BAMS employees take part in infection control training at UOW's South Western Sydney Campus. Photo: Paul Jones

UOW College using expertise in infection control to partner with local business

UOW College using expertise in infection control to partner with local business

Training at South Western Sydney Campus to help Liverpool company in fight against COVID-19

UOW College is helping businesses in South Western Sydney to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic by delivering a course that focuses on hygiene and infection control in the workplace.

A subsidiary of the University of Wollongong that provides vocational training and pathway courses to UOW, UOW College has partnered with BAMS Hygiene Management, a Sydney-based company, for the pilot program, in which staff members receive training in how to deep clean an office, business or home.

The two-day course uses UOW College’s expertise in infection control, based on training provided in nursing courses, to ensure participants are able to carry out deep cleaning to the highest possible standard while also knowing how to correctly use personal protective equipment.

Four staff members from BAMS Hygiene Management took part in the training this weekend (16-17 May) at UOW’s South Western Sydney campus in Liverpool.

BAMS employees take part in infection control training at UOW's South Western Sydney Campus. Photo: Paul Jones

While the majority of the course was delivered via remote platforms, the participants were on campus, in the nursing simulation labs, so the trainer was able to physically observe the participants’ use of personal protective equipment.

Felix Lanceley, General Manager of UOW College Australia, said UOW College was using its skills and expertise in infection control and first aid to pivot and respond quickly to a commercial need.

“UOW College is thrilled to be collaborating with BAMS Hygiene Management on the pilot program,” Mr Lanceley said. “The need for impeccable cleaning services has been highlighted with this global pandemic and that will only increase as more and more workplaces try to create a safe, healthy environment for their staff.

“We think the staff members at BAMS Hygiene Management will find the course very valuable and useful in responding to the challenges presented by COVID-19. We are proud to be able to offer our expertise and experience as well as our state-of-the-art nursing labs at Liverpool.

“We look forward to working with other businesses and organisations in the South Western Sydney community and beyond on this incredibly important initiative.”

BAMS employees take part in infection control training at UOW's South Western Sydney Campus. Photo: Paul Jones

Brian Zammitt, Managing Director of BAMS Hygiene Management, said the course would enable the business to be on the frontline in responding to the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are proud to partner with the University of Wollongong to create new benchmarks within the cleaning and hygiene services industry. Our partnership with UOW and UOW College will enable BAMS Hygiene Management to support the needs of our community through the pandemic created by COVID-19, as well as further infection control and preventative disinfection in the face of current and future outbreaks,” Mr Zammitt said.  

“Through our partnerships and panel of consultants we look to the future and how we can best protect our community from further infections and outbreaks. This course being delivered by UOW will allow us to undertake this task to a new standard”.

The course is able to be rolled out to other businesses and organisations throughout the state, including in South Western Sydney and the Illawarra region, to help ensure workplaces are able to prevent the spread of infection among employees.