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Cleaning Operations Sector

The Cleaning Services industry employs approximately 117,000 workers in 7,580 enterprises and the workforce is expected to increase at an annual rate of 2.5%, mainly with casual and part-time workers.

Demand for cleaning services is driven to a large extent by trends in commercial construction activity and outsourcing of cleaning services by governments and businesses focussing on their core activities and looking for operational cost efficiencies. In addition there is a rise in demand for domestic cleaning from high and dual income households and older people with disposable income seeking these services. The movement from government employed cleaners to private sector employed cleaners benefits the industry, particularly in the healthcare and education areas. Also the shift towards multi-building services, incorporating catering, cleaning, security, pest management and maintenance within a single supply contract will increasingly favour larger enterprises but also encourages medium sized employers to expand their range of services.

Cleaning operations

The cleaning operations qualifications and units of competency are cross-industry standards that apply to cleaning operations in all industry sectors.  Cleaning Operations qualifications and units of competency were revised and incorporated into the CPP07 Training Package in 2011.  The redeveloped qualifications took into account a number of long-standing issues which affect the content, take-up and delivery modes for the workforce. These issues include:

  • recognition of language, literacy and numeracy issues that are experienced by many within the workforce
  • the high level of mobility of the workforce and the fact that a large proportion of the workforce are employed casually
  • the requirement for many workers to perform effectively without direct and constant workplace supervision
  • the need for a clear focus on workplace health and safety given the nature of the work environment.

Key issues affecting the sector were also addressed including skill shortages, 'green' issues and competitive pressures.  In addition, workplace changes were also considered including:

  • need for supervisors with skills across a broad range of areas, including providing input to the quotation process, coaching and mentoring, fostering teamwork, effectively planning the work, time management, industrial relations issues and customer management
  • use of microfibre and other low-water cleaning systems
  • use of steam cleaning, particularly for its benefits in sanitising surfaces
  • growing importance of ‘green’ and other environmentally sustainable practices, such as the use of fewer chemicals and lower impact chemicals along with reducing the use of water
  • understanding and applying correct cleaning techniques to newer technology surfaces
  • importance of infection control, in all industry settings not just health
  • ability of cleaners to work on their own and maintain quality
  • application of personal safety practices in the workplace
  • application of safe work practices, including new restrictions on working at heights
  • ability to access skills for specialist cleaning areas, such as air conditioning, cleaning and waste management.

Carpet cleaning

The carpet cleaning sector is largely composed of micro and small enterprises with a high representation of owner-operators. Skill development is vital in order to professionalise the industry and attract new entrants to the workforce. The recent review of carpet cleaning qualifications and units of competency identified a number of key issues affecting the sector including skill shortages and the ability to attract and retain staff, ‘green’ issues, competitive pressures and the need to build professionalism within the sector.  In addition the following skill development issues were also identified:

  • the importance of language, literacy and numeracy skills, and the need to properly reflect them in units of competency
  • use of ‘encapsulation’ and other low-water cleaning systems
  • growing importance of ‘green’ and other environmentally sustainable practices, such as use of fewer chemicals and lower impact chemicals
  • carpet cleaning diagnosis process, and determining the correct strategy or technique to be employed
  • ability of carpet cleaners to work on their own and maintain quality
  • application of safety practices in the workplace
  • application of high level customer service and communication skills
  • need to more fully reflect the range of skills in the restoration process, including the use of new techniques such as ‘blue lights’, thermal imaging and better drying techniques
  • understanding basic construction processes and the use of hand tools in the restoration process
  • need for people working as owner-operators to have technical skills in carpet cleaning, but also skills in running a small business.