C&M INDUSTRY NEWS
Announcing the CSSA’s 2021 Innovation Showcase THE Cleaning Support Services Association’s
innovations in terms of their impact and in our
(CSSA) 2021 Innovation Showcase celebrates
experience even something small can have a
the cleaning industry’s most innovative
very big impact.” Lorcan Mekitarian, chairman of the CHSA,
products, services and initiatives. The Innovation Showcase is again backed by the
said: “The CSSA’s Innovation Showcase is a
Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association
superb way to celebrate some of the best ideas being generated in the industry and so
(CHSA), which is sponsoring the event. Businesses and organisations operating
2020 and can be applicable to any area of the
we are delighted to back this initiative again.
throughout the cleaning industry are invited
cleaning industry. The deadline for entries is
Our members continually innovate, helping
to enter their innovative products, services
31 December 2020. This year the Innovation
their customers address some of the big issues
and initiatives. An ‘Innovators Pitch’ panel
Showcase has an entry fee of £250, which is
facing the sector, including environmental
of industry experts and representatives will
refundable to those entries that do not proceed
challenges, as evidenced by the number of
review and interview the entrants and select
to the three day Innovation Showcase.
our members amongst those who participated
those to be exhibited at the Innovation
Paul Ashton, chairman of the CSSA
in previous CSSA Innovation Showcases. We
Showcase itself, taking place at the London
Innovation & Technology Executive, said:
are looking forward to seeing the entries
Cleaning Show next year.
“The Showcase celebrates innovation in the
and putting them through their paces at the
widest sense, whether it is a new method, idea,
Innovators Pitch!”
approach, or product. We’ll be judging the
WWW.CSSA-UK.CO.UK
To be eligible the product, service or initiative must have been launched since the 1 January
Rochdale Council wins national cleaning competition ROCHDALE Borough Council has won a national
placement one day per week over a six-month
cleaning role…staff development to existing
competition organised by the Association of
period. Redwood students aged between 16
cleaning operatives whilst giving a really
Building Cleaning Direct Service Providers (ABCD)
and 19 years old are eligible to take part in the
good opportunity for new entrants to the
to promote good practice in local authority
project, which takes them on a journey towards
cleaning industry. The Nottingham entry is
cleaning services. Nottinghamshire County
sustainable paid employment. The course
also really good and the fantastic work from
Council came second in the ABCD’s Initiatives
develops their skills and employability through
this team has ensured that the transport hub
Competition 2020, which was supported by the
school-based learning, work-room activities,
remains safe for all users and key workers to
British Cleaning Council.
accreditation, and work placements.
confidently use and safely attend their place
ABCD is the organisation for local government
ABCD chair, Kim Phillips of Rotherham
of work during the pandemic.”
cleaning managers but also has a number of
Borough Council, and vice chair, Jacky
Peter Gurney, facilities manager catering
suppliers and trainers from the industry as
Hammett of Shropshire Council, judged
and cleaning, at Rochdale Borough Council,
members. It is also a member of the BCC.
the competition. In a joint statement, they
said: “On behalf of the cleaning/caretaking
said: “We are pleased to be able to properly
facilities management service at Rochdale
Borough Council’s facilities management
acknowledge and celebrate all the great
Council, we are delighted to have been
cleaning service.
work being carried out by local councils in
chosen as the winner of the ABCD’s Initiatives
delivering essential cleaning services through
Competition 2020. As a service and council, we
Redwood Secondary School, a local school
this competition, particularly during this
strongly support inclusion and being able to
which supports young people with special
most difficult of all times. The Rochdale
work in partnership with Redwood Secondary
needs, to offer an intern a cleaning work
entry gave a different dimension to the
School, which supports young people with
The winning entry came from Rochdale
The service works in partnership with
special needs, is truly humbling. The service and the council are committed to continuing partnership working with Redwood School. Since its inception in 2013 the service has supported over 10 interns and we are currently working alongside other services showcasing the benefits of working with these students who would not normally be given the opportunity to gain mainstream employment. The service is keen to emphasise that this is a two-way partnership and we have found the inspiring work ethic of the interns can often have a positive effect on the whole workforce.” WWW.ABCDSP.ORG.UK 8 DECEMBER 2020
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