Cleaners

What they do?

A. Light duty cleaners clean hotels, motels, schools, and private residences. They make beds, change linen, clean/disinfect kitchens, bathrooms, operating rooms, and other hospital areas.

B. Chimney cleaners operate industrial vacuum cleaners and use hand tools to clean chimneys/fireplaces.

C. Furnace and ventilation system cleaners clean furnace filters, ducts, and vents.

D. Sandblasters operate sandblasting, pressurized steam, and hydroblasting equipment to clean building exteriors, tanks, and industrial equipment.

E. Vehicle cleaners operate equipment, or work by hand, to clean the interiors/exteriors of railway cars, buses, street cars, subway cars, and automobiles.

F. Janitors, caretakers, and building superintendents clean and maintain the interiors/exteriors of buildings/surrounding grounds. Building superintendents are usually responsible for the operation of the establishment and may supervise others. They may advertise vacancies, show apartments/offices to prospective tenants, and collect rents.

Where they find work?

1. Administrative and support waste management and remediation services - 32.0%
2. Health care and social assistance - 12.0%
3. Accommodation and food services - 12.0%
4. Educational services - 10.0%
5. Other services (except public administration) - 7.0%
6. Real estate and rental and leasing - 6.0%
7. Retail trade - 4.0%

What education do I need?

1. Certain types of cleaners may need a high school diploma.

2. To be a light and specialized cleaner, you do not need any formal education. You usually receive on-the-job training and may need experience in specialized cleaning activities. For some employers, you may need certification for housekeeping room attendants or similar certification.

3. To be a janitor, caretaker or building superintendent, you may need previous cleaning/maintenance experience. To be a building superintendent, you may need a journeyman/woman certificate in one of more of the trades or a building operator certificate.

4. With additional training/experience, you may move up the ranks to become a supervisor.

5. Most recent entrants have a community college diploma, and almost 3 in 10 have a trade/vocational certificate.

High School Subject that will help:

1. English
2. Family Studies and/or Industrial Arts

What can you expect to make:

The average hourly wages for Cleaners is $12.08/HR, which is close to the average for occupations in the sale and service sector and are close to the average for all labouring and elemental occupations. These wages grew at a below-average rate from 2002 to 2004.

Unemployment:

7% of Cleaners are unemployed. This rate is close to the average for labouring and elemental occupations.

Current Job Outlook:

The job outlook for Cleaners is considered Below Average because:

1. Employment grew at an average rate.

2. Hourly wages ($12.08) are below the average ($18.07), and the rate of wage growth is also below average.

3. The unemployment rate (7%) is close to the 2004 average (7%).

Future Job Prospects:

Your job outlook will continue to be Below Average because:

1. The employment growth rate will likely be below average.

2. Although the retirement rate will likely be average, the number of retiring workers should contribute to job openings.

3. The number of job seekers will likely match the number of job openings.

Highest Concetration:

The highest concentrations (per 10,000 people) of are found in Alberta and Prince Edward Island while the lowest concentrations are in New Brunswick and Newfoundland.

Unionization Rate:

The unionization rate (38%) is close to the average (32%) for all occupations.

Useful Experience:

1. Dealing with the public

2. Following directions

3. Customer service

Age Demographics

Age Demographics:

Self Employed

Self Employed:

Men vs Women

Men vs Women: