Industry Profile -- by Berenice Gargus

This month's issue takes you to the cleaners -- but you come back richer.

The cleaning industry offers a wide range of careers, and the staff here at nextSteps has done our best to sweep together a good sampling of them for this month's issue - some of which you might not have considered. Click through the seven article pages to meet hospital housekeeping staff and a professional housecleaner. Learn more about the woman who controls your confidence level when flying with four major airlines. Find out about schools that offer cleaning certificate programs. And be sure to check out our profile of a chimney sweep. Yes, sweeps still roam the rooftops, though not quite in the same way as those kooky dancing Brits in Mary Poppins.

Whether you're polishing a floor or washing windows in a 747, cleaning is an industry that's easy to get into and provides many jobs with varying levels of commitment.

If you're thinking short-term and don't mind routine, repetitive tasks, then housekeeping might suit you. If you're more career-minded, hospital housekeeping or garbage removal can provide a stable occupation for years to come. Depending on your definitions, there are more than 50,000 positions available in the cleaning industry in Alberta alone.

And that means there's a wide range of work to choose from, including carpet and upholstery cleaning, window washing, eavestrough clearing and disaster cleanup. Cleaners remove industrial toxins, do wastewater restoration and clean out plugged sewer pipes using a TV inspection device and auger.

They also work in industrial complexes, office buildings or institutions like schools and prisons. They might be part of a small staff at an independent dry cleaner, vehicle dealership or mobile furnace cleaning company. Or they may work alongside many others on large machines that launder uniforms, linens, diaper supplies or fur coats.

These jobs are reported to have an average occupational growth in Alberta and with more dirt piling up every day, cleaning personnel will always be needed. Still, this industry shows high turnover. Why?

"...low-skill, entry-level jobs pose a particular hazard of toxic exposure owing to the frequent use of cleaning agents, solvents, and/or other chemicals in carrying out assigned tasks. Some 7,024 occupational toxic exposures were recorded in [a] six-year study conducted in Massachusetts." (see full story)

Now, bear in mind this quote is from a website that sells an enviro-safe cleaning product, so the information should be diluted quite a bit before swallowing. Even so, they make an important point. Safe handling of chemicals is not a joke. An acquaintance - who shall remain nameless but not forgotten - was preparing to mop the floors of his local McDonalds when he got creative, thinking a mix of cleaning solutions would work better than one alone.

Within fifteen minutes the place was evacuated to save families and co-workers from the cloud of mustard gas seeping out of the mop room! The incident left the restaurant closed for several days while toxic cleanup was completed. Was his picture up on the star employee wall? Not anytime soon. Make sure your employer provides you with all the training and supplies you'll need to keep yourself and those you work with safe at all times.

And conditions will vary with the demands of the job. You may be exposed to heat from clothes dryers or have to shovel slippery sidewalks. You may be asked to do shift-work, sometimes operating commercial clothes-presses with only caffeine and scratchy fabrics to keep you alert. Generally the work is physically demanding and for some positions, you will have to lift objects weighing 10 - 25 kilos throughout your day. That's kilos, by the way, which translates as 22 - 55 pounds.

But it's paid exercise, right? Journalist Barbara Ehrenreich writes a few strong words about repetitive stress disorder caused by jobs such as cleaning and waitressing in her book Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America . She wrote it after going undercover in a number of low-wage jobs throughout the United States. Becasue of the location, the conditions and pay rates aren't exactly as they would be here in Canada, but her conclusions and observations are funny, insightful and more than a little sobering.

If you've worked in the industry, you may already know that the pay can be less than outstanding, though it depends on where and what you're cleaning. And those who stick at it longer are more likely to move into supervisory roles, where the wages are higher and the hours are, sometimes, shorter.

The 2001 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, available on the OCCinfo website, provides a great deal of information about what you can expect to be pocketing at the end of the pay period - and I don't mean those little hotel soaps, either. That's the quickest way to get yourself fired and to etch a big black mark on your future employability! Second only to mustard-gassing the customers, of course.

Hourly wages for custodians vary considerably and most Albertans in the "Janitors, Caretakers and Building Superintendents" occupational group earned from $12,100 to $66,400 per year. Those in the "Dry Cleaning and Laundry Occupations" earned from $12,700 to $28,100 per year. "Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists" earned from $26,100 to $83,800 per year. (More stats available below.) Note that it takes a fair amount to time to reach the high end of these pay ranges, and that employee benefits are not commonly offered to those in the cleaning industry.

That said, there are perks, some of which are covered in this issue's Hot Tip article. Cleaning jobs are easy to get, don't require complex skills or previous experience and have few educational prerequisites.

In fact, most custodial positions require no school at all and minimal English literacy. A grade 10 education with nominal computer skills are assets for dry cleaning workers, but for dental hygienists, post-secondary is required, as is completion of a national certification examination. Industrial cleaners might not have to show a degree to get on board with a company, but it's likely they'll need extra safety and equipment training to keep themselves afloat.

If you feel a sense of satisfaction when you finish a cleaning task, enjoy being methodical, work quickly, thoroughly and with care, and bring mental alertness to situations that might sometimes be less than stimulating, cleaning could be an industry you enjoy. Only your personal circumstances, skills and interests will help you determine if it's a career that's right for you.

A good cleaner is hard to find and companies with integrity will acknowledge, and hopefully reward, the true value of the service.

Here's a brief summary of other jobs available in this industry with links to more information from the OCCinfo career database:

Building Superintendent
Clean and maintain a building and surrounding grounds, make or coordinate repairs and renovations, keep accurate records, liaise with owners and tenants, and maintain a safe environment. Training is on the job, providing the employee has a basic understanding of safety issues and the maintenance/operation of building systems. Certification in a trade and/or first aid is a definite asset. $12,100 to $66,400 per year.

Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner
Quickly determine the complexity of the cleaning job and know which cleaning products to use for different scenarios. Provide excellent face-to-face customer relations and sales. Training is usually on the job. Must have a valid driver's license, functional language skills, and clean security checks. Employees can work toward their Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification. Recompense varies widely from $13,000 to $62,500 per year achieved by hourly wage, commission or both.

Domestic Housekeepers
May be responsible for childcare, house cleaning and laundry, shopping, running errands, and planning and preparing meals. Formal education is not as important as related abilities. Verifiable references, a clean driver's abstract, and clean criminal and child welfare checks may be necessary. Hourly wages for domestic housekeepers employed by individual families are generally low at $11,200 to $36,400 per year. Experienced housekeepers may earn up to $12 per hour.

Hazardous Waste Management Technologist
Works with industries such as pulp and paper, public works, wastewater treatment or petrochemical companies to eliminate the production of hazardous waste and to collect, transport, handle, store and dispose of toxic wastes. A combination of post-secondary education and on-the-job training is required. Salaries are generally on the lower end of $16,500 to $118,800 per year.

Kitchen Helper and Food Assembler
Dishwashers clean pots, pans, dishes and flatware as well as floors and garbages in commercial kitchens. They may sometimes help with food preparation. Training is on-the-job, though food safety education may be required. Pay is at the low end of the $11,700 to $45,700 scale. In institutions such as hospitals and nursing homes, expect $21,000 to $26,000 per year.

Pest Control Operator
Controls and prevents the spread of insects, rodents, birds and other pests that may infest private homes, restaurants, warehouses, business establishments and surrounding areas. Training is on-the-job with certification required for pesticide application and supervision. $19,600 to $34,900 per year.

Refuse Collector
Pick up non-recyclable waste materials from homes, apartment buildings and businesses either for the municipal government or for private companies. The turnover rate is low for municipal employees despite the fact the work is outdoors, can be smelly and messy and involves heavy lifting. Training is on the job. May need a medical exam, grade 12 equivalency and appropriate driver's license. Earnings are $14,500 to $43,200 per year for collectors. Refuse truck drivers earn $20,800 to $132,500 per year.

Room/Housekeeping Attendant
As part of a housekeeping team, you will clean and disinfect hotel or hospital rooms, remove trash, report damages and thefts and prove yourself trustworthy. Training is on the job with no prerequisites except character references. "Light Duty Cleaners" in Alberta can earn from $11,600 to $36,100 per year.

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator
Monitors and operates control equipment in water purification and treatment plants, wastewater facilities, sewage treatment and liquid waste plants. High school diploma must show grade 12 courses in mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics. Also need a driver's license. Applicants certified by Alberta Environment or graduates of a post-secondary program will no doubt get the sweeter jobs. Operators can earn $12 to $28 an hour.

Related careers from previous issues of nextSteps magazine:

Related info:

Calgary Hotels
Carpet Cleaners
Window Cleaners
Eavestrough Cleaning/Repair Companies