'Clean Break' for Northern Ireland laundry industry
20 Jun '09
1 min read
Laundries in Northern Ireland will soon be able to train their staff using employer-designed National Vocational Qualifications, thanks to a new initiative from Skillfast-UK, the Sector Skills Council for fashion and textiles.
Skillfast-UK has secured funds from the Department of Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland to run an initiative called “Clean Break”. This will enable Northern Ireland-based laundry employers to train their staff, using recognised NVQs in laundry operations and laundry service support, at no cost.
Skillfast-UK sought the funding in recognition of the fact that there was no financial help for employers in Northern Ireland to qualify their staff. The training will be carried out by laundry specialist Tarheel Fabricare Systems.
Grainne McGowan, Skillfast-UK's Northern Ireland Country Manager, explains, “Nearly 1,000 learners are now registered on the laundry NVQs in England and Scotland, but, until now, the training wasn't available in Northern Ireland. We're delighted that the government in NI has agreed to provide funds for employees to develop their skills using recognised qualifications that really work for business.”