Using August to consider your next career move? Choose a career in the cleaning sector.
By Delia Cannings, Immediate Past Chair of the British Cleaning Council (BCC)
As summer winds down and September looms on the horizon, many people find themselves re-evaluating where they are in life and, more specifically, in their careers.
August, the most relaxed of the summer months, is a time of reflection and quiet transition for many, ahead of the pace picking up again next month.
It is one of the most common times when people begin seriously thinking about their future career direction. If that includes you, I’d urge you to consider a career in the cleaning industry.
For many young people, such as school-leavers and students who have completed their final year, summer is a period when they are trying to get their foot onto the first rung of the career ladder. All around the UK, young people are writing to prospective employers, sending in their CVs and applying for jobs, with their eyes set on embarking on a chosen career.
For those more established in their careers, the holiday season is a slower time. It is a chance for a mental reset — to assess goals, set new intentions, and tackle the final quarter of the year with renewed focus.
Many will take a break and, while on the sun lounger drink in hand, or on the beach soaking up the sun, think more deeply about their future careers.
Back at home, many industries have quieter business periods, giving workers a rare moment of breathing space and some time to plan for the future.
August is also the perfect time to prepare, as the job market tends to heat up again in September.
Whether it is polishing a CV, taking stock of transferable skills, or researching industries, many use this time to lay the groundwork for a career shift.
Whether you are looking for your first career job or thinking of a change, there are so many reasons to choose a career in the cleaning sector.
The industry can offer you job satisfaction, the opportunity to succeed in your career, rapid progression and options for part-time or flexible working.
As one of the largest industries in the UK, worth £66.9bn and employing 1.47m people, there are endless career opportunities.
The industry needs frontline, supervisory and management staff as well as people to work in support functions such as business administration, digital marketing, creative and design, distribution and much more. You could even set up your own business.
You could work in hospitality, healthcare, education, engineering, manufacturing or local government - to name just a few of the areas where sector staff work.
The cleaning industry is constantly moving forward and innovating. For example, a new, transformative initiative endorsed by the Cleaning and Support Services Association (CSSA) (www.cssa-uk.co.uk) was launched recently.
The Digital Cleaners Licence app offers a secure, portable digital identity for cleaning operatives. It is one of many examples showing how our sector has eagerly adopted the latest technologies.
The vital work of our sector and its staff in protecting people’s well-being and safety and supporting the health and wealth of the nation is becoming much more widely recognised than it used to be.
The launch of the Level 2 Cleaning Hygiene Operative apprenticeship last year has unlocked funds for employers to offer job-specific training and an industry-recognised qualification to staff, which can help you progress in your cleaning sector role. It further demonstrates how professional our industry has become.
So where can you find out about the training and career development opportunities you need to succeed in this sector, such as the CHO apprenticeship?
The answer is the UK Cleaning Career Development Zone, which brings together in one place information about the sector's education and training opportunities.