REGULAR
An essential career
David Garcia, Chair of the British Cleaning Council (BCC), says it’s time to think again about careers in essential industries.
While we at the BCC have been working to highlight careers in the cleaning sector, two allied industries which also work to keep people safe and protect the environment have launched initiatives to boost recruitment.
Nearly 40% of the UK’s pest management workforce is expected to retire within the next decade, at precisely the same time as demand for professional pest management services continues to grow, says BCC member the British Pest Control Association (BPCA). With more than 7,000 UK technicians and demand for professional services rising, attracting new talent is increasingly important.
Earlier this year, the BPCA launched a campaign designed to encourage people from a wide range of backgrounds to explore pest management, centred around a new website.
Many people don’t realise what a career in pest management offers. Pest control is a skilled and essential profession which protects public health, the food supply chain, property and the environment. The career suits those who enjoy practical problem-solving, helping customers, working independently and experiencing variety, rather than following the same routine every day.
The BPCA website brings this proposition to life through honest guidance and stories from people already working in the industry. It shows that pest management can welcome school leavers, graduates, former Armed Forces personnel, career changers and aspiring business owners.
The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) is confronting a similar perception problem through Think Again, a campaign led by CIWM President Vicki Hughes, featured on their website.
For many people, the word ‘waste’ still brings to mind little more than bins and collections. Behind that image, however, is a £24bn sector employing 143,000 people and powering sustainability, clean energy, logistics, technology and the circular economy.
The workforce is aging; nearly 12% of staff are over 60, while only 5% are aged 16-24, according to research, leading to what has been called a severe ‘demographic crunch’. Over the next decade, the sector is expected to need 68,000 additional people in fields including
24 | TOMORROW'S CLEANING
reuse, repair, remanufacturing, regulation, data, logistics, engineering and leadership.
Most people are unaware of the breadth of these careers. Research shows perceptions improve quickly when prospective candidates see real roles, salaries and progression pathways.
The campaign encourages the sector to describe its opportunities confidently. It provides tailored guidance for school leavers, graduates and career returners, while asking employers to sign a pledge committing them to practical action. It also highlights careers that allow people to use technology, tackle climate change, influence behaviour and protect valuable resources.
The cleaning and hygiene sector faces similar issues with an ageing workforce and many staff due to retire, opening up lots of job opportunities. Since Brexit, our industry has struggled to recruit and fill the vacancies we have.
The BCC is seeking to address this through the UK Cleaning Career Development Zone website, which highlights the enormous variety of frontline, technical, supervisory, management and support roles within cleaning and hygiene, as well as featuring training courses and information.
Together the cleaning, hygiene and waste sector is worth nearly £72bn to the economy and we play an essential role in protecting public health and the environment and supporting employment and the economy, so it is concerning that major parts of the sector are facing similar kinds of workforce challenges.
Government should recognise the shared pressures facing these essential industries, and do much more to support careers promotion, skills and recruitment. Ensuring key sectors like these have the people they need must become a priority going forward. Our future workforce deserves much more attention from policymakers.
www.britishcleaningcouncil.org x.com/TomoCleaning
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