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Housekeeper

Alternative titles for this job include Housekeeping manager, head housekeeper

Housekeepers organise hotel staff to make sure that all the rooms are kept clean and tidy.

Average salary (a year)

£14,500 Starter

to

£25,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 40 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How to become a Housekeeper

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

College

You could take a college course to get some of the skills needed in this job. Courses include:

  • Level 2 Certificate in Hospitality and Catering Principles (Housekeeping)
  • Level 2 Certificate in Hospitality Industry Skills (Housekeeping)
  • Level 3 Award in Hospitality Supervision and Leadership Principles

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D) for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) for a level 3 course

More information

Apprenticeship

You can get into this job through a hospitality supervisor advanced apprenticeship. 

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More information

Work

You may be able to work your way up from room attendant or floor manager, if you show you have the necessary skills.

More information

Career tips

You might have an advantage if you have a background in customer service, cleaning or portering.

Further information

You'll find more details about housekeeping careers through the Hospitality Guild.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • persistence and determination
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • customer service skills
  • knowledge of human resources and employment law
  • business management skills
  • being able to use a computer terminal or hand-held device may be beneficial for this job.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day tasks may include:

  • preparing shift rotas and allocating daily cleaning duties to room attendants
  • inspecting rooms to make sure that standards have been met
  • recording any faults or damage and making arrangements for repairs
  • recruiting, training and supervising staff
  • working closely with other department heads and the general manager

Working environment

You could work in a hotel, at a health spa or at a fitness centre.

Your working environment may be physically demanding.

Career path and progression

You could progress to head housekeeper or accommodation manager.

You could move into a related hotel job, like front-of-house manager, training manager, or domestic services management.

Training opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Bar Supervisor

  • Wage : £126.00 - £234.90 Weekly
  • Location: Worcester WR1 3HB

Crown Carveries - Bar/Restaurant Supervisor – Advanced Apprenticeship

  • Wage : £249.90 Weekly
  • Location: Blackburn BB1 3LS
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

diploma in housekeeping

  • Provider: Marson Garages (Wolstanton) Limited
  • Start date: 01 February 2019
  • Location: Newcastle under Lyme

Housekeeping Apprenticeship (Intermediate Level 2)

  • Provider: Blackburn College
  • Start date: 03 September 2019
  • Location: BLACKBURN
Find courses near you

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