Apprenticeship on compass as education or training concept (3D Rendering)


ISSA, The Association for Cleaning and Facility Solutions, is proud to announce the creation of its Cleaning Technician Registered Apprenticeship Program. This achievement brings the cleaning profession into the national apprenticeship framework for the first time.

Recently approved by the U.S. Department of Labor, ISSA's Cleaning Technician Registered Apprenticeship Program is a structured workforce-development pathway designed to prepare individuals for professional careers in cleaning and facility services across commercial, institutional, and industrial environments. The program combines on-the-job learning with nationally recognized education and certification, giving apprentices portable credentials and a clear career pathway while providing employers with a consistent, skilled talent pipeline.

"The cleaning industry keeps schools, hospitals, businesses, and communities healthy and safe. Our workers deserve the same professional recognition that other skilled trades have long enjoyed,” says ISSA Vice President of Government and Public Affairs John Nothdurft.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employers receive $1.47 for every $1 invested in apprenticeships through improved productivity, lower turnover, and reduced recruitment costs. Additionally, 97 percent of employers using registered apprenticeships report increased worker productivity, and 92 percent report improved employee engagement and retention. 

ISSA's Registered Apprenticeship directly addresses labor shortages and workforce development gaps by offering a competency-based, nationally vetted program that emphasizes safety, infection prevention, and professional standards.

For apprentices, the program offers a nationally recognized credential, progressive wage increases, a structured path to supervisory roles, and access to financial support—including 529 plans, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding, and state tax credits. Employers in certain states may also be eligible for tax credits to offset the cost of qualified educational expenses and wages for each apprentice at their organization.

The Cleaning Technician Registered Apprenticeship is a one-year, competency-based program featuring a combination of structured training and applied workplace experience; nationally recognized curriculum and certifications; and a focus on safety, infection prevention, and professional standards.