Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 18th April 2024 Issue no. 1110

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BICSc to discontinue COPC qualification

The British Institute of Cleaning Science has announced that the Cleaning Operator's Proficiency Certificate (COPC), along with Food Premises Cleaning Certificate (FPCC) and Healthcare Professionals Cleaning Certificate (HPCC) will be discontinued and withdrawn from use from 31st March 2013 following the establishment of the Cleaning Professional Skill Suite (CPSS).

The current Car Valeting qualification has also been withdrawn from use with immediate effect to allow for a review of the tasks. The scheme will be relaunched in early 2013 as a module within CPSS.

The CPSS qualification was launched in March 2011 and has been well received with implementation by cleaning and FM organisations in colleges, hospitals, universities and the retail sector. Upon the successful completion of the three CPSS mandatory units, candidates are issued with their BICSc 'Licence to Practice' which ensures that a cleaning operative is competent in the required entry level skills to perform his or her role as a cleaning operative. Skills include chemical competence, the safe use and storage of equipment and materials and fulfilling health & safety requirements.

Since its launch, BICSc has issued over 2,000 'Licences to Practice', continuing with skills certification and providing organisations with the flexibility to choose to train staff in the skills required for their business and control the costs of training.

BICSc Accredited Training Organisations that currently still deliver COPC training should request to receive a CPSS conversion alongside their next audit or by a single visit. Individual candidates that have been awarded COPC certificates should note that the qualification continues to be recognised by the industry but it is recommended that where required candidates complete a refresher CPSS course to gain their BICSc Licence to Practice which indicates their competency in the basic skills required by all cleaning operatives in today's industry.

T: 01604 678710
E: [email protected]
W: www.bics.org.uk

13th December 2012