A Cleaning Technician is responsible for cleaning and maintaining facilities to a high standard. Duties include cleaning floors, surfaces and bathrooms, waste disposal, restocking supplies, and following health and safety procedures. The role supports good hygiene, infection control and creates a pleasant environment for staff and customers. On the job training is common, with opportunities to specialise in areas such as carpet cleaning or window cleaning. The work is hands on, usually performed in teams, and requires punctuality and attention to detail.
Typically between 18 000 and 22 000 pounds per year, with experienced cleaners earning up to around 26 000 pounds.
There are thousands of Cleaning Technician roles across the UK, including schools, offices, hospitals and hotels, with steady demand in both private and public sectors.
Shifts vary; common patterns include early morning, evening or night work, with part time and full time options available.
Support the day to day running of a building by carrying out basic maintenance, cleaning schedules and liaising with suppliers and management
Oversee cleaning teams, ensure compliance with health and safety standards and organise rotas and training for new staff
Coordinate cleaning services in households or small offices, manage workload and quality checks while training junior cleaners
Get hands on with core duties such as dusting, vacuuming, mopping and waste disposal to build practical competence.
Attend a local course or complete an online module on basic cleaning techniques and appropriate use of cleaning products. Practice time management to cover a standard area efficiently. Understanding common workplace rules and PPE is essential.
Learn about risk assessment, manual handling and safe chemical use to protect yourself and others.
Complete a recognised health and safety awareness module and stop any task that seems unsafe. Learn how to read safety data sheets and use PPE correctly. Practical sessions on spill response and cleaning up biohazards are useful early on.
Apply correct methods for handling cleaners, waste segregation and infection control in a controlled setting.
Shadow experienced staff to observe proper procedures and receive feedback. Create a personal checklist to ensure consistency in daily routines and document any issues for supervisor review.
Secure entry level cleaning roles to gain real world experience in diverse environments.
Aim for positions in schools, offices or hospitals to learn different cleaning regimes. Seek feedback, take on extra duties like stocking supplies or basic maintenance tasks to demonstrate reliability.
Pursue certificates in advanced cleaning methods or specialist areas such as carpet care, window cleaning or biohazard cleanup.
Look for certified courses offered by local colleges or industry bodies. These can improve job prospects and enable progression to lead or supervisory roles.
Move into supervisory duties or specialised cleaning teams with greater responsibilities.
Develop leadership and communication skills, manage teams, and coordinate workloads. Consider longer term options in facilities management or building services.
Similar role in healthcare settings focusing on cleaning patient areas, wards and facilities to meet strict hygiene standards.
Broader role within building management that may include cleaning, basic maintenance, and coordinating facilities services.
Responsible for the upkeep of a building, including cleaning, minor repairs, security, and opening closing procedures.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Cleaning Technician. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
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Both roles require strict adherence to standard operating procedures and safety protocols, with a focus on maintaining clean, controlled environments and handling basic equipment. The qualifications for a Cleaning Technician align with the technician-level training and practical, hands-on skills typical of a Laboratory technician, emphasising attention to detail, procedural compliance, and the use of common tools and equipment.
You can get into this job through:
You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a scientific subject to work as a laboratory technician.
Subjects include:
You'll usually need:
You could take a college course to help improve your chances of finding a trainee lab assistant position.
You could do a course such as:
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
You could apply for a Laboratory Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship or a Technician Scientist Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship.
These apprenticeships can take between 2 and 3 years to complete.
You'll usually need:
You can apply for work as a lab technician if you have experience in a:
You can register with a professional body linked to your area of work for career development and training opportunities.
You can find out more about becoming a laboratory technician from the Science Council and Health Careers.
Explore other careers or use our AI to discover personalised paths based on your interests.
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