The Clean Close Company
Alex Fyfe is the Business Development Manager at The Clean Close Company, a social enterprise organisation operating in Tayside.
Alex has taken some time out to answer our questions on training and details how working with his local training partner has helped to develop the business.
Q. Can you give some background on your business?
The Clean Close Company started trading on the 2nd May 2005. The company was set up as part of Dundee City Council’s regeneration programme and is a not for profit organisation. Initially the company looked after the common areas in the tenement buildings in Dundee, but has progressed to cleaning back court areas, graffiti removal, sheltered housing, offices and flat cleaning.
Q. How many employees do you have?
26.
Q. What made you decide to contact learndirect scotland for business?
I previously worked with our local training partner, Keith Spalding. And I met Keith at a Healthy Working Lives event where he was giving a presentation.
As a social enterprise organisation, I thought Keith could help us access information and training on Health & Safety and HR-related issues.
Q. What happened next?
When I met with Keith he provided the company with access to a range of templates including Health & Safety assessments and appraisal documents. It had helped to make our systems more robust.
Q. What kind of training needs have you identified through this process?
We take all of our staff through an SVQ in Building Cleaning and Support Services via Elmwood College. We also train our team leaders in The Institute of Leadership and Management. Keith also helped us source training courses for topics such as PAT testing and First Aid.
Q. Did learndirect scotland for business manage to source providers or courses that you wouldn’t have thought of?
Yes. Keith supplied us with a database of training providers and outline costs. I always found the meetings to be very productive. It has been good to have learndirect scotland for business’ help as they provide an objective point of view and help to keep us focussed.
Q. How do you think this training will benefit the business?
I believe that training is core to any business and it should be viewed as an investment not an expense. It helps us to provide a better service and the customers benefit too. I also think that it is vital that staff are trained as it helps to improve their confidence and self esteem. Team qualifications and standards are also a badge which underpins our marketing strategy.
Q. Has the business any major training initiatives planned for the future?
We are committed to ongoing training. One of the areas that we are currently looking into is the development of ground maintenance and building on the skills already in-house.
Q. Would you recommend learndirect scotland for business to other businesses?
Absolutely, 100%. It has been very helpful. Having Keith come in has helped us to consider the available options. When you are running a business it is easy to get caught up in the day to day running and Keith has certainly helped us step back and appraise our overall needs.
For more information on The Clean Close Company, please contact Alex Fyfe on 01382 456464.