Apprenticeships in the spotlight

WITH A focus on encouraging younger candidates to consider a career in the cleaning sector, it is important to raise awareness on the numerous career pathways available within the industry.

When shining a spotlight on appropriate career progression opportunities to encourage employment within the industry, it raises the question of how appropriate apprenticeships are within the sector.

I cannot decry from the work the BCC and the associated APPG have done in relation to the apprenticeship for the cleaning and hygiene sector, which will be in addition to the healthcare apprenticeship, and I do look forward to the results of the submission in September this year. 

It is about time that the industry is taken seriously for those wanting a career in the professional cleaning sector. Collectively we must help raise greater awareness that there are many routes that can be taken to provide a long and varied career and it is an industry very overlooked and underrated.

There is however one question I must ask and that is: “Is an apprenticeship suitable for all cleaning operatives?” 

It is vital to acknowledge that many cleaning operatives:

• Work part-time (to fit around family commitments such as children and/or care commitments, etc.) 
• Often hold multiple positions with multiple companies 
• Are part of a large, transient workforce 

Therefore, is an apprenticeship suitable for these operatives? 

I would also raise the point that, whilst lobbying for the apprenticeship is a no brainer, should we also be considering other routes.

The apprenticeship levy has made quite a difference to this. To be able to access the additional tax levied on larger payrolls, the larger companies are keen to make the most of using the funds they are paying into the levy and, currently, an apprenticeship is the only option. 

But should it be?  Why aren’t we, as an industry, joining with industries with similar issues and lobbying for the apprenticeship levy to become more of a training levy where the funds can be accessed for more than just apprenticeships such as essential skills training for those that an apprenticeship is not suited? 

Should this be the time when our industry is recognised and those who are so often ignored whilst doing a crucial job within every industry get to access funded training that, to be quite honest, is essential for the cleaning operative and each and every one of us as we go about our daily existence.  

Imagine if we were in a situation whereby the following places were not cleaned professionally or properly:

• Supermarkets 
• Dentist/doctor surgeries 
• Hospitals
• Schools
• Retail outlets 
• Health and leisure facilities, including gyms
• Hospitality venues, including hotels. 

Therefore, I firmly believe it is vitally important that we continue to collaborate to highlight how crucial cleaning operatives are to our everyday lives and critical for commercial spaces.

The pandemic has highlighted how important hygiene and instilling best practice procedures within the workplace and beyond are crucial. 

It is time to highlight how creating a career in cleaning offers numerous opportunities for potential cleaning operatives UK wide and worldwide. 

Neil Spencer-Cook is chief operating officer at BICSc

For more information visit www.bics.org.uk