27/4/2009 - Awards ceremony for cleaning operators

Cleaning operators will be honoured at a prize-giving ceremony after completing a nationally recognised award.

Around 12 members of staff from Cumbria County Council’s premises unit, who work at locations including schools and council buildings in the south of the county, are being handed Cleaning Operators Proficiency Certificate Awards at Barrow’s Nan Tait Centre on Wednesday (April 29).

The award, which is accredited through the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc), ensures candidates are fully trained in nationally recognised cleaning procedures. They are assessed in and have to undertake 10 cleaning tasks, chosen from a possible 30, to assess their skills.

The training brings benefits to premises unit customers as it enables the cleaning team to choose the most suitable techniques for each site and helps enhance cleaning standards generally.

Sue Castle-Clarke, head of Cumbria County Council’s premises unit, who will be presenting the certificates, said: "I’m delighted to be presenting certificates to our cleaning employees, and congratulate them on achieving this nationally recognised award.

"Their training will be a real benefit to premises unit customers as it enables the cleaning team to take on board the specific requirements of each site and improves standards generally as well as motivating and giving professional recognition to those directly engaged in county council cleaning work."

As well as the BICSc accredited award, the cleaning operators will also be handed certificates from Asset Skills which was involved in the training as part of a women and work program that has been running throughout the cleaning industry for around two years.

ENDS

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