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Highways cleaner

Alternative titles for this job include Street cleaner

Highways cleaners keep footpaths, green spaces and streets clean, and deal with litter, graffiti, and items left by the public.

Average salary (a year)

£18,000 Starter

to

£21,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

36 to 38 a week

You could work

early mornings on a rota

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Highways cleaner

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • applying directly

College

You could do a college course that will teach you some of the skills for this job. Relevant courses include:

  • Level 1 Award in Cleaning
  • Level 2 Certificate in Cleaning Principles

Entry requirements

There are no set entry requirements for this route.

More Information

Direct Application

You can apply directly for jobs. There are no set entry requirements, although you may need a driving licence to operate road sweeping vehicles.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • customer service skills
  • physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
  • the ability to work well with others
  • knowledge of public safety and security
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to operate and control equipment
  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You may need a C1 licence in some jobs to drive service trucks up to 7.5 tonnes.

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

You may:

  • drive street cleaning vehicles
  • use cleaning machines and hand tools such as brushes
  • clear drains and gullies
  • use a pressure washer to clean paved areas
  • remove litter, graffiti and fly posters
  • use specialist machines to remove chewing gum from pavements
  • clean equipment at the end of each day

Working environment

Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With qualifications and experience you could progress to become a supervisor or manager.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a Highways cleaner right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Certificate in Cleaning and Support Services Skills

  • Provider: CITY COLLEGE PLYMOUTH
  • Start date: 01 June 2025
  • Location: PLYMOUTH

Certificate in Cleaning and Support Services Skills

  • Provider: CITY COLLEGE PLYMOUTH
  • Start date: 01 March 2025
  • Location: PLYMOUTH
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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