Occupational Profile

Housekeeping Attendant

Housekeeping attendants keep hotels, motels, clubs, dormitory rooms and associated lobbies, halls and banquet rooms neat, clean and well stocked.

Easy Reading Profile

Avg. Salary $27,666.00
Avg. Wage $16.23
Minimum Education Varies
Outlook Up

Also Known As

Caretaker, Chambermaid, Cleaner, Hotel Housekeeper, Housekeeper, Light Duty Cleaner

NOC & Interest Codes

The Housekeeping Attendant is part of the following larger National Occupational Classification (NOC).

Light Duty Cleaners NOC 6661

Light Duty Cleaners

NOC code: 6661

METHODICAL: Interest in copying instructions to clean lobbies, hallways, offices and rooms of hotels, hospitals, schools, office buildings and private residences, and to disinfect operating rooms and other hospital areas
OBJECTIVE: Interest in handling equipment to sweep, mop, wash, wax and polish floors, and to vacuum carpeting and area rugs, draperies and upholstered furniture
innovative: Interest in inspecting surfaces and objects for dust, dirt and grease to determine appropriate cleaning products to use

Reading Interest Codes

A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn More

Duties

Updated Mar 28, 2017

Duties and responsibilities vary from one place of employment to another but, in general, housekeeping attendants:

sweep and mop floors or vacuum carpets
dust and polish furniture, and keep it arranged properly
vacuum draperies and upholstered furniture
empty ashtrays and garbage containers
sort, count, mark and fold linens
make beds or change bedding
scrub, disinfect and polish bathroom fixtures
replace towels, soap and other supplies
report damage, theft and articles they find to the executive housekeeper or supervisor
observe precautions required to protect hotel and guest property
keep storage areas and carts well stocked, clean and tidy.

In hotels and motels, housekeeping attendants may clean lobbies, halls and banquet rooms as well as guest rooms. They generally are responsible for:

cleaning carpets and floors
shampooing carpets and upholstered furniture
hanging draperies
changing light bulbs
collecting soiled linens and garbage
receiving and storing linens
moving furniture.

In some establishments, housekeeping attendants may be responsible for setting up banquet and meeting rooms, or making minor repairs.

Working Conditions

Updated Mar 28, 2017

Housekeeping attendants work shifts that include weekends and holidays. They are required to push, pull and lift items weighing up to 20 kilograms.

Strength Required Lift up to 20 kg

Skills & Abilities

Updated Mar 28, 2017

Housekeeping attendants need to possess:

good health and stamina (to maintain a rigorous pace of manual work)
good grooming and conservative appearance (their presentation reflects on the establishment)
a friendly attitude
good attention to detail
good communication skills
an ability to work co-operatively with a variety of other employees.

They should enjoy having clear rules and guidelines for their work, and using cleaning equipment.

Educational Requirements

Updated Mar 28, 2017

There are no specific education requirements for housekeeping attendants. Training generally is on the job. Employers may require character references that indicate job applicants are honest and trustworthy.

For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.

Certification Requirements

Updated Mar 28, 2017

Certification is not required, as there is currently no legislation regulating this occupation.

However, Tourism HR Canada (formerly the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council or CTHRC) offers voluntary Housekeeping Room Attendant certification that is recognized in the tourism and hospitality industry across Canada. Certification training is accessible from the emerit website.

Additional voluntary certifications related to line employees are also available from the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). For example, they offer a program that leads to the Certified Guestroom Attendant credential.

Employment & Advancement

Updated Mar 28, 2017

Above-average occupational growth is expected in Alberta for 2016 to 2020. Job openings are a result of employment turnover and newly created positions.

Housekeeping attendants are employed in hotels, motels, clubs and dormitories. Employment may be seasonal.

With experience, housekeeping attendants may move into other jobs in the tourism industry. Those who have supervisory experience and a high school diploma (or are willing to upgrade their education) may advance to executive housekeeper and management positions.

Housekeeping attendants are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 6731: Light duty cleaners. In Alberta, 81% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

Business, Building and Other Support Services (PDF)
Accommodation and Food Services (PDF)
Health Care and Social Assistance (PDF).

The employment outlook (PDF) in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
location in Alberta
employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions)
size of the occupation.

Over 30,500 Albertans are employed in the Light duty cleaners occupational group. This group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2.3% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 702 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As housekeeping attendants form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for housekeeping attendants.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Wage & Salary

Updated Mar 28, 2017

Housekeeping attendants are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 6731: Light duty cleaners.

According to the 2015 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Light duty cleaners occupational group earned on average from $14.99 to $17.62 an hour. The overall average wage was $16.23 an hour. For more information, see the Light duty cleaners wage profile.

Related High School Subjects

Health, Recreation and Human Services
- Tourism