Cleaner

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

Entry requirements:

College

You could do a college course in Cleaning or Cleaning Principles to get some of the skills and knowledge you'll need in this job.

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could do a Healthcare Cleaning Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

This is useful if you want to work in hospitals, care homes or other places that need to clean to a high standard.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

DirectApplication

You can apply for jobs with cleaning companies or any organisation that employs their own cleaners.

There are no set entry requirements, but you'll need to show that you're reliable and able to do the job.

If you're looking for specialised cleaning work such as in a medical setting, it can help to have some experience.

More information

You can find out more about careers in cleaning from the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) .

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to work on your own
• customer service skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of public safety and security
• physical fitness and endurance
• the ability to organise your time and workload
• a desire to help people
• leadership skills
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• sensitivity and understanding
• excellent verbal communication skills
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to work well with your hands
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• thinking and reasoning skills
• active listening skills
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• business management skills
• concentration skills

What you'll do:

Cleaners carry out general cleaning of offices, shops and homes, or more specialised cleaning like upholstery or the outsides of buildings.

Your tasks will depend on where you are working.

As a cleaner you could:

• clean business settings, houses or vehicles
• clean at heights using ladders or mobile access equipment
• follow infection control procedures in hospital wards and operating theatres
• maintain stock levels of cleaning products
• follow health and safety guidelines and food and hygiene regulations

Location : You could work at a client's home or at a client's business.
Environment : Your working environment may be dirty.
Uniform : You may need to wear a uniform.

Salary:

Starter : £17,000
Experienced : £24,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

32 - 43 hours variable

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends on split shifts

Career Path:

With experience you could:

• move into specialist cleaning
• progress to a supervisor or manager
• start your own business