Cleaning and Environmental Services (England)

Framework status: Archived » Go to current (latest) issue of this framework

Framework details

Framework ID: FR01086
Issue number: 4
Issued: 02 November 2011

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Cleaning and Environmental Services (England)
(PDF document 1.86 MB)

Issued by
Asset Skills

Contact name: David Bell
Telephone number: 01604 824105
Please download the framework for email contact information.

Purpose

Cleaning professionals make a difference to all our lives, although the work often goes 'unseen.'  Cleaners ensure that the places we work in and the public places we use are attractive, safe and hygienic.  In hospitals cleaning staff are at the forefront of controlling the spread of infection, and in many walks of life cleaners ensure a hazard free environment by   ensuring  it is safe and clean for the general public.

 

The framework has two pathways, Cleaning and Local Environmental Services.  Cleaning covers the following job roles: building interiors  cleaner, hygiene operative, facilities operative,specialist  cleaning operative, window cleaner and food premises cleaner. Apprentices could work in a variety of settings such as hospitals,schools, factories, state of the art offices and shopping centres.      Local Environmental Services covers the job roles of neighbourhood  services assistant or operative.  The role  involves a combination of  cleaning and horticultural skills, such as hard and soft landscaping and grounds maintenance.  Apprentices following this pathway would normally work for local authorities and housing associations in settings such as parks,  cemeteries and crematoria, public rights of way,  countryside recreation sites and  open  spaces around people's homes and council buildings.   

 

Almost 1 in 27 of the working population is in the cleaning sector. The vast majority of companies within the sector are small in size and employ 10 or fewer people.  However, 50% of all employees within the sector work in organisations of 200 people or more.   Asset Skills research indicates that a high proportion of companies are looking to grow over the next 3 years and  27% of companies plan to move into new areas of activity. 

Challenges faced by Cleaning companies include:

  • attracting staff into the job - the poor perception of the sector means that it is often difficult to attract skilled people into the profession. 
  • shortage of skilled workers - 72% of the the workforce have no qualifications
  • skills gaps in management & leadership, green issues,  technical, literacy and numeracy skills
  • keeping up with frequently changing legislation
  • under pressure to continue to provide its clients with a high level of service at a lower cost.

Future competencies required by the sector include:

  • Management and leadership
  • Communication Skills
  • English for speakers of Other Languages ( ESOL).
  • Knowledge and awareness of 'green' products
  • Employability skills for those entering elementary job roles.
  • Technical knowledge

 

Employers have been involved with the design of the qualifications in this framework which will develop the critical skills required within the sector and the framework has also been updated to meet the requirements of the new Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for England. 

 

The framework will also contribute to meeting the wider skills priorities for England by:

  • providing flexible access to a high quality level 2 programme which acts as an alternative to GCSEs for those who prefer this style of learning
  • incorporating skills to improve the general literacy, numeracy in England
  • using technical and competence qualification, valued by employers, to help their confidence and creativity, improving their social and working lives
  • developing apprentice's employability skills, making them more attractive to all employers whichever career they choose
  • providing a career pathway into jobs and training

 

Download framework

Cleaning and Environmental Services (England)
(PDF document 1.86 MB)