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Flood school enables contractors to boost earnings
Contractors and restorers can increase sales by gaining an internationally-recognised qualification in dealing with water damage, according to the National Flood School. Experts from the National Flood School run a three-day Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) ‘water restoration technician’.
At the end of the programme, successful students gain the IICRC’s ‘water restoration technician’ qualification - evidence of extensive specialised knowledge that will help builders, contractors and restorers bring in more business restoring water-damaged properties.
The course focuses on the theory behind the practice, concentrating largely on psychrometry - the ‘science of drying’.
Lectures, discussions and video are used to cover topics such as the latest equipment, safety, water extraction procedures, structural drying, chemicals and dealing with sewage. Attendees will also learn everything they need to start dealing with water damage claims.
Chris Netherton, managing director of the National Flood School, said: “Water damage costs the insurance industry billions of pounds, and the volume of claims means there is high demand for contractors with the right skills. Using a restorer with an internationally-recognised IICRC water restoration technician qualification saves the industry money because properties are dried out more quickly and effectively and it helps improve customer service. That means enrolling on an IICRC water restoration course at the National Flood School is an opportunity for contractors to significantly increase their income.”
Videos about the National Flood School can be seen on YouTube: www.youtube.com/nationalfloodschool.
Activeion scoops green excellence award
Activeion technology has gained another hospitality industry award, this time at HOST, Milan’s international hospitality trade show. The award for the most sustainable product - ‘green excellence’ - was won by Activeion’s ionator EXP.
The Activeion ionator EXP ionised water cleaning technology is already being used in many hotel and restaurant kitchens and food preparation areas in the UK, Europe and around the world, and has been granted both an HACCP certificate as a tool recommended for use in food facilities as part of a food hygiene programme and NSF registration. A convenient, versatile cleaning device that uses simple, smart, sustainable technology to convert tap water temporarily into ionised water - an effective dirt-lifting agent - the ionator EXP does not require a chemical-related health warning label. When used as directed, the ionator EXP kills most pathogens found on kitchen, food and beverage preparation, processing and service work surfaces.
André G. Krell, general manager of Activeion Europe, said: “The Green Excellence award win reinforces Activeion’s strong position in the overall Italian market, as well as the important HoReCa sector. Most of our HoReCa clients are attracted to the ionator’s cleaning efficiency on the various surfaces common to the industry - from stainless steel and glass, to wood, ceramics and plastics. Gruppo Zernike, an Activeion distributor in Italy and long-time member of Digrim, handles HoReCa distribution and has been solving cleaning problems for many companies in Italy - one of which is reducing the amount of dangerous bacteria in hotel, restaurant and café workspaces. This is something that the ionator can handle uniquely without the use of chemicals.”
www.activeion.co.uk
OCS shines in Team Clean Challenge Awards
Two OCS cleaning teams have achieved sparkling results in this year’s Asset Skills Team Clean Challenge Awards. After a raft of fiercely contested regional heats and the competition final in Birmingham, the OCS team at Chepstow Hospital scooped second place, while the company’s team at Aegon in Edinburgh achieved third place. Bill Ochs from Aegon, Edinburgh, was also awarded best supervisor for Scotland.
The teams were recognised for their skills and technical knowledge at the recent annual awards ceremony in Glasgow. This is the third year of the Team Clean Challenge, a high profile annual competition created by Asset Skills to raise the profile and professionalism of the cleaning industry.
OCS cleaning director, Paul Thrupp, said: “The staff have been a credit to our business and have placed us firmly amongst the industry’s highest performers. It’s a true demonstration of the quality service we aim to deliver to our customers.”
Kath Collins, OCS contract manager at Chepstow Hospital, said: “I’ve worked in cleaning for a number of years and this was a fresh and challenging experience. Our team all agreed that the competition took us out of our comfort zone and helped us identify areas for future professional development.”
Fran Murray, manager of the team at Aegon in Edinburgh, said: “I’ve always emphasised that cleaning is a skilled profession and this reinforced the message to our staff. Everyone came away with added confidence.”
Competitors in the Asset Skills Team Clean Challenge were required to demonstrate the range of skills which they use as professional cleaners in a variety of scenarios and within a given time allocation.
Cleaning managers completed a range of tasks, including site surveys and estimates, job costs and risk assessments, briefings and quality checks, as well as prioritising and allocating work. Cleaning operatives were judged on their ability to comply with health and safety, respond to change and undertake work using appropriate techniques and skills.
www.ocs.co.uk
Scaling dizzy heights for charity
Cleaning company MD James Blackhurst raised more than £8000 for charity by scaling the challenging Mount Kilimanjaro - and achieved a personal ambition at the same time. Blackhurst, managing director of Jigsaw Cleaning Systems, reached the Uhuru Peak following an exhausting 11-day trek to provide much-needed support for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Supported on the climb by friend Chris Swarbrick, he and a trek team of 30 people successfully climbed the challenging 19,341ft mountain summit to raise more than £250,000 in total.
Blackhurst said: “This was without doubt the hardest challenge I have ever taken up in terms of both physical and mental exertion. The pressure of the altitude was far worse than I had expected but it was worth every second just to see the spectacular views. I’m very thankful for the money raised which made all the struggles worthwhile. We are delighted to support such a great cause in the Motor Neurone Disease Association, something I have a strong connection with and an organisation I have always wanted to help. I’m proud to be able to help them and I’m sure they will put the money to good use fighting this debilitating and devastating disease.”
Mount Kilimanjaro, a dormant volcano in Tanzania, is the highest mountain in Africa and although a popular trekking destination, the altitude, low temperature, and occasional high winds make it a demanding trek.
Donations can still be made by visiting: www.justgiving.com/James-Blackhurst9.
Event celebrates training for Welsh built environment
Deputy minister for skills, Jeff Cuthbert AM, recently attended an event to celebrate a training and apprenticeship programme for the built environment. The programme, run by Asset Skills, has changed the training landscape by delivering new apprenticeships and qualifications to hundreds of staff in facilities management, cleaning, property, planning and housing.
The event was held on 23 November at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff. It marked training offered as part of the Sector Priorities Fund Pilot (SPFP) programme, funded by the Welsh Government with additional support from the European Social Fund (ESF).
“The demand for this programme has been massive with Welsh employers over-subscribing the original candidate target fourfold in some qualifications,” said Steven Proudfoot, chief operating officer at Asset Skills, the Sector Skills Council for the above industries. “The programme brought new qualifications to Wales that were previously unavailable. We have been able to put 230 candidates through courses - it’s had a really positive effect on these industries throughout a very difficult time.”
Asset Skills will also be launching its UK Academy for Wales following its success in England. The UK Academy is a membership organisation that helps ease the training process for employers in business services, housing and property in England and Scotland.
“By bringing our academy programme to Wales, we hope to extend the advantages of the SPF training programme even further afield,” said Steven Proudfoot.
www.assetskills.org
Hospital ship-shape
Mercy Ships, the international charity that provides free medical care and humanitarian aid to some of the world’s poorest people, has received a donation of cleaning and water waste treatment products from Hepburn Bio Care. Mercy Ships runs the world’s largest charity hospital ship, the Africa Mercy, which is currently in field service in Sierra Leone.
Hepburn Bio Care produces environmentally friendly cleaning materials which can be used on areas of the vessel from deck to interiors, eliminating odours, reducing solids, preventing viral outbreaks and minimising the impact of overboard chemical and waste discharge while helping to create a safer working environment on board. The group has been supplying products to Mercy Ships free of charge since 2009 and has recently donated a new round of cleaning products, including bottles and tops.
The Africa Mercy has been converted from a Danish rail ferry to a state-of-the-art hospital ship, with six operating theatres, X-ray facilities and CT scanner, a pharmacy and a laboratory. There is capacity for 78 in-patients with four wards and a small intensive care unit as well as housing up to 450 volunteers. It is staffed by an international crew of dedicated volunteers from over 40 nations ranging from seamen, engineers, surgeons, doctors and nurses who give up their time to help save the lives of others.
Margaret Hepburn, CEO of Hepburn Bio Care, said: “We are proud to continue to donate to the charity Mercy Ships and hope that these products will help it continue its good work in West Africa. I am thrilled that we are able to support such a worthy cause.”
Judy Polkinhorn, executive director of Mercy Ships UK, said: “We are grateful for the continuing generosity of Hepburn Bio Care. Its donations have helped Mercy Ships continue to provide a high quality hospital environment, with the satisfaction of knowing materials and rooms are cleaned with products that are low in toxicity and are safer to use than traditional chemicals. Kind donations such as these are vital in ensuring Mercy Ships can continue to help and provide care to those who have little or no access to surgical and medical help.”
Over the last 30 years, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 70 countries providing services valued at £530 million and impacting about 2.9million people. The international charity has treated more than 520,000 people in village medical and dental clinics, performed more than 56,000 surgeries and completed more than 1000 community development projects focusing on water and sanitation, education, infrastructure development and agriculture.
www.hepburnbiocare.com
