”The cleaning industry is a career path definitely worth consideration. I have a fantastic career and the best job."
From the classroom to the cleaning industry
Before he became UK Marketing Manager for leading global manufacturer of cleaning machines the Tennant Company, Daniel Cross was at one stage a teacher, for five years.
He said: “Teaching was the hardest job I’ve ever had and I think those that stick it out as a career are absolute heroes. But the cleaning sector is an industry for people who have had another career and want to do something different.
“You can take a break, do something else and then come back, as long as you do well and earn trust.”
His current role includes preparing a marketing budget, developing a marketing plan and implementing it day-to-day as well as being reactive. He works in areas such as social media, branding, internal communications and events, often cooperating with colleagues in France, Germany and the US. He has recently passed his Level 6 Diploma in Professional Marketing.
Daniel said: “I have a fantastic career and the best job. Marketing is a mix of being logical, being good with numbers and the details of knowing, for example, how many people the fire regulations say can fit into a room at an event. You also have to be creative.
“You also need to constantly embrace new tools and methods along your career path. Ultimately I’ve gained experience in a lot of sectors and marketing is definitely the fun job, regardless of what industry you work in.”
In his own time, Daniel also promotes the industry to schools through the Cleaning and Support Services Association’s (CSSA) Clean Start initiative. He often tells pupils that there are plenty of opportunities in the sector.
Daniel said: “You can come into the industry without a degree and do well. Or if you want to be a mechanic, software developer or robot engineer, you can work for a manufacturing company like ours on scrubber dryers.“
”The cleaning industry is a career path definitely worth consideration. We need to move away from the old notion that the ‘cleaning industry’ means ‘mop and bucket’.
“The whole industry has moved on so much, with robotics and AI now being a staple part of the business and, since the Covid pandemic, the cleaning industry has proven how vital a sector it is to everyone in all parts of our lives.”