Caretakers are accountable for their employer’s property, which may include cleaning and upkeep. Therefore, depending on the client’s property, short-term and long-term employment is possible.
Caretakers must have organisational and interpersonal skills. In addition, they must be able to multitask and be physically capable of manual labour. Other tasks include equipment maintenance and operation and waste removal from the site.
Caretakers are expected to connect with clients frequently and report on the property’s state, including maintenance work and staff details. These reports may be issued daily, weekly, or monthly. In addition, they should be able to cooperate with other team members effectively and, if necessary, assist in training new staff.
Responsibilities
Throughout your apprenticeship, you may help:
- carry out day-to-day maintenance and minor repairs
- book outside contractors for major repair work
- make sure heating, lighting and alarm systems are working properly
- check doors and windows are locked when the building is not in use
- open up buildings in the morning and lock them at the end of the day
- order fuel, cleaning materials, new equipment and furniture as required
- take bookings if rooms in the building are available for hire
- arrange chairs and tables for meetings and clear them away afterwards
- supervise other cleaning staff.
Salary
- Starting salaries for an apprentice is £16,000 per year.
- Experienced caretakers can earn up to £22,000 per year.
Working hours
You will typically work 41 to 43 hours per week including evening and weekends on split shifts.
Working environment
You could work in the community, at a fitness centre, at a client’s business or at a school.
Your working environment may be at height.
Qualifications
Qualifications you can achieve as an apprentice caretaker include:
- Level 2 Property Maintenance Operative – Entry requirements for this level include some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship. This qualification will take 12 months to complete.
Skills
On a caretaker apprenticeship, you’ll learn:
- the ability to use your initiative
- customer service skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- sensitivity and understanding
- excellent verbal communication skills
- knowledge of public safety and security
- a desire to help people
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device.
Career path and progression
With experience, you can rise to managerial roles, work in facilities services, or supervise cleaning. You might also work in industries or occupations comparable to yours, such as commercial property maintenance or security or as a housing association accommodation warden.