CrestClean instigates BICS NZ base by establishing Master Cleaners Training Institute

Dunedin-based CrestClean has established a training organisation that it says will provide new training skills to New Zealand cleaners. The CrestClean press release said that the initiative was in response to ‘the collapse of the Building Service Contractors Industry Training Organisation (BSCITO)’. However, Building Service Contractors of New Zealand’s Bob King has told INCLEAN that […]
Master Cleaners Training Institute
Adam Hodge, MCTI CEO

Dunedin-based CrestClean has established a training organisation that it says will provide new training skills to New Zealand cleaners. The CrestClean press release said that the initiative was in response to ‘the collapse of the Building Service Contractors Industry Training Organisation (BSCITO)’.

However, Building Service Contractors of New Zealand’s Bob King has told INCLEAN that the BSCITO is “very much alive. The Government has told ITOs (Industry Training Organisations) there are too many ie. some 36 and it wants to reduce that number down to six.

“At present there is a big move for ITOs to merge with each other on an amicable basis, or shortly the Government will dictate who is to merge with whom.

“Rather than to be given a bad partner we have sought out an ITO that is similar to ours and we are merging into a single unit from 1 January 2013.”

King pointed out that such an initiative will give the BSCITO a much wider base and provide it with the administrative resources from which to expand.

MCTI accredited with UK’s BICS

“We are excited to announce the launch of the Master Cleaners Training Institute (MCTI) that will become an Accredited Training Organisation with the British Institute of Cleaning Services (BICS).

“”n partnership with BICS, the institute will provide accredited training programs in the Professional Cleaners Skills Suite, that result in cleaners being trained to an Accredited Industry standard,” said Grant McLauchlan, CrestClean managing director.

CrestClean says it has experienced significant growth in people seeking out formal industry training, as they enter the commercial cleaning and hygiene sector as a career path to achieving both business and personal goals.

‘Long gone are the days of many part time employees using the cleaning industry as a stop gap between other jobs, customers these days demand and expect professional service providers and this move will support that demand,’ the company noted.

CrestClean has been working on the new Master Cleaners Training Institute concept for the last six months, which has proven very timely with the pending loss of the dedicated cleaning ITO.  that has experienced significant decline in trainee numbers under its current management.

“We have grasped the opportunity to step in and provide an acclaimed and internationally recognised training program for the commercial cleaning industry,” explained McLauchlan.

“Moving forward, and where we can be of great benefit to other organisations, we will be in a position to offer a customised training program, which can be based around their workplace, tailored to suit all their business requirements, resulting in staff that are competent in the necessary core skills, Health & Safety & best practice process and procedures.

“With over 30,000 commercial cleaners across New Zealand, this drive to raise the standards and status of the industry has got to be good news for both New Zealand employees and the businesses that employ them.

“There is no doubt that an investment in training builds not only confidence, but also competence in people. That is why CrestClean has invested heavily in training its people which has led to the explosive growth in our business.

“Being associated with the BICS also supports CrestClean’s international business expansion strategy, that has seen our operations in India and South East Asia rapidly expanding to meet client demand for cleaners that have been properly trained. Now New Zealand cleaners have that opportunity,” McLauchlan concluded.

NZ government’s ITO framework

Industry Training Organisations (ITOs) are recognised by the New Zealand government’s Associate Minister of Education (Tertiary Education) under the Industry Training Act 1992.

They are established by particular industries and are responsible for setting national skill standards for their industry; providing information and advice to trainees and their employers; arranging for the delivery of on and off-job training (including developing training packages for employers); arranging for the assessment of trainees; and arranging the monitoring of quality training.

It’s understood the MCTI has not yet assessed its program content against ITO material but believes that BICS’ international qualification would deliver appropriate quality content.

www.mastercleaners.org.nz

www.bscito.org.nz/cleaning.aspx

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