Housekeeper

Housekeepers make sure that places providing accommodation are clean, safe, welcoming and attractive. They work in hotels, conferences centres, hospitals, care homes, university halls of residence and private households.

Many housekeepers, particularly in large organisations, are in charge of a team of room attendants or cleaners. The housekeeper's duties are likely to include:

• checking that staff maintain high standards of cleanliness and that rooms are correctly serviced
• supervising and training staff and planning staff rotas
• making sure there are supplies of linen, cleaning materials, soap and shampoo
• stocktaking, paperwork and managing budgets.

Housekeepers supervise and inspect the work of their team, making sure that all tasks have been carried out and no areas have been overlooked. They also make sure that damaged or faulty items are repaired or replaced and check that all equipment is in safe working order.

In small organisations, housekeepers have a more hands-on role, possibly doing some cleaning themselves. In private households, they may be responsible for cleaning, ironing and household shopping.

The work may involve unsocial hours. Some jobs are offered on a live-in basis.

Salaries range from around £12,500 to £40,000 a year.

A housekeeper needs:

• to be an excellent organiser
• an eye for detail
• to be good at training, supporting and motivating staff
• practical management and organisation to provide high standards of service.

Many housekeepers start out with few or no formal qualifications, and it is not unusual for people to work their way up from the position of hotel/accommodation room attendant or cleaner. Some housekeepers have a Higher National Certificate/Diploma (HNC/D), foundation degree or a degree in subjects such as hospitality or hotel and catering management.

Entry is possible through an Apprenticeship in hospitality. The Diploma in hospitality may be relevant for this area of work.

Training is mainly on the job and trainees can work towards relevant qualifications, including NVQ Level 2 in housekeeping and Level 3 Award or Diploma in hospitality supervision and leadership skills.

There are good opportunities for housekeepers to progress into roles with greater responsibility, particularly in large hotel chains or within the National Health Service (NHS). Some housekeepers move into facilities management or accommodation management. Highly experienced housekeepers may move into general management or run their own hotels.

It may be possible to work abroad and there are also jobs on cruise ships.

Further details