Cleaning Operative – Cleaning Careers
Want to join the team of heroes helping keep the world safe? Why not think about a role in facility management and join the cleaning and hygiene sector?
Cleaning/ Hygiene Operative careers: What’s involved
The career of a cleaning operative can fit the needs of so many different people, so why not see where the industry can help you?
How much money can you earn as a Cleaning Operative?
These LMI Job Trends give you a sneak peek of how much you could earn starting out for this career, and how much your salary could grow with experience.
Salary guide for Cleaning / Hygiene jobs
Recent labour market information suggests that the average salary of a cleaning operative is £21,069.57 per annum.
On average you can earn between £19,000 and £26,000 a year as a cleaning operative in the UK
Your starting salary can vary because of factors like level of experience, training, location or the size of the company. Your salary will increase over time as you build skills, knowledge and experience.
Cleaning and facility management career FAQs
To progress your role more speedily, or, to gain insight into these fantastic roles, why not take a look at some of the great training offerings that are out there?
Some examples include:
- BICSc Licence to Practice Qualification
- Certificate in Cleaning and Support Services Skills
- Certificate in Cleaning Principles (RQF)
You can find out more with the British Institute of Cleaning Science.
You can also try out these amazing FREE certified courses to build your CV!
Assistant Technical Specialist Kelsey Hargreaves is a young person who has got far in the world of cleaning, hygiene and facility management. She shares her top reasons for getting into the world of cleaning after university, and her reasons might inspire you too:
- I wanted to help create safer environments
- I wanted to help give people opportunities
- I enjoyed working alongside hard working people
- I wanted a career in an industry that was trying to solve environmental issues
- I wanted a career where I could develop
- I wanted to work in an industry that was diverse and vibrant
- I wanted a career where I would be listened to
Domestic cleaning used to be called the ‘invisible industry’ but times are changing because it is such a huge market. It is now getting the benefit of more attention, better resources, and more support and development for your career.
Becoming a Chartered Practitioner in Environmental Cleaning involves one of two routes and is great recognition of your achievements in the industry as you grow in experience.
If you’re wondering just how big the UK cleaning industry is – and who can help you get ahead – then check out this megalist of organisations in the sector and how they can help you get ahead.
Skills you need to become a Cleaning / Hygiene Operative
Useful skills to put in your CV:
- Great communication skills – (for friendly and knowledgeable customer service). You may be dealing with service users in your role, so it’s great to understand how to communicate with people!
- An eye for detail – even the smallest things need to be kept free of contamination. Paying attention to detail will help you be the best that you can at your job!
- A level of physical fitness and endurance – cleaning operations is a very active part of the cleaning industry and certain cleaning operative roles can require you to be physical for an amount of time. It is important that you feel comfortable in your role.
- Organisation – during your normal day you will be following schedules and being reactive to the work environments you are working in. Having an ability to organise your workload and your equipment really can set you out as a true cleaning champion!
Top Skills-boosting Tips
Do some personal research into how the cleaning industry puts a big focus on safety, health and the environment. They are all really important in the world of cleaning!
How Do You Get These Skills?
Vocational qualifications and work experience will help you build these skills over time.
Build Your Skills With the FREE Young Professional Programme
What Qualifications & Training Do You Need For Cleaning Operative Careers?
Qualifications and training
In many cleaning operative roles, you do not require any formal qualifications to become a cleaning operative, but having a certain level or numeracy and language skills may help you get hired by employers (who may set aptitude tests as part of their recruitment process). It’s useful to have GCSEs in grades 9-4 (A*-C) in English, maths and a science subject.
However, many of the employers within the cleaning industry will help you gain these qualifications if this is something you are interested in pursuing!
To progress your role more speedily, or, to gain insight into these fantastic roles, why not take a look at some of the great training offerings that are out there?
- BICSc Licence to Practice Qualification
- Certificate in Cleaning and Support Services Skills
- Certificate in Cleaning Principles (RQF)
Who can help?
Many professional bodies also offer a range of training opportunities, including activities that count towards continuing professional development (CPD). Find out more below:
The British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc)
BICSc is the largest independent, professional, and educational body within the cleaning industry providing training and education, setting standards and procedures for cleaning. BICSc membership now stands at over 55,000 individual and corporate members in the UK and Internationally.
The Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM)
The Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) is the body for workplace and facilities professionals. IWFM empower and enable workplace and facilities professionals to expand their potential and have rewarding, impactful careers. The IWFM was established in 2018. It builds on the proud heritage of 25 years of the British Institute of Facilities Management.
What Work Experience Do You Need For Cleaning / Hygiene Jobs?
Work experience can be very useful for this role, but some background information into what you can expect is great too! Why not attend a work experience day?
You can also have a look at some of the ‘industry insight’ videos. There is much more to the role of a cleaning operative than damp wiping a table!
What Does A Cleaning / Hygiene Operative Do?
You will be part of a vibrant and diverse industry that works tirelessly every day to help keep people in safe and hygienic environments! Your specific job requirements may change depending on what part of the industry you work in!
In all parts of the industry you can expect to:
- Carry out all cleaning tasks, as instructed, to an acceptable standard and in accordance with company/ site work instructions.
- Liaise daily with your supervisor or Manager reporting to them any information or occurrences relevant to the service your team are providing.
- Carry out tasks relating to cleaning, these tasks may involve specialist equipment and machinery!
- Strict understanding and adherence to the health and safety policies and risk assessments in place – this helps you keep being a hero and keeps others around you safe!
- Maintain all equipment used in a clean, tidy and safe condition.
- Undertake any training deemed relevant to the position and keep informed with changes that impact your role, the environment you work and the standard in which you follow.
How To Find Cleaning / Hygiene Operative Jobs: Next Steps
To find jobs for young people in this role, search on jobs boards for early career roles and opportunities with these words in the title:
- Cleaning operative
- Hygiene operative
- Domestic Assistant
- Housekeeper
- Facilities assistant
- Scout
You can also take a look at our database of local opportunities to see if there are any relevant jobs, work placements, or careers events and workshops to help you get started.
Get Into Cleaning Careers With Caring Employers
These employers and organisations are here to help. They care about your potential and desire to learn, not just your qualifications and experience. They may be able to offer traineeships, apprenticeships, graduate schemes, first jobs, careers advice, wellbeing support and much more.
Cleaning and Facility Management Career Tips & Opportunities
Careers in Cleaning - Your Stories
Cleaning and Facility Management Career Guides
View job descriptions with average UK salary, useful qualifications and a variety of routes into this career.
See All Our Caring Employers
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