ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

The European Federation of Cleaning Industries (EFCI) has presented a solid and forward-thinking proposal to the European Commission as part of the Skills Portability Initiative. Central to its recommendations is the introduction of a European Cleaning Skills Card - a universal, sector-wide credential designed to ensure that cleaning professionals’ abilities are recognised seamlessly throughout all EU countries.

According to EFCI, the cleaning and facility services sector, which employs millions across the continent, can gain from a coherent system of skills validation. The proposed Skills Card would verify a set of essential, accredited skills - covering areas such as manual handling, safe use of chemicals and key cleaning techniques - and thus enhancing service standards, improving worker safeguards and facilitating greater workforce mobility.

Collaboration vital

The EFCI stresses that the card would deliver several advantages:

• Unified training standards, helping to bridge gaps between national qualification systems.

• Enhanced professional status, raising the profile of cleaning as a career and opening up better prospects for advancement.

• A fairer marketplace, ensuring that companies which invest in staff training are not disadvantaged compared to those that do not.

• Improved clarity for procurement teams, making it easier to reliably confirm workforce qualifications.

EFCI also highlights the importance of collaborating with social partners, such as Uni Europa, as well as national industry groups, training providers and procurement organisations. Such collaboration is vital to upholding labour standards - encouraging ongoing professional development and supporting the long-term viability and competitiveness of the sector.

In summary, EFCI sees the Skills Card not just as an administrative measure but as a strategic step towards improving quality, increasing mobility and professionalising the cleaning workforce across Europe - in line with the wider aims of EU labour mobility and social policy.

www.efci.eu