About the Award – Why This Matters

The cleaning industry is built on people. This award recognises cleaning providers and companies that demonstrate a genuine, sustained commitment to training, upskilling and developing their workforce.

By investing in learning and capability building, these organisations help raise service quality, support career progression, improve retention, and strengthen the long‑term sustainability of the cleaning industry in Aotearoa New Zealand.

This award category celebrates organisations that demonstrably understand that skilled, supported people are essential to excellence - and that workforce development is not a one‑off activity, but an ongoing commitment.

Who Should Enter

This award is open to BSCNZ members of all sizes who can demonstrate:

• A clear commitment to training and workforce development
• Practical actions to build skills and capability across their teams
• Positive outcomes for employees, customers, and the organisation

Entries may relate to organisation‑wide programmes or targeted initiatives, and can include internal, external, or industry‑aligned training approaches.

Why Enter This Award

Entering the Workforce Development Excellence Award provides BSCNZ members with a valuable opportunity to showcase their commitment to people, quality and professionalism.

Being recognised through the BSCNZ CleenSweep Awards helps companies:

• Strengthen their brand by demonstrating leadership in training and workforce development
• Differentiate themselves in the market when tendering, recruiting or engaging clients
• Promote their organisation through finalist or winner recognition across awards communications, media and industry channels
• Build pride and engagement among staff by celebrating investment in their skills and career development

Finalists and winners can use their recognition within the Workforce Development Awards as a credible marketing and promotional tool, reinforcing trust with clients and stakeholders while highlighting their role in raising standards across the cleaning industry.

How to Enter

To enter this category, organisations are asked to submit a written entry that outlines:

• Their approach to training and upskilling their workforce
• Examples of initiatives, programmes or practices in place
• Evidence of impact or outcomes achieved

Download entry form here

Supporting material such as policies, frameworks, case studies, testimonials or examples of learning pathways may be included to strengthen the submission.

Entries should focus on what has been implemented, why it matters, and how it has made a difference.

Judging Criteria

Entries will be assessed against the following criteria:

Commitment to Workforce Development

• Clear organisational commitment to training, learning and upskilling
• Alignment between workforce development and business or service goals

Quality and Relevance of Training

• Training programmes are relevant, accessible and appropriate to the workforce
• Learning opportunities support both technical skills and professional development

Support for People

• Evidence of inclusive practices that support diverse learners
• Initiatives that enable career progression, confidence and capability

Impact and Outcomes

• Demonstrated benefits for employees, such as improved skills, engagement or retention
• Positive impacts on service quality, performance or organisational capability

Sustainability and Continuous Improvement

• Ongoing investment rather than one‑off activity
• Evidence of review, improvement or future planning for workforce development

What the Judges Are Looking For

Judges will be looking for authentic, well‑evidenced examples of how organisations are investing in their people. Strong entries will clearly demonstrate intent, action and impact, and show how training and upskilling are embedded into everyday practice.

This award is not about size or budget - it is about commitment, leadership and meaningful outcomes.