Basic Skills training in the workplace

---

OCS was formed in 1900 and now employs more than 50,000 people globally, with 32,000 in the UK. Among the OCS Group portfolio of support services, OCS Cleaning is the largest employer with 14,500 members of staff in the UK.

The company has a good grasp that the provision of basic, core skills for first line managers has become a key issue within the cleaning industry. It knows the key to a productive, efficient organisation lies in a skilled and motivated workforce and places great emphasis on staff training. Its Chief Executive, Chris Cracknell, is also Chairman of Asset Skills.

The need to develop team leaders and supervisors has led to the inclusion of literacy and numeracy skills within a new business supervisory course funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). Staff often feel if they admit to problems with skills such as reading, writing or basic arithmetic, they will jeopardise their jobs.

"Most of our supervisors are cleaners who have been promoted so it is down to us to develop their managerial and administration skills," says Employee Development Manager Ian Hillard.

"Often this means looking at life skills such as literacy and numeracy as well. OCS has seen tangible benefits from the course which provide a business case on their own, in addition to the improved staff morale and retention we have seen."

Cutting staff turnover

Specialist Adviser for Cleaning at Asset Skills, Karen Waterlow, says: "Here we have an excellent example of employers developing a course, combining education and training providers as well as industry know-how."

In an industry where staff turnover runs as high as 75%, none of the managers enrolled on the course have left OCS during, or since they began, the scheme.

OCS has seen more promotions within the pool of operatives and supervisors who have taken the course. There has also been fewer HR related issues and less data inputting errors such as wage calculations.

"As the government seeks to tackle adult literacy and numeracy skills, courses such as this show that workplace training can be a key platform from which to successfully address the skills for life issues within the UK," says Waterlow.

The next step for OCS is a national roll out of the pilot programme. They will also invite successful course candidates to undergo a complete 60 hour course to become a supervisor. The timeline for this is approximately 18 months, throughout which Asset Skills will be a skills and training partner of choice throughout these processes and will continually refine the course.

"It is up to employers to drive the qualifications they want for their staff," says Hillard. "Getting involved with organisations such as Asset Skills and vocational education providers is hugely important."