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- Requires practical DIY skills to carry out minor repairs, and awareness of health, safety, security and hygiene issues
- With experience, become a supervisor or move into cleaning management
- Option to work in related areas or roles, for example commercial property maintenance
Caretakers help maintain a company's building and/or grounds, ensuring a safe, clean, and pleasing environment for workers and clients. They perform a variety of tasks, such as clearing rubbish, performing seasonal maintenance, gardening, and handling "touch-ups" to property.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Supervising cleaning staff
- Carrying out day-to-day maintenance and minor repairs
- Booking outside contractors for major repair work
- Making sure that heating, lighting and alarm systems are working properly
- Making sure that doors and windows are locked when the building is not in use
- Checking the premises to guard against vandalism or break-ins
- Opening up the building in the morning and locking it at the end of the day
- Arranging chairs and tables for meetings and clearing away afterwards
- Ordering fuel, cleaning materials, new equipment and furniture
- Taking bookings if rooms in the building are available for hire
- You may also have minibus driving duties
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
Subsidised or free on-site accommodation is sometimes offered. You may have split shifts, covering early mornings and evenings with time off during the day. As a mobile caretaker, you'll work from a specially equipped van. Some of your work could be physically demanding. You may also need to work at height, using ladders.
You'll need
Becoming a caretaker requires DIY skills to carry out minor repairs, and awareness of health, safety, security and hygiene issues.
There are no set requirements, but some employers may prefer you to have GCSEs in English and maths. You may also need basic computer skills or a driving licence for some jobs. You may be able to do a property maintenance intermediate apprenticeship.
It would help if you have relevant experience, like working in building maintenance, cleaning, gardening or security. A plumbing or electrical qualification may also be useful but not essential.
You'll need Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance to work in schools.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience, you could become a supervisor or move into cleaning management. You could also work in related areas or roles, for example commercial property maintenance or as an accommodation warden with a housing association.