unlocking millions of pounds a year for staff training in the industry. 

It offers a way for industry businesses both large and small to invest in their staff using Levy funds, giving employees an opportunity to access a recognised work-related cleaning qualification." 

However, take up of the apprenticeship has been slower than the sector would have liked and, she added, "the truth is that one size does not fit all."  

Ms Canning said that although the BCC had been hugely involved in developing and supporting the apprenticeship to make it fit for purpose, it had faced restrictions that had limited the standard's scope and design. She added that levy reform 'would enable a more flexible approach to education and training which is focused on developing skill sets, to support life-long learning and widening participation and growth.' 

Level 2 Cleaning Hygiene Operative Apprenticeship 

This 12-month apprenticeship is for learners wanting to train as care hygiene operatives, cleaning hygiene operatives, cleaning services operatives or domestic assistants. 

It is eligible for government funding of up to £5,000, with 15 providers nationally delivering the training. 

Hygiene operatives work in a wide variety of healthcare settings where specialised cleaning skills, techniques and procedures are needed to ensure a safe, hygienic, sanitised environment. Such workplaces Include hospitals, medical centres, dental surgeries and care homes.  

Commercial cleaning operatives work in environments where people mix, such as offices and factories. These settings also include public spaces with a heavy footfall such as hotels, food retailers, schools, railways stations and leisure centres. 

The skills apprentices will learn on the level 2 programme include how to:  

• Select and use the cleaning agent that is right for the surface type 

• Use and dispose of chemicals following the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations and apply safety data sheets and dilution rates 

• Deal with routine and non-routine waste in line with organisation policies and environmental disposal legislation 

• Prepare cleaning materials and machinery and check that all electrical equipment used complies with PAT testing requirements 

• Clean cleaning equipment and machinery after use 

• Use PPE and comply with the organisational uniform policy to maintain required levels of hygiene  

• Recognise the signs of infestation and report and monitor the problem according to local procedures 

• Recognise and respond to rapid response clean requests 

• Conduct scheduled and periodic cleaning, prioritising work where needed 

• Conduct cleaning and disinfection tasks 

• Deliver housekeeping services including maintaining a clean storage environment, maintenance of equipment, stock control and rotation 

• Use visual checks and objective auditing techniques to ensure that cleaning has been completed to contractual standards  

• Take measures to ensure the security of cleaning equipment and materials, and premises. 

• Identify and use correct methods for removal of contaminating material 

• Comply with data protection legislation 

• Apply colour coding correctly  

• Apply sustainable practices  

• Apply procedures for reporting shortages, incidents, accidents, and issues with delivering cleaning services 

• Carry out and record different types of cleaning methods 

• Communicate with colleagues, clients, customers, service users and other stakeholders professionally 

As this list shows, cleaning staff working in healthcare and commercial settings need to be well trained and have a wide range of skills and knowledge to keep us all safe. 

The cleaning industry is evolving, and well-trained professionals are essential to maintaining high standards. Apprenticeships offer a structured and practical way to equip the next generation with the skills they need. 

With OneFile, you can streamline apprenticeship training, track progress and ensure compliance - all in one place. Start building a skilled, future-ready workforce today. 

Ready to upskill your team? Discover how OneFile can support your apprenticeship training needs. Learn more today!