Thirteen Bermudians have successfully completed a cleaning certification course, the Government said.

The Technical Cleaning Certification course was held last month in partnership with local cleaning company Atlantic Cleaning & Maintenance Services along with David Thompson, from the Academy of Cleaning Excellence in Florida.

The five-day programme covered modern safety in industrial cleaning, commercial cleaning, using protective equipment properly, chemical protection, how to clean various surfaces, tool clean-up and customer service.

It also included multiple elements needed for the ACE professional development educational certification courses.

According to a statement, eight participants are employed full-time in various residential and commercial businesses across the island.

Meanwhile, SOS Limited and Atlantic Cleaning are helping the remaining participants who have met the standard training requirements for commercial and residential cleaning-related jobs with securing jobs.

The Minister of Economy and Labour, Jason Hayward, said: “I want to thank Allen Ferreira, owner of Atlantic Cleaning and Maintenance Services, and Sharon Lee Johnson, of D. E. Mortimer & Co Ltd Wholesaler, who assisted with providing the various cleaning materials and machinery used during the five-day theory and practical training held at the Department of Workforce Development.

“I also want to thank Kristi Capuano, of SOS Limited Recruitment Company, who has been assisting the participants with securing employment opportunities.

“My sincere thanks and appreciation to the Department of Workforce Development's training section for their continued efforts in creating training and development opportunities to get Bermudians back to work in industry-driven high-demand occupations.”