Industry Awards 2008 - Friday, 17th October, Clontarf Castle.

The prestigious Irish Contract Cleaning Association (ICCA) Industry Awards event was held on 17 October 2008 at the Clontarf Castle Hotel.

Hosted by the well-known broadcaster Maura Derrane, the occasion attracted more than 320 ICCA members and member clients as well as representatives from the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc), IBEC, SFA and FÁS.
The awards drew the highest attendance level since the event began in 2002, and was a tremendous success.

Now in it’s sixth year, the Awards are going from strength to strength with 2008 showing record figures including:

- 64 entries across the 11 categories

- 57 Cleaning Operatives contesting for the individual Cleaner, Site Category Awards, as well as the Overall Cleaner of the Year

- 57 Supervisors contesting for the individual Supervisor Site Category Awards, as well as the Overall Supervisor of the Year

Momentum Support were delighted to be named Overall Winner for The Dundrum Town Centre.

Commenting on the awards was Colin Maybin, CEO of Momentum Support.

“Winning these awards is a great achievement for the company and Momentum Support is justifiably proud. Not only does it publicly recognise what we do - and how well we do it - but it also highlights the people that do it, which to me is even more important.”

These Awards provide a benchmark for quality within the industry. Over recent years, the Contract Cleaning industry has experienced many positive changes as both the industry and all those operating within it, strive to provide continued excellent customer service, while also consistently developing and training staff.

The 2008 Awards were sponsored by The Academy of Cleaning,FÁS,Johnson Diversey,Kimberly-Clark,Bunzl Supplies Ireland Ltd,3M, Ecolab, Best Practice Training and Nilfisk Advance. Their support is invaluable and contributes greatly to the success of the Awards.

Mike Sweeney, former chief executive of the British Institute of Cleaning Science judged the final sites.

He commented “the standards that I have seen on a record number of sites visits this year have been exceptional. There is no doubt in my mind that increasing participation in the Awards and the accredited training qualifications that have been widely taken up by employers for both cleaning and supervisory staff have played a major part in the raising of standards and contribute to making cleaning “a proper job”.

Tributes were paid to all the winners and in particular the recipients of the Ecolab Cleaner of the Year Award and the Johnson Diversey Supervisor of the Year Award.

The recipient of the Johnson Diversey Supervisor of the Year Award, Joan Ledwidge, Momentum Support works at Radio Telifis Eireann, Donnybrook.

Alison Walker of Momentum Support, who is based at The Outlets, Banbridge, was awarded the Ecolab Cleaner of the Year Award.

The role of the association is to represent member companies involved in the provision of cleaning services on a commercial basis in Ireland, while also heightening the status and prestige of the industry and public recognition of the vital role the industry plays.

Through membership and involvement in the ICCA, organisations can positively promote the changing face of their industry. To this end, the annual Awards provide a great opportunity to showcase the many prestigious contracts that ICCA members service on a daily basis.

The ICCA was established in 2000 as an affiliate of IBEC. The ICCA’s core objective is to continuously develop the professional standards and image of the contract cleaning industry in Ireland.

For further information about the Awards contact Avine McNally, Executive Secretary, at avine.mcnally@ibec.ie or phone: 01-6051633.

BICSc training took place in Thessalonniki, Northern Greece and over 20 people attained the COPC Stage One Certificate.

Anthony Stanley (The Academy of Cleaning Dublin) and Dennis Paraskevopoulos (CPT Athens)co-hosted training for members of Senior Mangement representing ISS Greece,Oikologiki,Yades & Papagerorgiou Hospital.

Training took place over a two week period and saw one of the students receive a surprise birthday party as a gorgeous, locally baked cake was secreted into the training centre.

Oblivious to the goings on around her, the birthday girl was completely overcome with emotion as the training group sang HAPPY BIRTHDAY to her.

The successful group of students are now applying the BICSc protocols of cleaning with the knowledge that Best Practice is being addressed utilising the Johnmaster Flat Mopping systems coupled with an entire suite of Micro Fibre tecnology.

Flat mopping is new to Greece and it is expected that these marvels of Microfibre will soon help in the alleviation of Hospital Acquired Infections.

Another eagerly awaited BICSc COPC programme is already being planned for early 2008.

We are pleased to announce that Sean Boland of the Irish Prisonservice scored 32 with the 6 dice and was presented with the giant bottle of vodka at the Irish cleaning show.

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