Jarvis takes the lead on cleaning apprenticeship scheme

18 March 2010

Jarvis, Keir, Ecovert, G4S and Interserve have signed up to collaborate in a new scheme offering cleaning apprenticeships to 50 young people across the country.

The programme is being run by the training arm of FM and support services company Jarvis, which has funding for 50 young people aged 16 to 18 years on the Cleaning and Support Services Apprenticeship. Other employers who have signed up along with Jarvis to offer work placements and jobs as part of the project include Keir, Ecovert, G4S and Interserve.
Jarvis will employ the apprentices for the period of the programme which will be delivered in 22 weeks, and the host employer will need to provide minimum of 16 hours work each week. Jarvis will cover all employment costs, other than PPE and on-site supervision. Jarvis will deliver all the training on site and will offer all the apprentices a completion bonus as an incentive to stay on programme.
Employers are being sought all over England but particularly in - Sunderland, Liverpool, Sheffield, Oldham, Birmingham and London, where pilots are already planned. There is flexibility on other locations – particularly if an employer can offer a number of places.
Employers may be involved in the recruitment of the apprenticeship if they wish and will be asked to provide a commitment to continue the young person’s employment (providing they are suitable) after the 22 week period has been completed. This will potentially be a rolling programme with the first pilot starting in April. Employers can indicate interest for future phases should they wish.
Asset Skills the Sector Skills Council for FM and cleaning, is supporting this pilot for collaborative employer working and is looking at such innovative models as part of plans for a “virtual skills academy” for FM. It is keen to hear from employers interested in progressing the Jarvis scheme and the idea of a virtual skills academy.
Asset Skills is calling on employers to get involved to ensure the success of the first phase, which starts in April. Karen Waterlow, Facilities Management and Cleaning Specialist at Asset Skills said, “This is really good news for young people especially at a time of high unemployment. The new Cleaning and Support Services Apprenticeship is an excellent first step in to a range of rewarding careers in the cleaning and FM industries. It is encouraging to see employers collaborating on skills and we would urge others who can offer an apprentice the chance of good quality work experience and a job at the end of it to get involved.”
For more information contact Karen Waterlow by emailing kwaterlow@assetskills.org