Card scheme: Just the ticket?
June 1st 2007

Independent cleaning firm,TC Contractors has implemented a web-based skills and qualifications passport , demonstrating its commitment to employee advancement and service delivery

As part of an ongoing strategy to promote a culture of employee advancement, identify gaps in training, reduce recruitment costs, and strengthen service standards,TC Contractors has become a Pathway Card Registered Organisation.

The contract cleaning specialist has already allocated the credit card-sized skills and qualifications passport to some 50 employees across upper level and on-site management teams.

Becoming a Pathway Card registered verifier enables TC Contractors to set up a secure on-line skills and qualifications passport for selected employees.The web-based facility provides a verified record of all on-the-job and educational training acquired during the period of employment.The company's internal verifiers can view each passport to verify a skill or qualification, as well as update it when the employee receives more training.

Staff can quickly update their own card provided the course of skill has been checked and confirmed by an internal verifier.The scheme allows TC Contractors access to training records for all Pathway Card members it employs.

Sarah Smith, training manager, comments "By becoming a Pathway Card registered organisation,we are clearly underlining our commitment to staff empowerment and development.The Pathway Card initiative offers an easy method of maintaining training records, which helps us identify and address gaps in skills and qualifications, as well as flag employees that are suitable for promotion.

Sarah continues "It also provides reassurance to existing and potential clients that our employees carry a verified record of competence. Everyone has bought into the scheme and we are already seeing a significant improvement in morale.As a result, we are confident that the Pathway Card will help cut recruitment costs by increasing loyalty and staff retention rates." The Pathway Card is said to reduce the cost and inconvenience of unnecessary re-training by providing an account of day-to-day learning undertaken on the job, as well as more academic qualifications.

The card was developed by Asset Skills, British Institute of Cleaning Science, Cleaning and Support Services Association and the British Cleaning Council.

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