Technology, talent and the future of cleaning

TAKING PLACE at the Cleaning Excellence Conference in the Coventry Building Society Arena, the event will provide a platform for discussion around recruitment, training, sustainability, technology, regulation, marketing and compliance.

Rather than focusing solely on where the industry is heading, the programme will examine what cleaning businesses can do now to become more resilient, competitive and prepared for change.

The conference opens with a panel examining one of the sector's most persistent challenges: finding people.

Unlocking new routes into the workforce

‘Unlocking Talent Through Social Impact: A Different Pathway into Cleaning?’ will explore whether rehabilitation and inclusive recruitment programmes could provide a new route into employment.

The session will bring together employers, prison-based trainers and individuals who have progressed into employment following rehabilitation.

Discussion will focus on how custodial training can provide practical skills and recognised standards, and how these can translate into safe and effective roles within the cleaning industry - and what employers need to do to make these pathways work successfully, highlighting the potential benefits for workforce sustainability, social value and professional standards.

Getting to grips with cleaning chemistry

Sustainability is increasingly influencing purchasing decisions, but the terminology surrounding cleaning products can be confusing.

At 10am, a panel will examine claims such as ‘chemical-free’ and ‘green cleaning’, considering what they actually mean and how perceptions can influence product selection, training and on-site practices.

With suppliers, operators and industry experts contributing, the session aims to cut through marketing language and help cleaning professionals make decisions based on safety, performance, compliance and genuine environmental considerations.

Marketing beyond the logo

For businesses competing for contracts and skilled employees, simply having a recognisable brand is no longer enough.

The panel will examine how positioning, messaging and consistent communication can support business development, client retention and employee engagement.

Crucially, it will consider how marketing activity can be measured in terms of tangible outcomes, encouraging businesses to treat marketing as a strategic investment rather than simply a communications exercise.

Closing the technology gap

Robotics and digitalisation are already changing cleaning operations, but adoption remains uneven across the industry. The next talk will explore why some organisations are successfully integrating technology while others have yet to make the transition.

Machinery specialists, end users and training providers will discuss the practical challenges involved in implementation, from workforce engagement and training to ensuring technology works effectively alongside existing processes.

The focus will be on moving beyond the excitement surrounding innovation and towards consistent, reliable use of technology in everyday cleaning operations.

Training remains fundamental

The afternoon programme returns to one of the industry's most important assets: its people.

‘People, Safety & Management: Why Training Matters More Than Ever’ will explore how effective training influences safety, performance and service delivery.

The panel will consider how businesses can move beyond basic compliance and develop confident, capable and engaged teams.

Making regulation practical

The session ‘Regulation in Practice: Understanding the Basics in a Complex Landscape’ will look at legislation including the Health and Safety at Work Act and COSHH, alongside environmental requirements, sustainability expectations and wider industry standards.

The challenge for many businesses is not finding the regulations but understanding how different requirements interact in real-world working environments.

The panel will explore common areas of confusion and consider how organisations can simplify the fundamentals, improve compliance and make more confident operational decisions.

Are audits really improving standards?

The final dedicated BICSc session will question how effectively the industry uses data and examine whether organisations are collecting too much information without necessarily turning it into meaningful action.

The discussion will consider the difference between what can be measured and what actually matters, and whether current auditing systems always provide an accurate picture of performance on site.

The panel will explore how organisations can use audits and compliance processes not simply to generate reports, but to identify problems, support teams and deliver measurable improvements.

Looking to the future

The BICSc Conference will conclude with a joint panel on the main Cleaning Excellence Conference stage: ‘Future-Proof Cleaning’.

Hosted by BICSc's group managing director Neil Spencer-Cook, the panel will feature Lorraine Larman, Paul Ashton and Daniel Cross.

The discussion will bring together many of the themes explored throughout the day, including robotics, AI, digitalisation, regulation, sustainability and the development of the next generation of talent.

The central question will be how the industry can become more proactive in anticipating change rather than simply responding to it.

For more information on the Cleaning Excellence Conference, visit https://cleaningconference.com/