QHSE Manager – Cleaning Careers
Want to join the team of heroes helping keep the world safe? Why not think about a role as a QHSE Manager in the cleaning and hygiene sector?
QHSE Manager careers: What’s involved
QHSE managers were once referred to as HS managers ‘health and safety manager’ but as time has gone on their role expanded into the now QHSE Manager ‘quality, health, safety and environment manager’.
Being a QHSE manger means you will be expected to reinforce all aspects of safety, including environmental and quality, and ensure that standards are maintained and improved.
How much money can you earn as a QHSE Manager?
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 QHSE Manager jobs
Recent labour market information suggests that the average salary of a QHSE Manager is £35,000 per annum.
On average you can earn between £22,000 – £50,000 a year as QHSE Manager 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 QHSE Manager
Being a QHSE Manager requires quite a few different skills, a mixture of analytical and practicable skills.
Useful skills to put in your CV:
- Leadership skills: Are essential for any kind of management role, you need to have the ability to help motivate and direct your team in the direction they need to go to achieve goals and complete tasks.
- Communication: Communication will be key to this role, you will be responsible to convey important information with employees, clients, and suppliers. With effective communication you will be able to build trust and develop professional relationships which will make the job easier.
- Problem-solving: It is your responsibility as the QHSE manager to identify and address any issues you may find and to keep the work environment safe. You will be required to think on your feet and deal with any problems safely and efficiently.
- Critical thinking: Critical thinking is about being able to see the bigger picture. In this job you will face situations where you will have to evaluate and analyse facts and information presented to you and make a judgement based on this information.
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 QHSE Manager Careers?
You do not need a degree to become a health and safety manager but you will be required to have the correct training. Here are some options to explore.
Apprenticeships
An advanced apprenticeship as a Safety, Health, and Environment Technician would take about 24 months to complete and would allow you to become a technical member of the ‘Institute of Occupational Safety and Health’ and an affiliate member of the ‘Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment’.
The entry requirements for an apprenticeship are usually 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) A levels or equivalent.
Training
You can complete a degree or postgraduate diploma which is recognised by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).
It is also possible to gain healthy and safety qualifications whilst you are already working. If this is something that could benefit the business you are working for, they may pay for you to complete the qualification.
This is something you could do on either a part-time or full-time basis. On these courses you will cover health and safety in the workplace, risk assessments, accident investigations and other regulations. These courses can be found through:
University
You usually need 2 to 3 A levels or equivalent to do a degree. If you wish to enrol in a postgraduate course, a degree in any subject will get you onto the course.
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 QHSE Manager Jobs?
Having the relevant experience within this field would be beneficial, especially in the field you want to become a QHSE manager in e.g., engineering, construction, cleaning etc.
A way to get you off the starting line is if you volunteered your services and were able to shadow somebody within this role, so you can gain on the job knowledge.
Here are some websites to assist you:
What Does A QHSE Manager 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!
Within this job role it is possible to move up within the business. Some people find themselves moving away from the business to start their own QHSE consulting business. Some QHSE managers go into a specific field either food safety or environmental health and safety and focus on this.
In all parts of the industry you can expect to:
- Develop safety policies and procedures
- Advise and train staff on health and safety practices
- Regular inspections to check policies and procedures and ensure they are implemented
- Carry out risk assessments and consider how to reduce risks
- Investigate and record accidents in the workplace
- Work with relevant inspectors and trade unions
- Keep up to date with new legislations
- Produce management reports and bulletins
- Advise on a range of specialist area, e.g., fire regulations hazardous substances, noise, safeguarding machinery, and occupational diseases.
How To Find QHSE Manager Jobs: Next Steps
Sites for finding QHSE Manager jobs include:
You can 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.
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