Practical Cleaning Skills (Awards) (7139)

Last Updated: 17 Jun 2020
These cleaning qualifications will help professional cleaners work safely and effectively and provide a high quality service. They are small, award size qualifications at Entry 3, Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 of a practical nature and they cover a variety of tasks relevant to modern cleaning operations. They cover a variety of different areas/tasks such as cleaning bathrooms, washrooms and kitchens, buffering floors, housekeeping and cleaning hazardous items.  You can choose a qualification in a specific area of cleaning to suit your requirements, or a range of qualifications that cover different areas. 
These qualifications are aimed at those working, or looking for work, as a professional cleaner, and for organisations that wish to improve the standard of their cleaning operations.
Available to deliver in the following:
  • England
  • Wales – please check QiW website for available funding
  • Scotland
  • Northern Ireland

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

General Information

What Is Involved In Studying This Course?
When studying the course you will learn how to complete the tasks to a high standard and become competent in the specific area that you are studying.  You will also learn some of the knowledge and understanding around the task.  Once you are confident that you have this knowledge and practical competence you will complete a practical assessment that is specified by City & Guilds in the assignment guide and assessed by an assessor where you complete your assessment. You may also get asked some questions around the underpinning knowledge to the practical assessment.
What Careers Can This Lead To?
These qualifications can lead to careers in professional cleaning, either working for another organisation or self employed.  It can cover a range of roles, such as working as a housekeeper, working in private homes, or working in commercial  premises such as hotels or local office businesses.
What Is Involved With Delivering This Course?
To deliver these qualifications you need staff who are occupationally competent or technically knowledge in the areas that they are teaching and assessing.  You must also provide sufficient resources to be able to assess the learners for the specified tasks in a practical environment.  Simulated working environments are acceptable provided there is sufficient space to complete the task.  Any equipment, systems and machinery used must meet relevant industry standards.

Level 1

Level 1 builds upon your introductory knowledge and experience, allowing you to develop your skills more fully.
What Careers Can This Lead To?
These qualifications can lead to careers in professional cleaning in organisations such as schools, leisure centres, hotels and restaurants.
Level 1 Award in Practical Cleaning Skills (7139-02)
Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2023

Level 1 Award in Practical Cleaning Skills (Prepare, spray clean and buff floor surfaces)

  • Accreditation No: 600/5218/1 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 3 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 24 - 24 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 30 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2025 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £31.90 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 1 Award in Practical Cleaning Skills (Prepare and clean hard floor surfaces using machinery)

  • Accreditation No: 600/5234/X This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 3 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 22 - 22 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 30 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2025 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £31.90 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 1 Award in Practical Cleaning Skills (Clean and dispose of bodily fluids, spillages and hazardous items)

  • Accreditation No: 600/5443/8 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 2 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 16 - 16 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 20 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2025 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £31.90 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 1 Award in Practical Cleaning Skills (Prepare, clean and service guestrooms and public areas)

  • Accreditation No: 600/8581/2 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 4 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 25 - 25 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 40 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2025 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £31.90 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 1 Award in Practical Cleaning Skills (Prepare and clean a food area and appliances)

  • Accreditation No: 600/8582/4 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 3 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 24 - 24 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 30 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2025 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £31.90 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 2

Level 2 builds upon your knowledge and experience, allowing you to develop your skills more fully.
What Careers Can This Lead To?
These qualifications can lead to careers in professional cleaning in organisations such as schools, leisure centres, hotels and restaurants.
Level 2 Certificate in Practical Cleaning Skills (7139-13)
Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2023

Level 2 Certificate in Practical Cleaning Skills

  • Accreditation No: 601/4264/9 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 15 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 89 - 116 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 150 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2025 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £51.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Here you can find all documents related to this suite of qualifications.

By clicking on the section headings below, you can access a variety of documents such as the qualification handbooks and assessment materials, Statements of Purpose, and recognition letters from industry and employers.

Some documents may be password protected. Passwords can be retrieved by logging in to Walled Garden and visiting the Administration section of the relevant qualification catalogue page.

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

Explore our wider maths & English offer

Our maths & English qualifications underpin our apprenticeships and technical qualifications. They build learners’ confidence with the core skills required for employment, including the capacity to problem solve and use technology effectively. They are also key to triggering conditions of funding.

Find out more

For Learners

Related Qualifications

Browse some of our related qualifications:

> (7648) Cleaning and Support Services Skills

> (7695) Cleaning Principles

> (4429) Facilities Services

> (7612) Introduction to the Facilities Industry