Upskilling and inspiring cleaners at Royal Liverpool University Hospital

In response to a comprehensive trust-wide skills audit, Hugh Baird College collaborated with the Royal Liverpool University Hospital to address a significant training gap. The audit identified cleaning staff who lacked formal qualifications or specific technical knowledge in essential areas such as infection control and sustainable cleaning practices.

To bridge this gap, the college co-developed a bespoke Level 1 cleaning and hygiene programme designed to professionalise the workforce and improve service standards across the Trust. The 13-week programme was delivered directly on-site at the hospital, with scheduling designed to align seamlessly with the staff's existing shift patterns. The curriculum focused on critical industry competencies, including safe working practices in the facilities sector, specifically the correct use of chemicals and manual handling, and broader health and safety in the workplace. Learners also explored the importance of professional communication and teamwork within a healthcare setting. A major component of the training focused on sustainability, teaching staff how reducing resource wastage benefits the organisation and providing practical ways to work in an environmentally friendly manner. The impact on the initial pilot cohort learners, many of whom had no prior formal qualifications, has been transformative.

All participants successfully completed the programme, reporting a significant increase in their professional confidence and a better understanding of how to adopt safe and sustainable practices in their daily routines. The programme has also served as a vital career springboard; 15 learners have already progressed to a Level 2 apprenticeship, with many now aspiring to become supervisors or team leaders. For others, the course has provided the foundational skills and confidence to pursue future roles as healthcare assistants, targeting another critical skills shortage area within the NHS.

Following the success of this pilot and the positive feedback from learners, the trust is currently seeking final approval to make the Level 1 programme mandatory for all cleaning staff. This move aims to ensure a high, uniform standard of hygiene and safety while supporting the trust’s long-term workforce development and sustainability targets.