Helping women fulfil their workplace potential

Asset Skills to run third year of Women and Work in cleaning industry

The Women & Work (W&W) programme is a Government initiative which aims to help women secure better training to fulfil their potential in the workplace.

It runs in England only and seeks to improve career opportunities for women in sectors and occupations where there are specific skills shortages and skills gaps.

As the Sector Skills Council for cleaning, Asset Skills has operated the programme in the industry for two years to ensure a workforce with the right skills in place to raise productivity and help build a stronger future.

Morale booster

W&W gives learners a chance to improve their existing skills or progress within the company into higher skilled, better paid positions.

In the first year, Asset Skills succeeded in putting 1,638 women through the training, helping equip them with leadership and supervisory skills and often a much needed confidence boost. Now the scheme has been extended for a third year.

"We have worked closely with employers to provide good quality staff development for women cleaners," said Richard Beamish, Chief Executive of Asset Skills.

"So far we have received excellent feedback on the training offered and the benefits to all involved.

"We are delighted the scheme is being rolled out for another year as it will allow us to continue building on these positive outcomes."

Benefits to business

One of the companies to use the programme is Doncaster Metropolitan Council's Metro Clean service.

It employs 729 staff and is responsible for cleaning 425 premises, including more than 100 schools.

Metro Clean is dedicated to staff training and development and has a fully equipped training centre accredited by the British Institute of Cleaning Science.

"This project has been invaluable," said Building Cleaning Manager, Drew Oxley.

"All the women have stressed how the training increased their confidence and skills. It's made a significant difference to overall efficiencies and to the productivity of my staff."

Another business to have benefited is the Trafford Centre, a major shopping mall in Manchester.

"The programme enabled us to train more staff in a shorter space of time," said Amy Whittaker, Human Resources Officer.

"The women feel their knowledge has been validated and were rewarded with certification - a transferable asset.

"They've been so positive about the training and this is reflected in the standards they deliver at work every day."

Some former trainees are now helping deliver the W&W project to colleagues, others are working towards a higher paid job and there are those who simply want to add new skills to their CVs.

Whatever the goal, Women and Work can give them a helping hand on to the first rung of the ladder and in the process, help create a more motivated and loyal workforce.

If you run a cleaning business and are interested in finding out about W&W, please contact Carol Shillito by email at cshillito@assetskills.org or phone 07769 713 221.