John,
You have the added problem of finding someone then waiting 6 weeks for the licence to come through and then as a lot have found out they have had past convictions and have been refused a licence. As many have found out in your area when they have taken on folk from the job centre, one tip one company is now requesting that the w/c must possess a licence. But this is wrong as they are using his insurance and not employee ins.
As you know or not there is a blizt going on in Paisley with unlicensed window cleaners and some guys have been questioned about their staff whilst their licence is being processed.
One for you guys in Renfrewshire to push the council to give a temp licence like Aberdeen to avoid this situation. Best folk I have found are students.
Doug