Caretaker
Caretakers look after buildings like schools, community centres and apartment blocks, keeping them secure, clean and well-maintained.
Also known as: Janitor
- Starter salary£22,000 a year
- Experienced£30,000 a year
- Typical hours38 to 42 a week
What you'll do
As a caretaker, you could:
- carry out day-to-day maintenance checks and minor repairs
- book outside contractors for major repair work
- make sure heating, lighting and alarm systems are working properly
- open up buildings in the morning and lock them at the end of the day
- keep communal areas clean and gardens neat and tidy
- order fuel, cleaning materials, new equipment and furniture as required
- take bookings if rooms in the building are available for hire
- prepare rooms for meetings or community use
- supervise other cleaning staff
Working environment
You could work in the community, at a school, at a fitness centre or at a client's business.
Your working environment may be physically active.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- the ability to use your initiative
- customer service skills
- knowledge of public safety and security
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with your hands
- excellent verbal communication skills
- a desire to help people
- ambition and a desire to succeed
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
How to become a caretaker
You can get into this job through:
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do a Property Maintenance Operative, or Facilities Services Operative, Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.
These can take between 1 and 2 years to complete.
Entry requirements
Employers will set their own entry requirements.
Direct application
You can apply directly for caretaker job vacancies. You'll need good practical skills, and some employers may ask for GCSEs in English and maths.
Experience in building maintenance, cleaning, plumbing, carpentry, electrics or gardening will be useful.
Restrictions and requirements
You'll need to:
- pass enhanced background checks
You may need a driving licence for some jobs.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could become a supervisor or move into facility services or cleaning management.
You could also work in related areas, for example commercial property maintenance or security, or as an accommodation warden with a housing association.
Guides for this industry
Related roles
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