The educational laundry operated by the Keuda Group in Finland celebrated its 20th birthday last month. The group, which provides textile care qualifications as part of its vocational education and training courses, says the educational laundry is the only one of its kind in Finland.
Textile care training was introduced in 1985 at the College for Teachers of Home Economics in Järvenpää and the present laundry was completed in 1992.
The college offers include vocational qualifications in textiles and clothing, an advanced qualification in textile care and a specialist qualification for laundry technicians. It also offers training in textile care hygiene and courses on textile materials, wetcleaning, drycleaning, carpet cleaning, laundry chemicals and customer service. Refresher courses in certain subjects are also available.
Most of its adult students are already working in different laundries across Finland.
The laundry handles a range of work including student workwear, tablecloths, towels and other textiles. It also offers independent testing services.
Customers include private individuals and local businesses but one of the largest customers is the Keuda group itself, which has about 7,000 students in 12 different campus areas in seven cities.