FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jewelyn Cosgrove, [email protected]
Upper Marlboro, Md. – Melwood Enterprises, a leading employer of people with disabilities, announced today a partnership with ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, as a pilot employer for the industry’s first nationally recognized registered apprenticeship program for frontline cleaning workers. The initiative marks the professional cleaning industry’s entry into the national registered apprenticeship framework, creating new opportunities for workers to develop their skills, earn recognized credentials and advance their careers.
Melwood Enterprises will sponsor 10 disabled and non-disabled employees through the pilot program, investing in the people whose expertise helps deliver high-quality cleaning and facility services to federal and commercial customers. Participants will work toward nationally recognized credentials, focusing on safety, infection prevention, and professional standards.
“People often see custodial work as an entry-level job without a clear path forward. But there is real skill and expertise involved in doing this work well, and there are opportunities to build on that experience and advance,” said Brice Alexander, Executive Director of Melwood Enterprises, who has spent his career in the custodial industry. “This apprenticeship will make those career possibilities more visible, recognizes cleaning professionals for the knowledge they bring to their work, and gives them a stronger foundation for building lasting careers in the industry.
Melwood Enterprises employees who complete the pilot will receive first priority when promotion opportunities arise and will earn the cleaning technician – apprenticeship and ISSA Basic and Advanced Custodial Certifications. Participating in the pilot and future apprenticeship opportunities will allow workers to demonstrate their expertise in the industry and commitment to continuing education.
ISSA selected Melwood Enterprises as a pilot partner in recognition of its longstanding commitment to professional training, operational excellence, and sustainable facilities practices, including its achievements in the ISSA Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) Green Building program and the CIMS Green Building + Sustainability Program, an extremely rare honor held by only 10organizations in North America.
“Melwood Enterprises brings the operational experience, training expertise, and commitment to workforce development that are essential to helping ISSA establish this apprenticeship program,” said John Nothdurft, Vice President of Government and Public Affairs for ISSA. “Its track record in professional custodial and supervisory training, along with its commitment to sustainable building practices, makes Melwood a valuable partner as we introduce this model and work toward expanding it nationally. We have confidence in Melwood’s ability to help demonstrate how a registered apprenticeship can strengthen the cleaning profession and create meaningful career opportunities for workers.”
Melwood Enterprises’ participation in the pilot reflects its ongoing investment in its employees and its commitment to delivering world-class services to the federal and commercial customers it serves while creating careers for people with disabilities. Through its integrated workforce, Melwood Enterprises cleans more than 25 million square feet of office space annually, supporting federal government operations and the mission-critical services that help keep the nation running.
About Melwood Enterprises
Melwood Enterprises delivers top-tier business solutions to public and private sector clients across more than 70 locations in the D.C. region and across the mid-Atlantic, while expanding employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Boasting a team of seasoned performers, industry-respected certifications, unparalleled retention rates, and excellence in long-standing contracts, Melwood Enterprises delivers satisfaction, stability, and exceptional return on investment. For more information about Melwood Enterprises, a part of the Melwood family of companies, visit www.MelwoodEnterprises.org.
About ISSA
ISSA is the worldwide cleaning industry association. Through education, certification, standards, advocacy and industry resources, ISSA supports cleaning and facility solutions professionals and organizations around the world. Learn more at www.issa.com.
