The Sector Skills Council for the places where we live and work
Careers Advice Line 0800 056 7160
This Apprenticeship covers many aspects of professional cleaning, from mechanised street cleaning to the maintenance of hard floors.
There's more to cleaning than most people realise – cleaning staff can sometimes work at crime and accident scenes, or for the local government cleaning graffiti from the streets. They might even take charge of a large-scale clean-up, like on a festival site.
Training is an important part of this career because cleaners deal with hazardous chemicals, and sometimes with large machinery. They also need to have the right customer care skills as cleaners are often in contact with customers.
As an apprentice, you'll learn a range of cleaning techniques and skills including health and safety; working effectively with customers and others; and communication skills. Depending on your employer, you might learn how to clean food areas, confined areas, high-risk areas or the inside of passenger transport vehicles.
There are even more specialised skills – you might learn how to operate a street cleaner, or how to carry out maintenance and minor repairs. You might clean specialised electronic equipment, or use a water-fed pole system to clean windows and building façades. A huge range of things need cleaning, so you could find yourself working in a variety of places.
Level: 2
Starting salary (once qualified): £11,000
Job role: Cleaner
