The following news item is reproduced from the BICS web site...........
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www.purplepassport.comPassport Scheme for the Cleaning Industry Launched! : 10/4/2005
The long awaited skills passport scheme for the UK cleaning industry was launched at the at the British Cleaning Industry Conference in Solihull on 22nd September 2005.
Called The Pathway Card, an developed on behalf of the industry jointly by Asset Skills, BCC, BICSc and CSSA and in partnership with Purple Passport Limited, the card will 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 & fitness for work.
The Pathway Card is designed to signpost the career journey within the cleaning industry, and for employers to encourage personal development amongst their employees.
It will help solve the problems of uneven induction across the sector and the problems faced with staff working in remote teams needing to represent the companies whose premises they are cleaning. The industry’s image and people’s confidence in the service it provides will also improve. Our stated aim is to improve the image & reputation of the cleaning industry.
The Pathway Card is an electronic CV for cleaners. Unlike managers, cleaners are less likely to use a CV or have the facility to produce one, and this card effectively does it for them. The Pathway Card includes all the information concerning an employee’s records of training (both in-house and certificated) and details of past employment and thus, it is an ideal career tracking too which identifies & celebrates the competence & professionalism of the individual..
Employers will als be able to track an employee’s previous training and use the inbuilt toolkit to decide on & map out the most appropriate training needed for that individual.
With a structured induction programme for employers to measure themselves against and gain accreditation for best practice, the aim is to provide guidance on each stage of work preparation. The actual skills passport will provide an individual record with:
· Proof of identity and entitlement to work
· Induction training undertaken
· Employment history
· Training undertaken and skills gained as well as equipment used
· Certificates and qualifications achieved
· A personal career development plan
· Skills and qualifications pathways and career progression
The electronic record can be input by the individual, his or her employer or anyone else who is authorised to do so. The individual cardholder retains complete control of what's on the card. Verification of the records is carried out by approved verifiers which can be read (with the permission of the cardholder) by employers when taking on new staff.
What’s next? For further information please check out the Pathway Card website on