Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 18th April 2024 Issue no. 1110

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Cleaning as a profession? No thanks!

Cleaners have the 'unsexiest' job in Britain - with plumbers, accountants and taxi drivers close behind. The poll of UK professions, which quizzed 2,000 people, revealed that the cleaning profession was considered the most unsexy by nearly one in three Brits (28%). This is despite the industry contributing more than £24bn to the economy and employing more than 700,000 hardworking employees across the UK.

Stan Atkins, Chair of the British Cleaning Council, says of the findings: "The cleaning sector is incredibly important to the UK economy, and without it the country would grind to a halt. From tackling litter to keeping hospitals clean, the work our members do is vital to ensure we can all live in a hygienic, healthy and safe environment.

"Further, a vast majority of cleaning operatives take great pride in their work, their professionalism, and the contribution they make to improving society.

"It's therefore disappointing that some people think the cleaning industry is 'unsexy', especially as it can offer you a very rewarding, lucrative and long-term career."

Famous cleaners include Jennifer Aniston, who spent her teens polishing toilet bowls, and Matthew McConaughey, who cleaned chicken coops.

Lucrative trade roles such as plumbers and builders came second and third on the unsexy list - with 26% and 22% of the vote respectively.

Personal trainers came out as having the sexiest job, possibly thanks to the rise in superfit bloggers and Instagram stars such as Joe Wicks, the Body Coach and former Towie star-turned fitness guru Lucy Mecklenburgh.

Lawyers came in as the second sexiest profession with 20% of the vote with doctors and nurses in joint third with 13% of the vote.

When it comes to 'sexy' status, money is the number one pull factor when people consider a career, with salary the most important thing for 42% of people.

This research was carried out for Jamie Waller's new book Unsexy Business. Jamie has collaborated with the best of British entrepreneurial spirit to inspire people to stop focusing on how glamorous a job sounds and think about the fortunes that can be made in the unsexiest of careers.

Eleven remarkable entrepreneurs contributed to the book, including Mike Clare, the founder of bed and mattress retailer, Dreams; and Charlie Mullins, who made his millions in the world of plumbing. Starting with just £35, he turned Pimlico Plumbers into a business with a £100m turnover.

Jamie says: "I want others to realise that a business doesn't have to be sexy to be successful. Although 28% of people may believe cleaning careers are unglamorous, they have the potential to be highly lucrative. Few people believed in my debt enforcement agency, JBW, but I turned £20,000 into £33million in just 12 years.

"With the rise of glamorous tech giants, everyone seems to have forgotten that some of the biggest money is made in the basic, day to day businesses that may not sound thrilling, but are hugely financially rewarding."

Unsexy Business is available now from Amazon, WHSmith, Foyles, Waterstones and independent book stores.

27th September 2018