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Caretaker/Maintenance Person

Do you want to become a Caretaker/Maintenance Person? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

Job Description - Print Page

Caretakers are responsible for the care and upkeep of buildings and their grounds, including schools, offices, leisure centres, community centres, housing estates and flats.

Their exact role depends on the size and type of building in their charge, but may include:

• general maintenance
• dealing with outside contractors such as plumbers
• managing a budget and new equipment
• security
• managing other staff such as assistant caretakers and cleaners.

Many local authorities employ mobile caretakers who provide a service to a number of different sites.

Caretakers usually work a 37 hour week, which may include early mornings, evenings and weekends. They could be on call 24 hours a day.

The work can be both indoors and outdoors. Caretakers can expect to be active for most of the working day.

A caretaker's starting salary is around £10,000 a year. Senior caretakers may earn £25,000 a year.

Caretakers should:

• be responsible, honest and reliable
• be practical and good with their hands
• stay calm in an emergency, eg if there is a break-in or a fire
• have good verbal communication skills
• understand safe working practices and health and safety legislation
• be flexible and enjoy a varied routine, as days can rarely be planned
• be reasonably fit.

There are opportunities across the UK. Employers include local authorities, industrial companies, churches, private clubs, other companies and private individuals.

Caretakers do not need qualifications, but some GCSEs/S grades (A-E/1-5), especially English and maths, would be useful.

The level of training varies and will usually take place on the job, under the supervision of an experienced person.

Promotion prospects are limited and may involve moving to larger premises.

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