Written by Arulnathan John
The 'Cleaning & Housekeeping' Route
to a Fulfilling Job and Successful Career
to a Fulfilling Job and Successful Career
Cleanliness is next to godliness, and there is a lot of truth in that saying.
Research from the US and the UK shows that people who work in spaces that are cleaned regularly take fewer days of sick leave compared to those in less frequently cleaned workspaces.
This is especially true during the COVID-19 pandemic, where regular cleaning and sanitisation of workspaces and equipment is critical to maintaining productivity.
If you have been thinking that a career in the Cleaning and Housekeeping industry involves domestic helpers and hotel housekeepers, your perception of the industry could not be more wrong.
The sector has undergone a series of intensive revamps and rebranding exercises.
The Cleaning and Housekeeping Industry today includes activities such as recycling and resource conservation, and treatment and disposal of local and industrial waste.
Other positions include posts such as Hazardous Waste Management Technologists, Building Maintenance Superintendents, and Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners.
This is especially true during the COVID-19 pandemic, where regular cleaning and sanitisation of workspaces and equipment is critical to maintaining productivity.
If you have been thinking that a career in the Cleaning and Housekeeping industry involves domestic helpers and hotel housekeepers, your perception of the industry could not be more wrong.
The sector has undergone a series of intensive revamps and rebranding exercises.
The Cleaning and Housekeeping Industry today includes activities such as recycling and resource conservation, and treatment and disposal of local and industrial waste.
Other positions include posts such as Hazardous Waste Management Technologists, Building Maintenance Superintendents, and Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners.
Rapid growth
In countries such as the US, UK and Singapore, the Cleaning and Housekeeping industry has experienced double-digit growth.
The Compound Annual Growth Rate for Residential Cleaning and Industrial Cleaning at 4.85 per cent and 4.17 per cent respectively.
The industry also showed a 3 per cent annual increase in employment in the UK and Singapore between 2013 and 2017.
The importance of the sector in Singapore is evident by the fact that there are more than 78,000 cleaning and waste management professionals in Singapore, working in more than 440 waste management and 1,200 cleaning companies.
Cleaning and housekeeping operations are now highly mechanised and technology and data analytics have been widely used over the years to optimise operations and make the work smarter, easier and safer.
If you are a millennial, the cleaning industry will also warm the cockles of your heart as it has become more sustainable and uses more environmentally-friendly cleaning products and processes.
This is in line with the views of eco-conscious consumers as well as the well-being of the cleaners.
The Compound Annual Growth Rate for Residential Cleaning and Industrial Cleaning at 4.85 per cent and 4.17 per cent respectively.
The industry also showed a 3 per cent annual increase in employment in the UK and Singapore between 2013 and 2017.
The importance of the sector in Singapore is evident by the fact that there are more than 78,000 cleaning and waste management professionals in Singapore, working in more than 440 waste management and 1,200 cleaning companies.
Cleaning and housekeeping operations are now highly mechanised and technology and data analytics have been widely used over the years to optimise operations and make the work smarter, easier and safer.
If you are a millennial, the cleaning industry will also warm the cockles of your heart as it has become more sustainable and uses more environmentally-friendly cleaning products and processes.
This is in line with the views of eco-conscious consumers as well as the well-being of the cleaners.
Educational qualifications
If you are interested in working in the industry, you should have at least a GCE N-level or O-level qualification.
Being computer-literate and tech-savvy is also important to be able to operate the machinery.
The most important skills for a successful career in Cleaning and Housekeeping are the following:
Salaries in the Cleaning and Housekeeping sector here usually range from $1,235 per month to over $1,854 per month*.
*based on Ministry of Manpower's Progressive Wage Model
Being computer-literate and tech-savvy is also important to be able to operate the machinery.
The most important skills for a successful career in Cleaning and Housekeeping are the following:
- Being willing to get your hands dirty
- A good work attitude
- A willingness to learn on the job
- Good communication skills as you will meet people and need to resolve complaints and issues with customers, as well as anticipate and meet their needs
Salaries in the Cleaning and Housekeeping sector here usually range from $1,235 per month to over $1,854 per month*.
*based on Ministry of Manpower's Progressive Wage Model
Courses and progression
The career progression is largely linear, progressing from a simple cleaning position to being a Cleaning or Housekeeping supervisor and then onto becoming a Cleaning or Housekeeping Manager and onto more senior positions.
The courses below are among several that will help you advance in your career.
The courses below are among several that will help you advance in your career.
- SGUnited Skills Programme in Environmental Services and ManagementThis programme covers the fundamentals of environmental sustainability, health and safety management. You will learn about standards and practices for sanitation and hygiene, as well as risk assessment and workplace safety practices.
Click here for more - SGUS Industry Certificate in Hospitality OperationsThis course introduces the key operations and systems of the industry such as front office, housekeeping, food and beverage, Property Management Systems and sales and marketing in hotel.
Click here for more - SGUS WSQ Diploma in Hotel and Accommodation and ServicesThe course provides the knowledge and skills for the participants who are interested to join or upskill in the hotel or food and beverage industry, so as to become well-rounded professionals in the hotel and food and beverage industry.
Click here for more
Make your mark by learning as much as you can about the industry by reading online resources, attending job fairs and talking to people in the same or similar positions. Also, don't forget to apply on FastJobs to get the job that you want.
Housekeeper Susana Eco loves her job and she is grateful that she is able to be able to support her two children financially.
"I feel happy when people say 'Thank you' and 'Good job, well done!'. Those compliments make me want to work harder.
'I am happiest when people appreciate your hard work and your Boss taps your back and tells you: 'Thank you!' Working in Housekeeping is tough but the longer you work the more you will love the job, trust me!"
"I feel happy when people say 'Thank you' and 'Good job, well done!'. Those compliments make me want to work harder.
'I am happiest when people appreciate your hard work and your Boss taps your back and tells you: 'Thank you!' Working in Housekeeping is tough but the longer you work the more you will love the job, trust me!"
Susana Eco, Housekeeper
Convinced? Want to look for a job in the Cleaning & Housekeeping sectors?
