Progressive Wage Model (PWM) for Cleaners
What is PWM?
The Progressive Wage Model is a structured system that promotes continuous improvement in skills and productivity, resulting in sustainable wage increments for workers. In the cleaning sector, the PWM seeks to recognize and reward the valuable contributions of cleaners by ensuring fair compensation that aligns with skill development and enhanced job performance. Our courses are in line with the identified skills and job proficiency levels as determined by the Tripartite Cluster for Cleaners (TCC).
3 Benefits of PWM
1. Sustainable Wage Growth
PWM ensures that the wages of cleaners grow at a sustainable and meaningful pace. This approach aims to provide financial stability and growth without compromising the economic well-being of the cleaners.
2. Clear Career Pathway
Cleaners benefit from a well-defined career pathway within the PWM. This pathway outlines how their wages can rise alongside training opportunities, skill development, and improvements in productivity standards. Cleaners can chart their career progression within the PWM framework. As they acquire new skills and contribute to increased productivity, they can expect a corresponding growth in their wages.
3. Improved Working Conditions
As PWM encourages employers to invest in skill development and productivity, it indirectly contributes to improved working conditions for cleaners. Enhanced skills and productivity often lead to a more efficient and organized work environment.
Our cleaning training modules are aligned to the PWM Career Pathway for cleaners
Training Requirements
June 2021
The Government announced its acceptance of the recommendations by the Tripartite Cluster For Cleaners (TCC) which included Enhanced Training Requirements (ETR) for cleaners.
The Enhanced Training Requirements (ETR) applies to ALL cleaners regardless of nationality (Singaporean, Singapore PR, and foreigner) and employment type (full-time, part-time, casual, and temporary cleaners).
It does not include employees who are employed for less than 3 months as of the date the licence application is submitted.
The PWM comes under the Cleaning Business Licence scheme administered by National Environmental Agency (NEA). Cleaning companies must meet the PWM requirements to obtain or renew their licences.
September 2022
Employers hiring foreign workers are required to meet the PWM requirements for their in-house cleaners.
December 2022
Licensed cleaning businesses must ensure that all their cleaners (regardless of nationality or employment type) attain TWO (2) modules in accordance with their Progressive Wage Model (PWM) job title.
- One (1) WSQ Workplace Safety & Health (WSH) module, AND
- One (1) WSQ CORE module
January 2024
Cleaning companies with specifically Class 1 license are required to upskill their cleaning workforce with an additional CORE module. Every cleaner, team leader or supervisor must undertake 3 WSQ modules.
- One (1) WSQ Workplace Safety & Health (WSH) module, AND
- Two (2) WSQ CORE module
This requirement is mandatory for license renewal from 2024 onwards, in addition to Class 1 licensees having a minimum Paid Up Capital of $250,000.00 as per ACRA, BizSafe Certification Level 3 and no conviction history in the prior 24 months.
We help cleaning companies maintain their workforce qualifications to renew their cleaning business licenses
Our WSQ Cleaning Modules
These mandatory WSQ-approved WSH and CORE modules are applicable to cleaning companies that are complying with the PWM’s training requirements and applicable to all cleaners for all cleaning sub-sectors (Office & Commercial e.g. offices, condominiums, F&B Establishments e.g. hawker centres, food courts, and Conservancy e.g. town councils, public cleaning). Funding for each course is available from SSG.
Courses for Cleaners holding PWM Job Title : General Cleaner / Indoor Cleaner / Outdoor Cleaner / Healthcare Cleaner / Restroom Cleaner / Table-Top Cleaner / Dishwasher / Refuse Collector
We offer training courses and assessment-only pathway* for the cleaning workforce or new joiners to the cleaning industry, holding onto PWM Job Title of General Cleaner, Indoor Cleaner, Restroom Cleaner or Table-top Cleaner. These Proficiency Level 1 cleaning courses aim to educate the cleaners on the basics of Workplace Safety & Health (WSH) and the relevant cleaning CORE skills.
- Level 1 – Comply with Workplace Safety & Health Policies and Procedures
- Level 1 – Provide Quality Services
- Level 1 – Perform Basic Cleaning of Hard Floor Surfaces
- Level 1 – Perform Basic Cleaning of Washrooms
MODULE TYPE | COURSE TITLE TECHNICAL SKILL COMPETENCY CODE | COURSE DESCRIPTION | T & A | AOP* |
WSH | Workplace Safety and Health Practices Implementation EVS-WSH-1006-1.1 | Level 1 – Comply with Workplace Safety & Health Policies and Procedures The trainee will possess the knowledge and skills in the following areas. Introduction To Workplace Safety And Health Policies And Procedures In The Cleaning Industry Follow Safe Work Practices and Risk Control Procedures Participate In Workplace Safety And Health Management Activities Follow Workplace Emergency Response Procedures Alert Codes stipulated by Ministry of Health Singapore | Enquire | Enquire |
CORE | Customer Management EVS-CFC-1005-1.1 | Level 1 – Provide Quality Services The learner will possess the knowledge and skills in the following areas. Personal grooming Proper hygiene standards Project of positive image Maintaining good interpersonal relationships with customers Proper way of communicating with customers Identifying triggers of service challenges Handling service challengers Responding to customers’ needs Appropriate attitude when delivering customer service | Enquire | Enquire |
CORE | Horizontal Surface Maintenance EVS-CGO-1004-1.1 | Level 1 – Perform Basic Cleaning of Hard Floor Surfaces The learner will be able to: Understand the basics of cleaning of Hard Floor Surfaces Know the different types of Hard Floor Surfaces Make the necessary preparations to clean Hard Floor Perform cleaning of Hard Floor Surface Reinstate the work area | Enquire | Enquire |
CORE | Washroom Maintenance EVS-CGO-1007-1.1 | Level 1 – Perform Basic Cleaning of Washrooms The trainee will be able to: Make preparations required for cleaning washrooms Replenish consumable items in washrooms Remove dust, soilage and spillage from washroom surfaces Clean toilet walls/partitions and surfaces with high user contact Clean toilet floors Reinstate work area | Enquire | NA |
* Assessment-Only Pathway (AOP)
– The Assessment-Only Pathway (AOP) are individual one-to-one sessions and leads to WSQ Certification.
– The AOP approach recognizes the relevant knowledge, skills and experience candidates have acquired on the job and provides the opportunity to achieve WSQ Certification by directly assessing their knowledge and skillsets without having to undergo training. In lieu of training, our trainer will first guide your employee to do a Self-Assessment Checklist to determine the assessment readiness before proceeding with the assessment for certification.
– Kindly note the AOP pre-requisite is the candidate must have minimum 3 month work experience as a cleaner.
Courses for Workers holding PWM Job Title : Supervisor/ Multi-skilled Cleaner/ Machine Operator
We offer training courses for Cleaning Supervisors or those holding Multi-Skilled Cleaner or Machine Operator PWM Job Titles. Operations Executives and Operations Managers are suitable learners too. The cleaning modules for Supervisors are
- Level 2 – Workplace Safety & Health Performance Management Course for Cleaning Supervisors
- Level 3 – Demonstrate & Apply Understanding of Cleaning Chemicals
- Level 3 – Supervise Service Operations
MODULE TYPE | COURSE TITLE TSC CODE | COURSE DESCRIPTION | T & A |
WSH | Workplace Safety & Health Performance Management EVS-WSH-2004-1.1 | Level 2 – Workplace Safety & Health Performance Management Course for Cleaning Supervisors The supervisory learner will develop competencies in these areas: Comply with WSH policy and procedures for type of routine and non-routine work for Environmental Services Provide support during the conduct of compliance WSH inspections, and identify the risk and hazards at workplace Understand gaps in control measures, and use appropriate corrective actions and preventive actions (CAPA) based on hierarchy of controls Identify risk involved in workplace activities, and to recommend control measures to stakeholders for implementation Observe and assess the effectiveness of the implemented control measures | Enquire |
CORE | Cleaning Chemical Handling EVS-CGO-3001-1.1 | Level 3 – Demonstrate & Apply Understanding of Cleaning Chemicals The learner will be able to: Demonstrate understanding of cleaning chemicals, methods and techniques Apply knowledge in the use of cleaning chemicals Apply cleaning methods and processes Review and evaluate the effectiveness of cleaning chemicals, methods and processes | Enquire |
CORE | Supervise Service Operations EVS-CFC-3005-1.1 | Level 3 – Supervise Service Operations The learner will be able to: Fulfil requirements of internal & external customers Ensure quality service delivery Monitor, evaluate and review customer service | Enquire |