Training Issues and Opportunities

The introduction of new products, equipment and cleaning procedures requires an investment in training and education. The San Francisco Unified School District implemented a pilot Green Cleaning program that included replacing vacuums with HEPA filter vacuums, new mopping systems and entry mats. The custodial staff were trained not only on how to use the equipment, but also about Indoor Air Quality in general. After the training the custodians felt that they were professionals in the field through their increased knowledge about cleaning for health. Their training taught them ways to reduce airborne particles that could cause asthma and other respiratory problems in the school as well as their homes.

Finding Training Resources

There are many cleaning industry sources for training materials and programs, including distributors, brokers, manufacturers and consultants. These training resources offer the most convenient, cost-effective way for schools to ensure the success of the Green Cleaning program. Consider training your workers to become Green Cleaning specialists. Seminars are available that teach specialists to optimize labor, speed and quality.

If someone on your staff has expertise in Green Cleaning, or access to individuals with such expertise, you might consider creating a custom training program for your school. This is a significant task that will require a commitment of time and resources. This generally is not recommended when first introducing Green Cleaning, but might be a viable option as the program matures.

Evaluating Training Options

Here are some general tips for evaluating training programs:

Take the time to ensure the program is appropriate for your situation and that it directly addresses your plans and priorities.
Is the program versatile? Training experts point out that adults learn in a variety of ways. Some learn better through visual cues, others rely on verbal instructions, and so on. Most people learn best by having hands-on practice during training. Make sure the programs can be used in ways that match your staff’s learning styles.

Does it allow flexibility to be used by non-English speaking staff? Is the program available in other languages that match your custodians’ needs?

Is the program consistent and equivalent between languages? That is, are all supported languages offered the same material, or are the additional language versions “stripped down”?

Are alternate training methods available, e.g., color coding, icons, video, etc.?

Is there a “Train the Trainer” program available?

If the training program is offered by a manufacturer, is it updated to match new product introductions?

Is the training comprehensive, or is it limited to a few products or tasks? Many activities within a school such as cleaning restrooms or classrooms require numerous steps. The best training addresses the entire process.

Is it product-specific, promoting only the manufacturer’s products, or more general (neither is necessarily good or bad, but they are different)?

Is the training focused solely on appropriate product usage, or does it also provide assistance on staffing requirements, workloading, scheduling and other requirements necessary to manage the cleaning of a school?
Consider inviting the school nurse to talk about the relationship between indoor air quality, children's health and education.

Overcoming Resistance

New training programs simply dropped on a custodial staff are typically viewed with skepticism and apprehension. Regardless of how obvious the need for training may be to you, someone may be inconvenienced and could resist it. Given the impact of budget cuts, wage and hiring freezes, and other resource constraints on many school districts, the green cleaning effort may be misconstrued it as an attack on the custodians.

The key to overcoming resistance is frequent and clear communication with and involvement of the cleaning staff from the very beginning. When people understand why something is being changed, see how they may benefit and play a role in how it is being done, they are more likely to go along with the program. Remember to:

Make the objectives of training clear, stressing that it is not a condemnation of previous practices, but rather an effort to improve the health and well-being of students, teachers and custodial staff.

Explain that Green Cleaning is in the interest of the custodial staff as much as the students and teachers. A California study showed that janitors have one of the highest rates of occupationally induced asthma. Other long-term or chronic effects are also a concern, but are difficult to show cause and effect.

Find opportunities to create “heroes” and publicize them within the school and, when possible, out in the community.

For more tools and techniques for communicating about green cleaning, see Long-Term Success.

Back to:

STEP 1: Switch to Green Cleaning Products
STEP 2: Introduce Green Equipment and Supplies
STEP 3: Adopt Green Cleaning Procedures
STEP 4: Use Green Paper and Plastic Products
STEP 5: Share the Responsibility