Posted on January 10, 2022

VCC offers free Building Service Worker microcredential

a male building service worker cleans a window while wearing protective gear

Vancouver Community College (VCC) is proud to offer programming to support cleaners and other workers in the building service industry during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

VCC's funded Building Service Worker (BSW) foundation course provides the fundamentals of the Building Service Worker field, including health and safety practices, cleaning procedures, tools and equipment, and anti-contagion practices. You will also learn about enhanced cleaning techniques and best practices to help prevent or reduce the impact of contagions, such as COVID-19. Concepts will be taught through a combination of direct instruction, video demonstrations, self-directed reading, classroom discussion, and activities/assignments. The Building Service Worker Foundations course is suitable for those who want to work in the cleaning and maintaining of commercial, institutional, or residential buildings.

These courses are being provided tuition-free thanks to funding from the Government of British Columbia.

Class schedule

Visit the program page for more details.

Topics covered

  • Maintaining safe work environment Using personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety equipment

  • Planning and organizing work

  • Using communication techniques

  • Demonstrating service industry professionalism

  • Using hand and power tools and equipment

  • Organizing and maintaining custodial cleaning closet

  • Selecting and using appropriate cleaning cloths Performing dry and wet cleaning procedures

  • Using pH scale, disinfectants, and green cleaning principles

  • Cleaning carpet, hard floors, glass, stairways, walls and/or ceilings

  • Cleaning food preparation areas and wash/restrooms

  • How microorganisms cause infection in humans

  • Identifying and applying levels of infection control

  • Performing personal infection control practices

  • Applying safe practices to avoid contamination and spread of hantavirus

  • Performing cleaning/sanitation and disinfection practices to avoid contamination and spread of bacteria and viruses in a public setting

  • Maintaining a healthy work environment

Admission requirements

This program is for adults (16 years or older) who reside in B.C. and are eligible to work in Canada. 

Fees and other costs

All tuition for these pilot courses is covered and at no additional cost to the employer or individual participant.

Credential

Upon satisfactory completion, participants will receive a Statement of Completion.

Additional information

This course is delivered in a blended format, which includes 5 half-days of online classes and 1 half-day of in-person, hands-on training at an offsite location. 

Space is limited and seats will be awarded on first-come first-served basis. If provided a space, you must be prepared and available to: 

  • participate fully in all days of training, as scheduled
  • attend online classes through a video conferencing platform, such as Zoom. Please ensure you have access access to a device (preferably a computer) with a stable internet connection.
  • attend in-person, hand-on training (half-day) at an off-site location within the lower mainland, as scheduled
  • follow COVID-19 safety protocols and rules in place by Vancouver Community College and/or the off-site training site and/or as directed by the Provincial Health Officer

Apply now

Register online by visiting the course webpage or call the Continuing Studies Registration Office at 604.443.8484.

To request further information, please email buildingprogram@vcc.ca. 

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