Industrial cleaner

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly
• specialist courses offered by a professional body

Entry requirements:

College

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. Relevant courses include:

• Level 1 Award in Cleaning
• Level 2 Certificate in Cleaning Principles

Entry requirements:

• 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

Apprenticeship

You could specialise in working in hospitals and medical centres by doing a healthcare cleaning operative intermediate apprenticeship.

Entry requirements:

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

DirectApplication

There are no set requirements if you want to apply directly for jobs, but previous cleaning experience would be useful.

OtherRoutes

You can do specialist training through The British Institute of Cleaning Science .

Required Skills:

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

Skills:

• the ability to use your initiative
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• sensitivity and understanding
• physical skills like bending, lifting and reaching
• knowledge of public safety and security
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• customer service skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to work well with your hands
• active listening skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• a desire to help people
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• leadership skills
• business management skills
• concentration skills

What you'll do:

Industrial cleaners clear up after fires, floods and crime scenes, as well as places that need to be hygienically clean.

You couldwash out boilers, tanks and vats with high pressure hoses; remove dust and ash with industrial vacuuming equipment; decontaminate work areas and machinery; mix cleaning chemicals in the correct amounts; sandblast the outsides of building and structures; work from cradles or mobile access platforms to reach higher levels; safely store cleaning equipment and dispose of hazardous waste; clean and disinfect areas following strict standards and procedures; remove graffiti; report potential hazards to supervisors

Location : You could work at a client's business, in the community or visit sites.
Environment : Your working environment may be in conditions that some may find unpleasant, cramped, physically active, at height and involve using chemicals.
Uniform : You may need to wear protective clothing.

Salary:

Starter : £17,000
Experienced : £23,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 43 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

Career Path:

With experience, you could become a team supervisor.

You could also set up your own company to specialise in a particular type of cleaning, like flood relief or biohazards.