In times of economic uncertainty, it’s all too tempting to cut training and development budgets. In truth, it’s during these periods of difficulty that the true value of robust, ongoing training can come to the fore.
Appropriate training can increase staff motivation and retention, and will result in the development of new competencies and increased efficiency, all of which have a positive impact on an organisation’s competitiveness and ability to adapt to changing market conditions.
In collaboration with BICSc, The University of Northampton has launched two new distance-learning qualifications for employees of organisations in the cleaning and infection control industries. The qualifications have been designed to enhance an employee’s skill set with competencies that improve efficiency in the workplace, whilst also increasing their understanding of vital issues including health and safety and new government legislation.
The ‘Certificate in Cleaning Enterprise and Law’ and ‘Certificate in Infection Control’ will run from September 2009. They provide individuals who already hold a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in cleaning-sector related subjects with a route into higher education.
Louise Maxwell, lecturer in applied sciences at The University of Northampton, explained: “The cleaning industry sector employs over 450,000 people in around 32,000 companies. In a recent industry report by the Sector Skills Council for the cleaning industry, Asset Skills identified that ‘a third of all companies have skills gaps within the elementary occupations. Additionally, over a quarter of all companies recognise a skills gap within their managers’ (Asset Skills 2008). The certificates have been developed in response to experiential knowledge from managers in practice, in such sectors as the National Health Service and the major cleaning sector companies, with a view to ensuring that the certificates develop the necessary skills and knowledge which are an effective representation of industry needs.”
MRSA, E.coli and Clostridium difficile are frequently in the news and an in depth knowledge of their implications for cleaning and infection control procedures is crucial. As a consequence stringent regulations in healthcare, food and other industries are placing increasing demands on cleaning and hygiene related activities.
The introduction of new legal requirements on 1 April 2009 means that the NHS and healthcare providers must meet new registration requirements aimed to ensure that patients, workers and others are protected against the identifiable risks of acquiring a healthcare-associated infection. Training and education in infection control principles are central to the new requirements, which are legally enforceable by the new healthcare regulator, the Care Quality Commission.
The Certificate in Infection Control is particularly suited to meet the needs of healthcare workers and internal and external contractors. The certificate provides the underpinning knowledge staff need to fully understand the reasons why particular infection control strategies and conventions need to be followed to ensure compliance with the registration requirements and assure patient safety.
Since 2006 employers have been encouraged to invest in skills and qualifications for their employees through the government funded employer engagement project Train to Gain. The new university certificates provide a chance to build on this initiative and offer an opportunity to progress individual study to level 4/5 with short, accessible qualifications at higher education level.
The university certificates operate on a modular credit based system and suitable candidates can try an individual module, study for a certificate or work towards a full foundation degree and/or use the credits gained towards study for other qualifications. Study is completed by distance learning, enabling candidates to study at a time and location most suitable to individual circumstances. Each certificate can be completed on a one year, part time study basis.
For more information, contact Louise Maxwell by calling 01604 892380 or Email: [email protected]. Alternatively, contact Suzanne Moen at BICSc by calling 01604 678710 or Email: [email protected].