Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
•   Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
•   Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Working Life

The Accommodation Assistant performs day-to-day duties related to the upkeep of rooms and equipment, service of meals in guest bedrooms and other room services such as laundry facilities. Accommodation assistants may also be referred to as ‘room attendants’.

Duties usually include: making beds and changing bed linen, vacuuming floors of rooms, hallways and lobby, general cleaning of guest rooms, and reporting any problems to the maintenance department. The hygiene and cleanliness of the room is a primary concern for guests, so you will need to be extremely thorough and ensure that all toiletries and towels are stocked. Some tasks will not be daily, but perhaps weekly, such as cleaning and shampooing the furniture and carpets.

You may be using a range of specialist equipment, and you will be trained to use heavy-duty equipment and cleaning agents.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Keep storage areas and carts well-stocked, clean, and tidy.
• Carry linens, towels, toilet items, and cleaning supplies, using wheeled carts.
• Clean rooms, hallways, lobbies, lounges, restrooms, corridors, elevators, stairways, locker rooms, and other work areas so that health standards are met.
• Empty wastebaskets, empty and clean ashtrays, and transport other trash and waste to disposal areas.
• Sweep, scrub, wax, or polish floors, using brooms, mops, or powered scrubbing and waxing machines.
• Replenish supplies, such as drinking glasses, linens, writing supplies, and bathroom items.
• Clean rugs, carpets, upholstered furniture, and draperies, using vacuum cleaners and shampooers.
• Wash windows, walls, ceilings, and woodwork, waxing and polishing as necessary.
• Dust and polish furniture and equipment.
• Disinfect equipment and supplies, using germicides or steam-operated sterilisers.

Further Information

• Accommodation Warden- from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

This is an entry level job which typically does not require specific training or experience. Any knowledge or training needed is generally provided on-the-job, by working alongside an experienced staff member for a period of time.

Key Skill Certificates

Manual Handling Certificate from the Health and Safety Authority.

These courses may be available at low or no cost in FET centers nationwide. You can search for these key skills certs, just add the key word via Search our FET CourseFinder

Training & Development

If you want to progress in the hospitality sector, hotels and other establishments often provide opportunities to do so for ambitious staff members.

You may progress to work as a supervisor or accommodation manager position. But you can also advance to other roles within a hotel, such as receptionist, or reservations agent, or perhaps as a waiter in the bar or restaurant of the hotel.

Enter the course titles below into the search field to find courses in your area Search our FET CourseFinder

• Manual Handling
• CleanPass
• Hospitality
• Reception 
• Supervisory & Management

You have many options and you can boost your chances of progressing by doing courses at further and higher education levels. You can explore opportunities in the sector via Tourism & Hospitality sector overview.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €25k - €35k

Varies depending on employer, duties, seniority, experience, role and location.

Data Source(s):
Excel/ Indeed

Last Updated: March, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Housekeepers; related occupations Cleaning; housekeeping managers and supervisors.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Although employment numbers increased since 2021, they remain too low for detailed analysis.

• Fáilte Ireland

  • Amiens Street, Dublin 1
  • (01) 884 7700
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Hotels Federation

  • 13 Northbrook Road, Dublin 6
  • 01 497 6459
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Self Catering Federation

  • +353 (0) 47 32042
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here