Careers in Cleaning: The Sky’s the Limit 

The cleaning industry offers fantastic career progression and broad opportunities for all genders. Claire Fields, our Strategic Partnerships Director at OCS, highlights the evolving role of cleaning professionals, especially post-COVID-19. Cleaning has transformed from a basic service to a critical frontline role in maintaining public health and safety.

Fields emphasises that the industry is non-gender specific, welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds and skill levels. She shares her personal journey into the outsourced cleaning industry, underscoring the significant career advancements available. With the right skills and attitude, one can progress from entry-level cleaning jobs to managerial roles, demonstrating that the sky truly is the limit in the cleaning sector.

Specific Career Paths in the Cleaning Industry:

• Residential Cleaner: Focuses on cleaning private homes and apartments, offering services such as deep cleaning, organising, and eco-friendly cleaning.
• Commercial Cleaner: Maintains cleanliness in office buildings, retail stores, restaurants, and hotels. This role often involves working outside regular business hours.
• Healthcare Cleaner: Specialises in cleaning hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities, ensuring strict hygiene standards to prevent the spread of infections.
• Industrial Cleaner: Handles cleaning in industrial settings like factories and warehouses, often dealing with heavy-duty cleaning tasks and hazardous materials.
• Janitor: Provides routine cleaning for schools, offices, and public buildings, including tasks like mopping, vacuuming, and waste disposal.
• Specialised Cleaner: Offers niche services such as carpet cleaning, window washing, or post-construction cleaning, often requiring specialised equipment and training.
• Cleaning Supervisor/Manager: Oversees cleaning staff, manages schedules, and ensures quality standards are met. This role often requires experience and leadership skills.

With these diverse career paths, individuals can find cleaning jobs that match their interests and skills, making the cleaning industry a dynamic and rewarding field to work in. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance, there are numerous cleaning jobs available that can lead to a fulfilling career.