BRIDGWAER College is pioneering a new national training programme aimed at improving the skills of workers in the country's laundry industry - from dry cleaners to prison launderers.
The programme is being backed by the Learning and Skills Council, which will give financial support for much of the training through the government's Train to Gain service.
Those employed in the industry will be able to work towards brand new National Vocational Qualifications at Level Two.
In the first pilot project, around 20 workers employed by laundry companies in Bath, Bristol and Exeter are undergoing training, which is taking place in-house.
When the programme is fully operational it is hoped that around 150 workers a year will achieve NVQs.
Theresa Holden, contract development manager with Bridgwater College, said: "There is a tremendous appetite within the laundry industry for training like this.
"Traditionally laundry industry workers have received training on a very ad hoc basis. This formalises it and sets a standard which we hope everyone will aspire to."
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