Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   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.
•   Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
•   Operating Vehicles, Mechanised Devices, or Equipment Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanised equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
•   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.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   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.
•   Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Working Life

Cloakroom attendants work in theatres, conference centres, restaurants, nightclubs, exhibition halls, hotels and other places that have large numbers of visitors. The attendants look after the visitors' coats and bags.

Usually, cloakroom attendants work from behind a counter. The visitor comes to the counter and hands over their coat and/or bag (and sometimes a payment). The attendant gives the visitor a numbered ticket and fixes a duplicate ticket to the item. The attendant then puts the clothing or bags onto rails and shelves in a set order. When the visitors want their items back, they hand over the ticket and the attendant matches it up to the one on the racks. Security is a very important aspect of this work.

In some places, such as nightclubs, restaurants and conference suites, cloakroom attendants generally look after coats only. But depending on where you work, you may have some additional duties, which could include:

• Welcoming customers to the venue
• Providing customers with information, leaflets and programmes
• Checking tickets in concert halls and theatres and showing people to their seats
• Supervising toilet facilities, which may mean keeping them stocked with soap and toilet rolls
• If working in a left-luggage office at a railway station, airport or bus station, you may need to x-ray luggage

Working hours vary between jobs. Cloakroom attendants often work shifts and during evenings and weekends, although this depends on the venue. Part-time and temporary work is very common and some cloakroom attendants combine this work with other full-time or part-time jobs.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Receive and mark baggage by completing and attaching claim checks.
• Greet incoming guests and escort them to their rooms.
• Transport guests about premises and local areas, or arrange for transportation.
• Maintain clean lobbies or entrance areas for travelers or guests.
• Transfer luggage, trunks, and packages to and from rooms, loading areas, vehicles, or transportation terminals, by hand or using baggage carts.
• Supply guests or travelers with directions, travel information, and other information, such as available services and points of interest.
• Explain the operation of room features, such as locks, ventilation systems, and televisions.
• Assist physically challenged travelers and other guests with special needs.
• Deliver messages and room service orders, and run errands for guests.
• Pick up and return items for laundry and valet service.

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.

This is an entry level position where previous experience and qualifications are not necessarily needed. However, you are expected to have basic, spoken, literacy, and numeracy skills as you are likely handle cash and need to follow written instructions.

Some employers provide health & safety or first aid training to new employees, but some employers require that you have completed such training prior to employment.

Key Skills Certs

• Health & Fire Safety
• Manual Handling 
• Occupational First Aid 

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

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: supervisory 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: supervisory management.

There may be opportunities for promotions to roles with more responsibility, such as a supervisor or manager role with certification in Supervisory Management.

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: Retail Supervision.

Search for Apprenticeships

Your experience of working as a cloakroom attendant will also give you transferable skills which can be used in a wide range of careers, such as customer service skills, honesty, and reliability.

***Garda vetting may form part of an application process.***

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €23k - €29k

Salaries vary by employer, location, duties. Role, experience, and location.

Data Source(s):
Excel Recruitment / Indeed.ie

Last Updated: January, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Sports and leisure assistants; travel agents; air and rail travel assistants; holiday representatives, tour guides; Leisure and theme park attendants; Travel agency managers; proprietors Leisure and travel service occupations n.e.c.

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

Although employment levels grew between 2021 and 2022 for this occupation, numbers employed remained below pre-COVID-19 levels. The numbers employed across the various roles in this occupation are too small in the Labour Force Survey for further analysis but the CSO Census data shows that approximately half of those in this occupation worked as air travel assistants or travel agents, with 2022 levels for these roles well below their 2016 levels.

Approximately a third of persons employed in this occupation work part-time, higher than the national average. The extent to which employment in these occupations will recover to their prepandemic levels is uncertain as affordability and attractiveness for air travel services in particular remains vulnerable to increased energy costs, and consumer demand and preferences given the green agenda and cost of living pressures.

• Retail Ireland

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• Restaurant's Association of Ireland

  • 11 Bridge Court, Citygate, St Augustine Street, Dublin 8
  • 01 6779901
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Abbey Theatre

  • 26 Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 1
  • (01) 878 7222
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here