Ecolab's new Facility Care Training Center. | Submitted photo



Ecolab has opened its new Facility Care Training Center in Eagan, Minn. The center offers hands-on and classroom instruction for Ecolab distributors and customers for floor care and hard surface cleaning in the higher education, commercial building, government and healthcare markets. The center is a new addition to Ecolab’s Institutional Training Center, which opened in November 2012.

“The investment Ecolab has made in the new Facility Care Training Center demonstrates the company’s commitment to serving customers and helping them protect and strengthen their brands,” said Mark Copeland, vice president of Marketing for Ecolab’s hospitality, healthcare and commercial facilities business. “We provide in-depth training to ensure that our customers and distributors are getting the most effective and efficient results from our products.”

As part of the facility care training curriculum, customers and distributors participate in classroom instruction on topics such as proper floor care, dilution control and safety, and are provided information on changes in chemical product labeling as part of OSHA’s Globally Harmonized System.

Participants also receive hands-on training in areas constructed to simulate the spaces and surfaces found in education, commercial, government and healthcare buildings. Instructors work with each participant on the proper use of products and equipment used to clean public spaces and restrooms, as well as a variety of flooring, including marble, stone, cement and conventional floor types.

“Our approach is to provide information and engage attendees in applying what they’ve learned in a real-world setting,” said Laura Swidorski, industry consultant for the program.

“We encourage active discussion and sharing in every aspect of the training, and encourage participants to keep in touch with each other to work through challenges and share best practices. So far, the reviews of this approach have been very positive.”

Ecolab’s 51,000-square-foot Institutional Training Center opened in the fall of 2012, and during its first year of operation, more than 2,000 people underwent training at the facility. The center features classrooms outfitted with the most commonly installed equipment in warewashing, laundry, housekeeping, and pool and spa operations. Wet labs within the facility simulate daily situations in commercial kitchen and laundry facilities with fully operational dishmachines, three-compartment sinks, washing machines and dryers.