Are students missing a “Golden-Collar” job offering over Rs.1cr Salary?
There is an alarming whisper from the corridors of India’s professional schools: “Housekeeping is slowly being side lined as a specialization subject and students are not opting for it.” Why?
Interactions with some of the students pursuing hotel management revealed that they are unaware of a career in housekeeping! “We get briefing on the various career opportunities in front office or F&B but not on housekeeping.” Students pick up housekeeping mostly when all other options “does not work for them”.
Well, what do they understand by Housekeeping as such? “It involves cleaning toilets and doing rooms!” say the students. Special Correspondent Keerthana Sundar who has been studying the challenges of housekeeping in India, brings to you a first-hand report based on the inputs gathered from experts and students.
A country which has witnessed the grooming of some of the best housekeeping professional, who have won accolades not just in India but internationally as well, is today churning out very few housekeeping graduates annually.
Despite its integral role, especially in the hospitality industry, housekeeping often faces challenges in attracting students as a primary career choice. A study conducted in India revealed that only about 20% of hotel management students opted for housekeeping as their career choice, with many perceiving it as involving menial tasks and offering limited career advancement. Many students view tasks, such as cleaning and maintenance, as menial or monotonous.
On closer interaction with students from different colleges, it is perceived that on floor housekeeping assigned to them are more of a “punishment” rather than a learning curve. The physically demanding nature of housekeeping roles and the behind-the-scenes work environment also make it less appealing to some.
From a career perspective, it is believed that there are no advancement opportunities within housekeeping. In fact, as the history of housekeeping in hospitality holds, most of the veterans have spent their lifetime being executive housekeepers or director housekeeping in renowned hotels.
More so, students are concerned about lower pay scales compared to other departments.
Meenu Tognatta, a true veteran of the hospitality industry, joined a candid online discussion that unveiled the often-misunderstood, undeniable potential within hotel housekeeping. She shared her insights with a few bright students from Sheila Raheja Institute of Hotel Management.
By showcasing the best of modern housekeeping – its technological advancements, financial contributions, artistic flair and diverse career avenues – students can be empowered to make informed choices in their first year of study at a hospitality college and embrace a “gold-collar” profession that adorns the fabric of the hospitality world.
Despite being the very backbone of guest satisfaction and operational efficiency, housekeeping struggles to attract the same enthusiasm as culinary arts, food and beverage, or front office roles. “This is rooted in outdated misconceptions,” argues Meenu Tognatta.
With her characteristic frankness, Meenu wasted no time challenging the notion that housekeeping is merely a “laborious” or “menial” “white-collar job.” Her decisive take? “I rather call it a gold-collar job.”
This bold statement gives a vivid new understanding of modern housekeeping, far removed from the outdated images of brooms and dustpans. The department has undergone a dramatic evolution, transforming into a sophisticated, technologically advanced, and financially impactful vertical.
While hands-on experience is crucial for understanding the job’s intricacies, it’s a foundational step, not the entirety of the career. Today’s housekeepers undertake incredibly diverse roles and responsibilities —
• Financial Acumen: Modern housekeepers are revenue-earning managers, contributing significantly to a hotel’s profitability through cost control, budgeting and strategic inventory management of assets worth millions
• Asset Management: They are custodians of the hotel’s physical assets, from interiors and hard floors to sophisticated machinery, ensuring their upkeep and longevity
• Guest Loyalty & Brand Building: Through meticulous attention to detail and personalized service, housekeepers play a key role in creating memorable guest experiences that foster repeat business and brand loyalty
• Specialized Knowledge: The role demands expertise in textiles, chemistry, and sustainable practices, signifying the scientific and artistic aspects of the job
• Technological Integration: The advent of AI-powered apps for room inspection and maintenance reporting, along with advanced cleaning equipment like wet/dry vacuum cleaners and steam cleaners, has significantly reduced manual labour and enhanced efficiency
“Today’s generation is looking for short-term, large gains and want to move very fast which is fair enough; even housekeeping has taken up that speed and employees are moving up very fast,” Meenu pointed out. She highlighted that housekeepers have ascended to positions like General Managers, attributing their success to their discipline, commitment and focus.
The career prospects extend far beyond traditional hotels, encompassing:
• Airlines
• Hospitals
• Cruises
• Malls
• Corporate offices and multinational buildings
• Academia, particularly in top-tier educational institutions
• Facility management companies
“You go to any vertical, any place in the world. You can go to islands, you can go to cruise liners. You can go to Dubai. You can go to America, anywhere, wherever you apply and with your qualifications and additional diplomas and degrees, if you are the best, they just grab you,” she asserted, emphasizing the global demand for skilled housekeeping professionals.
One of the most compelling arguments was the significant earning potential within housekeeping, dispelling the myth of low wages. Here are approximate annual earning figures:
• 2-3 years experience: Around INR 10 lakh
• 4-5 years experience: Around INR 13-14 lakh
• 8-10 years experience: Around INR 15-20 lakh
• 15+ years experience: Around INR 30 lakh, with some even reaching INR 1 crore!
“Is this less?” Meenu questions, directly addressing the modern youth’s desire for rapid financial gain.
Many housekeeping professionals who have gathered experience in hotels are today owners of top facility management companies and doing over Rs.100 crore business annually. Many others are working with top corporates or multinational asset management companies with a fat salary. “Where is the question of low income?”
The interactive session saw students voice their perspectives. One student, who “really enjoys housekeeping,” suggested the need for more workshops in colleges by industry experts to raise awareness and convey the subject’s importance. This suggestion can be actively applied. The value of attending initiatives like exhibitions that showcase innovations in equipment and chemicals, demonstrate how far the department has come from manual labour.
Another culinary arts student expressed a common concern: the lack of recognition and respect for housekeepers, not just from hotel management but also from guests. “Too often, I’ve noticed that housekeepers are made to feel invisible or even looked down upon,” she stated, emphasizing the impact on self-worth. This concern can be addressed as criticism is part of any profession and should be seen as a catalyst for growth.
Another student highlighted the disparity in the “wow factor” and social media visibility compared to other departments. He pointed out that while culinary arts and F&B showcase captivating creations, housekeeping’s artistic side, such as elaborate hotel decorations and sustainable practices, are not adequately publicised. He advocated for housekeeping professionals to actively promote their work on social media to inspire and attract more students. This idea can be actively endorsed as emphasizing the aesthetic aspects of housekeeping and stressing the importance of continuous evolution and embracing new technologies like AI.
The session concluded with a powerful message: housekeeping is not just a job; it is a dynamic, rewarding and globally recognized career path with immense potential for growth, financial prosperity and personal fulfilment. The perception that it is “not a preferred subject is a real myth”.
The onus, as we at Clean India Journal see it, is on both the industry and academia to bridge this awareness gap. By showcasing the best of modern housekeeping – its technological advancements, financial contributions, artistic flair and diverse career avenues – students can be empowered to make informed choices in their first year of study at a hospitality college and embrace a “gold-collar” profession that adorns the fabric of the hospitality world. As the industry continues to grow, the demand for skilled, innovative and dedicated housekeeping professionals will only intensify. This will make it an opportune time for students to consider this often underestimated, yet incredibly rewarding, field.