Scores of workers at an industrial and commercial cleaning contractor are achieving crucial qualifications in the sector, thanks to a Midlands training company.

PTP Training, which trades as Performance Through People, is an experienced provider of training at businesses and public sector organisations across the region.

It has been working with Cannock-based Ratcliffe Cleaning Contractors since last year and 17 staff have already received their Certificate in Support Cleaning Skills, with five workers moving on to team leader or supervisor positions.

PTP, part of the BCTG Group, is now training up to another 40 Ratcliffe staff in the next year as part of a Skills Support for the Workforce project, led by Serco and financed by the European Social Fund.

Paul Smith, the PTP manager who looks after the contract, said: “The training we provide enables Ratcliffe workers to qualify for the NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Cleaning and Support Services Skills.

“This is crucial as they need this to enable them to enter construction areas which they often have to do as many of their cleaning contracts are at places like new-build housing sites.

“The certificates also show that they are properly skilled cleaners, and in some cases this can lead to promotions where they end up supervising cleaning teams.

“Not only do these qualifications enable the workers concerned to develop their careers, but they also help Ratcliffe to directly sustain contracts as they can show clients that they have properly trained workers.”

Ratcliffe Cleaning was launched in 1995 and has become one of the most reliable and sought after cleaning companies in the West Midlands, specialising in services for commercial and industrial clients.

Conrad Ratcliffe, a director at the company, said: “We are very grateful to PTP for the excellent training services they have provided to our staff.

“Gaining approved qualifications for our technicians means we are able to carry out any commercial cleaning services of the highest possible quality that our clients demand.

“We’re also very keen on the training as it gives our staff more confidence in their abilities, developing what we want them to feel is a long-term career in the sector.”

Ends (356 words)

For further information, please contact:

Gill Durkin, Business Development Director,

PTP Training, Essex Terrace, Intown, Walsall, West Midlands WS1 1SQ.

Telephone: 03332 408302 Email: gilld@ptp-training.co.uk

Website: www.ptp-training.co.uk

Prepared and issued by ASAP PR – 07990 978257

Note to editors:

PTP Training Ltd is part of the BCTG Group, a West Midlands-based training organisation which supports almost 10,000 young people and adults each year.

The group has ten sites in Birmingham, the Black Country, Staffordshire and Newcastle-under-Lyme, and also includes The Apprenticeship Works, BCTG Ltd, Eurosource Solutions and Further Training.

Overall, the group offers 166 different types of apprenticeship, 84 different adult upskilling and reskilling courses and 27 pre-apprenticeship programmes for 16 to 18-year-olds. These include everything from healthcare and early years care to construction, engineering, manufacturing and logistics, through to business skills in IT, management and team leading.