Tip-top AET for university’s facility management staff
More than 600 university employees will attend full-time adult education and training (AET) classes facilitated by Triple E Training, widely acknowledged as the foremost provider of adult education in the country.
This intervention will raise the overall quality of workmanship performed by these employees. These workers were previously employed by contractors that provided various facilities management services on campus. They were absorbed by the university when it decided to bring these services in-house to reduce costs, while also improving efficiencies and overall work quality. However, the university was unaware of the very low basic education skills levels of these workers, which continues to prevent them from performing at their peak.
As one of the country’s leading universities, our client also finds it unconceivable that there are members of its staff who are functionally illiterate especially in this information-rich era. South African universities, especially this one, also have a long and proud tradition of providing AET to marginalised citizens during the country’s dark years. Access to a quality adult basic education by all citizens has since been recognised as fundamental human right in our constitution, which so many universities fought so hard for before democracy. Considering our reputation for facilitating the best AET, Triple E Training was the first and only provider of basic education skills training to be approached by the university.
Importance of literacy and numeracy swept under the carpet
The significance of literacy, numeracy and communication skills for jobs as mundane as cleaning are often overlooked. Yet, these skills are key to ensuring that cleaning teams do their jobs efficiently and, importantly, in line with increasingly complex compliance standards. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these frontline workers ensured safe workplaces for employees by following very strict cleaning protocol.
For example, cleaners are frequently required to read and follow instructions; safety data sheets; and operating manuals for chemicals and machinery. If they do not have a strong foundation in literacy, these employees will make mistakes that could result in injuries or worse. This also exposes property owners or operators to potential risk, such as penalties for non-compliance. Furthermore, employees must be able to communicate safety procedures, hazards and emergency protocols clearly to other team members to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
Employees also use literacy for reporting and documenting cleaning schedules, incidents and equipment maintenance. An inability to perform these functions jeopardises accountability and quality control.
Cleaning staff also often interact with facility users. Poor communication skills can, therefore, detract from the overall customer experience.
Good literacy skills also facilitate teamwork and collaboration, which ensures that tasks are divided and completed efficiently.
These employees are also regularly involved in inventory management. Maintaining stock levels and accurately calculating quantities of chemicals or detergents to be used requires numeracy skills, with inaccurate counting and measurement leading to waste and cost inefficiencies.
Cleaners also use these skills for accurate chemical dilution. A miscalculation can result in sub-standard cleaning; damage to surfaces; or even health and safety hazards.
Moreover, cleaning teams use numeracy for scheduling and time management. Without basic number skills, they cannot manage deadlines, which requires an ability to accurately estimate the time needed for each job.
Starting with a clean slate
To ensure faster learner progression, Triple E Training proposed fulltime AET classes on campus. The university was unaware that we offered this option for clients who wanted to get their employees up to speed as soon as possible. Our AET schedules have already been approved by all relevant department heads, so that the upskilling programme can start as soon as possible.
Learn more about Triple E Training and how we are unlocking the untapped potential of our many clients’ employees. www.eee.co.za