Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
•   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.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   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.
•   Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
•   Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Working Life

Dry cleaning managers work in dry-cleaning shops and industrial laundries. They supervise the work of dry-cleaning and laundry assistants and make sure that the business runs efficiently and profitably.

A manager's day-to-day work depends on whether they work in a dry cleaning shop or an industrial laundry.

In a shop, there will be fewer staff to supervise and frequent direct contact with customers. Also, the manager may have a more 'hands-on' role, doing the same things as the other staff.

The manager must deal with customer issues and solve their problems. In an industrial laundry, the manager will have more staff to supervise and organise into shift systems. Most of their contact with customers and suppliers may be by phone.

In large laundries, managers might specialise in areas such as production, transport, work scheduling, training or general management. They may work on securing contracts and maintaining a good relationship with hotel groups, restaurants, hospitals and other potential key clients.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading.
• Start washers, dry cleaners, driers, or extractors, and turn valves or levers to regulate machine processes and the volume of soap, detergent, water, bleach, starch, and other additives.
• Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation.
• Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so.
• Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them.
• Clean machine filters, and lubricate equipment.
• Examine and sort into lots articles to be cleaned, according to color, fabric, dirt content, and cleaning technique required.
• Receive and mark articles for laundry or dry cleaning with identifying code numbers or names, using hand or machine markers.
• Apply bleaching powders to spots and spray them with steam to remove stains from fabrics that do not respond to other cleaning solvents.
• Determine spotting procedures and proper solvents, based on fabric and stain types.

Further Information

• Dry-Cleaner- 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.

There are varied entry qualifications required, but managers are usually promoted after working as dry cleaning assistants for some time as practical skills or previous experience of working in a laundry, cleaning or dry cleaning environment are beneficial. Other customer services & management related roles can also be a good entry into this career.

If you work for a large company or part of a national group, you may have a chance to progress to a branch/group manager role, or to move into other management fields, such as customer service, human resource, or sales and marketing.

With some experience, you may choose to become self-employed and set up your own businesses. To do that, you need funds as well as a good understanding of running a business.

To start with, you need a strong business plan and Local Enterprise Office offer support and training to develop business plans and necessary skills.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: business administration, customer service, management.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: business management, sales, HR, marketing, commerce, accounting.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Accounting, Finance, Sales Apprenticeships.

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: business, commerce, textiles, management.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: sales, business, management.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €38k - €50k

Salaries vary by employer, role, duties, location, Shift pattern, and experience

Data Source(s):
Salary expert/ Indeed / Payscale / Excel Recruitment

Last Updated: March, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Managing directors (retail trade); retail and wholesale managers.

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

Employment grew strongly for this occupation, particularly between 2021 and 2022, with an additional 7,800 persons employed. This growth is in line with the recent employment growth in the wholesale/retail sector.

The share of non-Irish citizens, at 29%, was higher than the national average of 19%. The number of jobs advertised online (OVATE) grew strongly (10%) for this occupation in the year to 2022, although the fall in adverts in the most recent quarterly data suggests a slowdown in demand.

• Local Enterprise Office

  • C/O Enterprise Ireland
  • Click Here

• Irish Hotels Federation

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

• Retail Ireland

  • Click Here