NTG Training in partnership with Afonwen Laundry has developed the Level 2 Textile Care Operative apprenticeship standard, which will be taking its first enrolments this month (March 2019).

There are over 3,500 textile care businesses in the UK, ranging in size from SMEs to PLCs and covering both commercial laundry and dry/wet cleaning. The industry employs circa 32,000 employees and is worth in the region of £1billion a year. Textile Care Services Operatives form the majority of employees in the sector and are at the heart of the operation.

The qualification was developed so operators fully understand their obligations and the implications of cross contamination, environmental factors, understanding the chemicals used, safe systems of work and lean practices.

NTG training is one of the first organisations to release this standard for delivery.

What sectors does the apprenticeship cover?

• Commercial laundry
• NHS
• Health care
• Football clubs
• Hotels
• Food sector
• Textiles
• Workwear

Who is the qualification aimed at?

• Laundry Operative
• Garment cleaner
• Presser
• Wet cleaning operative
• General Laundry operative
• Kit men/women

Course content

• Sector/company history
• Health & Safety
• Quality Standards
• Environmental Practices
• Cleaning processes
• Finishing processes
• Machine breakdowns and failure
• Technology and IT
• Communication/time management
• Sorting/washing/drying/finishing/sorting/packaging

Delivery methods

• 1-1 face to face
• Classroom
• E-learning/webinars
• Workbooks

Apprenticeship details

Overview:  Providing laundry services and often product rental, to a wide range of sectors in the UK

Employers involved in creating the standard: Aspley Workwear, Bates of London, Berendsen, Central Laundry, Crystal Laundry, Imperial Laundry, Johnson Service Group, Laundry World, Micronclean, NHS Salisbury, Royal Jersey, Swiss/Camplings Group, Total Laundry

Training providers offering the standard: Fashion Enter, Textile Centre of Excellence, NTG Training, Newham College

Maximum funding: £4,000

Duration: 12 months

External Quality Assurance Provider: UKFT

Read more here: https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/textile-care-operative/

UKFT is working to raise the skills and productivity of the people who work in our industry to the highest level, ensuring the UK fashion and textile sector remains competitive against global competition. During National Apprenticeship Week, we will be profiling some of the new apprenticeship standards that we have co-ordinated since UKFT became Sector Skills Body for the Fashion & Textiles industry.

Find out more here.