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Welcome to InTheNews โ covering all the FM news you may have missed over the week:
Launched this week, new guidance from UKGBC on Renewable Energy Procurement seeks to empower stakeholders tasked with procuring energy in the built environment to do so in a way that enables them to realise their climate ambition, while supporting the continued decarbonisation of the electricity supply sector. Across a suite of guidance documents, UKGBCโs new series of reports gives industry the tools to make more informed procurement decisions.
With buildings responsible for over 60% of the UKโs national electricity demand, the built environment industry has a critical role to play in achieving this target, and the way electricity is procured for our buildings can accelerate our transition to a reliable, resilient, and zero carbon grid.
UKGBCโs Head of Climate Action, Yetunde Abdul said: Decarbonising the electricity system is a top priority for achieving Net Zero. Critical to enabling this, is understanding the active role our buildings and the way we procure energy must play. However, distinguishing the high-quality products that are supporting the energy systemโs transition from the other โgreenโ offerings in the market is currently challenging.โ
Proposals for an Apprenticeship Standard for the cleaning and hygiene industry have been approved, potentially paving the way for employers to invest millions of pounds annually in training sector staff.
The British Cleaning Council (BCC), which made achieving the Cleaning Hygiene Operative Apprenticeship one of its key priorities, is aiming to support the launch of the Apprenticeship Levy funded programme early in 2024.
It will be hosting a series of expert-led AAG (Apprenticeship Advice and Guidance) Zoom information sessions starting in October, where employers can find out what the Cleaning Hygiene Operative Apprenticeship means for them and how to implement it in their workplace.
BCC Chairman Delia Cannings said: โMy BCC colleagues and I are thrilled and delighted by this news. The Cleaning Hygiene Operative Apprenticeship will be a major and valuable contribution to the future success of the cleaning and hygiene sector.โ
The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has praised the creation of the first British Standard for health and well-being in buildings.
BS40102 (part one) gives recommendations for measuring, monitoring, and reporting indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in all types of non-domestic buildings. It includes an evaluation and rating system for air quality, lighting, thermal comfort, and acoustics.
โThis new British Standard is an important step forward in our ongoing battle to get the government and building owners to focus more attention and investment on the indoor environment,โ said BESA IAQ Group chair Nathan Wood.
โSetting IEQ performance benchmarks will make it easier for facilities managers to target problem areas and demonstrate how conditions directly affect health and productivity. However, we must continue to keep pushing standards upwards as current government targets do not reflect the latest WHO guidance and lack real ambition.โ
Contract extensions have been awarded to Independents by Sodexo has secured contract extensions with Edinburgh Academy and Strathallan School in Scotland, retaining catering, hospitality and cleaning services.
Following a formal tender process Sodexo has retained its 30-year partnership with Edinburgh Academy for an additional five years, delivering catering and cleaning services for the 1,200 students at nursery, junior and senior schools. Cleaning will cover the entire school facilities, including the gym, classrooms, dining rooms and corridors.
Managing director Steve Hawkins said: โWeโre thrilled to continue our long-standing partnership further with Edinburgh Academy and Strathallan School and to continue to support both schools in providing nutritious healthy experiences.โ
You can find out more on news.fmbusinessdaily.com