Home > News > October 2005 > 04-Oct-2005

Skills passport for cleaning industry launched

A skills passport scheme for the UK cleaning industry was introduced at the recent British Cleaning Industry Conference in Solihull.

The Pathway Card is designed to allow those employed in the industry to record their skills, qualifications and experience onto an electronic card, and employers to view this information online to verify competence and fitness for work.

The Pathway Card has been developed on behalf of the industry by sector skills council Asset Skills in partnership with industry bodies BICSc and CSSA, and supported by the British Cleaning Council (BCC).

Richard Beamish of Asset Skills said: "The Pathway Card effectively creates a portable online CV for cleaners. The system records not just qualifications and formal training, but also experience, which represents fitness and competence to work.

"The Pathway Card is based upon a best practice induction framework that provides common standards of initial training for new entrants."

Martyn Vesey of the CSSA said: "This card will revolutionise the way that the cleaning industry operates. We hope that it will encourage cleaners to make a record of their achievements, whether it is through in-house training or a recognised accreditation such as NVQ (National Vocational Qualifications) or BICSc. This is an exciting development for our industry and for those wishing to pursue cleaning as a career."

Judith West, Chairman of the BCC, said: "The Pathway card has not been designed to trip up workers but to protect them and provide a tool for them to record their achievements and to enhance their career opportunities. Many cleaners don't even have a CV, so this will be an excellent way for them and their employers to access their records.

"Similarly, companies will now be able to check cleaners' credentials while avoiding the pitfalls concerned with illegal staff including increased liability on health & safety and confidentiality."

Asset Skills said many major public and private employers, professional bodies and trade associations have already given commitment to taking the idea forward, and a number of employers are piloting the scheme from September.

The Pathway Card is powered by Purple Passports, who have already implemented skills passport schemes for the food, construction and hospitality industries.

External link

To find out more about the Pathway Card in action, visit: www.pathwaycard.co.uk

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