Overcoming the Challenges of Training Cleaning Staff

Training cleaning staff has always posed unique challenges. Many operatives work multiple jobs, have irregular shifts, and may be spread across different locations, making it difficult to ensure consistent training.

Language can also present challenges, as often a cleaning operatives first language isn’t English, so trying to make sure all operatives are trained to the same high level can take huge amounts of time both in admin and out on site.

A recent survey revealed that 39% of cleaning operatives expressed limited interest in learning new skills. Several issues were highlighted in the survey, including low literacy, limited education, minimal digital skills, and a lack of confidence in their abilities and insufficient access to training. These factors often result in low motivation to pursue training or develop new skills.

Even those willing to learn often face barriers such as the inconvenience of traveling to training centers, little confidence in the language, fear of failure, or anxiety about being tested.

One of the other possible reasons for cleaning operative’s resistance to learning new skills, is that staff can often have negative opinions or views on training.  They may fear they will be asked to do more tasks or work harder in less time and therefore there is a lack of confidence and trust.

Other practical issues, like insufficient resources or the cost of travel to training locations, further discourage attendance.

Using a platform like MyTraining is a great way to overcome those barriers – bite sized online training videos that take no more than 4 minutes every week and can be viewed on any device, making it easy for every operative to complete their training when it’s most convenient – on the commute to work, whilst making a cup of tea or in the cleaning cupboard!

Additionally, the ability to switch the platform and training materials to different languages makes it much easier for operatives whose first language is not English to follow along.

Interested in learning more? Contact the team today to see how MyTraining can simplify the process.