A Game‑Changing Opportunity for Cleaning Business Owners: Free IOSH Training to Strengthen Your Team’s Wellbeing
Running a cleaning business is no small feat. Whether you manage a handful of operatives or a growing multi‑site team, you’re constantly balancing client expectations, staffing pressures, tight margins and the wellbeing of the people who keep your contracts running. In an industry built on reliability, trust and hard work, the health of your workforce is one of your most valuable assets.
That’s why a new government‑funded initiative could make a real difference to the way you support your people and strengthen your business.
International Workplace has been awarded a contract by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to deliver the IOSH Managing Occupational Health and Wellbeing course free of charge to small and medium‑sized businesses in England. Normally priced between £149 and £249 per person, this one‑day course is now fully funded — and 1,000 places have been specifically earmarked for the cleaning, soft FM and security sectors.
For business owners and managers in the cleaning industry, this is a rare opportunity to access high‑quality, accredited training without the financial barrier.
Running a cleaning business is no small feat. Whether you manage a handful of operatives or a growing multi‑site team, you’re constantly balancing client expectations, staffing pressures, tight margins and the wellbeing of the people who keep your contracts running. In an industry built on reliability, trust and hard work, the health of your workforce is one of your most valuable assets.
That’s why a new government‑funded initiative could make a real difference to the way you support your people and strengthen your business.
International Workplace has been awarded a contract by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to deliver the IOSH Managing Occupational Health and Wellbeing course free of charge to small and medium‑sized businesses in England. Normally priced between £149 and £249 per person, this one‑day course is now fully funded — and 1,000 places have been specifically earmarked for the cleaning, soft FM and security sectors.
For business owners and managers in the cleaning industry, this is a rare opportunity to access high‑quality, accredited training without the financial barrier.
Why this matters for your cleaning business
Cleaning teams work in environments that can be physically demanding, fast‑paced and often isolated. Line managers and supervisors are the first to spot when someone is struggling — but they don’t always have the tools or confidence to respond effectively.
This course is designed to change that. It helps managers:
- Recognise early signs of mental ill‑health
- Support staff with disabilities or long‑term conditions
- Reduce sickness absence and improve return‑to‑work outcomes
- Build healthier, more resilient teams
- Improve communication and wellbeing conversations
For cleaning businesses, where staff retention and reliability are critical to service delivery, these skills can have a direct impact on performance, client satisfaction and contract stability.
Flexible training that fits around your operation
The course is available in three formats, giving you and your managers the freedom to choose what works best:
- Online self‑study — ideal for busy supervisors working across multiple sites
- Virtual classroom via Microsoft Teams — structured learning without travel
- In‑person training at one of 12 regional venues — perfect for those who benefit from face‑to‑face interaction
Every participant receives full IOSH certification on completion.
Who can access the training for free
The offer is open to anyone who:
- Works for a business in England with 249 employees or fewer
- Manages at least one person
- Registers before 31 March 2026
- Has not completed the course in the last three years
There is no limit to how many people from the same business can take part. If you want all your supervisors trained, you can. If you want to build a consistent approach to wellbeing across every contract, this is your chance.
Helping the cleaning sector thrive
International Workplace is working with trade bodies, membership organisations and industry partners to ensure cleaning SMEs don’t miss out.
A practical investment in your people — at no cost to you
In a sector where people are your business, giving your managers the skills to support health and wellbeing is one of the most powerful steps you can take. This fully funded IOSH course removes the financial barrier and offers a straightforward, credible way to strengthen your team and your organisation.
With 1,000 places allocated to the cleaning industry, now is the moment to take advantage — and help build a healthier, more resilient workforce for the future.
Delia Cannings, British Cleaning Council (BCC) Immediate Past Chair, said: "Mental health and disability are significant issues which can affect staff in the cleaning workforce and the many smaller businesses in our sector may lack the resources to appropriately support staff facing these challenges.
"Lone working and anti-social hours are more common in our industry and the sector as a whole tends to be undervalued by society at large, which can lead to higher rates of mental health issues. This kind of demanding, physical work can also be more challenging for staff with disabilities.
"The Managing Occupational Health and Wellbeing course is a fantastic course which will help SMEs support their staff with these challenges and create healthier, more productive workplaces to support staff morale, productivity, recruitment and retention. We strongly encourage managers in SMEs to consider signing up to it."
For further information and to register for this opportunity: Let's get on