“If you were trying to persuade youngsters and graduates to look towards the cleaning industry for a career, what would you say to them?”

I would be saying that cleaning is a fantastic career choice! I also think that I might not have to persuade many graduates about the benefits of employment in this sector. This is because some students may well already have been working in the cleaning industry while they were studying, as this part-time option allows them to earn money while learning.

One of the great advantages of a cleaning job is its flexibility when it comes to hours. Some contracts need services to be delivered before the working day begins, or after all an office building’s occupants have gone home. Daytime cleaning also continues to grow in popularity, ensuring that cleaning is fast becoming a 24-hour profession. This makes it easy to fit work around study and revision times, lectures and exams.

Cleaning can also prove to be an education in itself. Not only are there opportunities to train and gain qualifications – through recognised bodies such as BICSc and WAMITAB – there is also the chance to develop the valuable social skills for which you can’t earn a certificate. Working with team mates to deliver services, and interacting with people using the facilities while cleaning is being undertaken, enables a cleaning operative to deal with different issues and personalities.

Lastly, I would highlight the job opportunities that cleaning opens up. It is a possible route to managerial posts – overseeing operations and staff; but it also allows an operative to specialise, if that’s what they desire. Perhaps being an expert in infection control for healthcare environments appeals; or maybe you would prefer to become accomplished in delivering the rigorous hygiene standards needed for food preparation areas. Educational establishments, leisure facilities, hotels, retail outlets – all these and more require specific skills and services when it comes to cleaning.

So, the facts are clear, an entry-level job in cleaning can take you to many different places – and it could be the springboard to a fulfilling and long term career. Buildings will always need to be cleaned – and people will always need more buildings – so it’s a growth industry!

Published in Tomorrow’s Cleaning – September 2014