Cleaning and youth: from "menial" Work to specialized work
AI, robotics, and sustainability: the new skills required by the industry.
When we step into an office, a gym, or a hospital, how often do we think about who made those spaces so clean and welcoming?
Behind impeccable cleanliness lies a world of silent, invisible workers essential for our daily lives. Thousands of women and men carry out tasks that require specific skills, attention to detail, and a great sense of responsibility.
Yet, professional cleaning is one of the industries struggling the most to attract younger generations. What reasons lie behind this challenge? And what can we do as industry insiders?
Undoubtedly the professional cleaning world also needs a shift in perspective to convey to younger generations the opportunities it offers: contributing to community well-being and being part of an ever-evolving industry that is building a more sustainable future.
“The broom prejudice”
"It's a menial job", "there's no future", "it's only for those who haven't studied." These statements have branded the image of professional cleaning. These persistent prejudices not only fuel harmful stereotypes but also limit many aspirations and create a divide between jobs considered "noble" and those relegated to the "less fortunate."
But cleaning, once viewed as merely manual job, has evolved into a profession requiring specialized skills. Digitalization, sustainability policies, and the growing focus on collective health - especially after the pandemic - have radically transformed this sector, making it more complex yet more strategic. Collaborative robots, eco-friendly cleaning products, digital service management systems and facility management are just some of the innovations revolutionizing not only procedures but also individual professional roles.
The new frontiers of cleaning
Young people choosing a professional path in cleaning have the chance to develop transferable skills and growth opportunities: from technical specialists to team leaders and supervisors of building management technologies. Many new possibilities are emerging, such as managing and maintaining advanced machinery, data analysis, and designing sustainable solutions to improve environmental efficiency.
Today’s cleaning professionals need skills that are often underestimated. Recognizing and valuing these skills is essential, providing young people - for instance - the opportunity to earn internationally recognized professional certifications. Creating career paths that allow specialization in various areas and access to higher-responsibility roles, alongside experienced mentors, can equip the younger generation with the tools needed to make a difference.
Initiatives like the ISSA PULIRE HACKATHON, demonstrating how cleaning contributes to environmental protection, can show younger generations that this sector offers concrete solutions to global challenges.
New technologies offer endless possibilities to make cleaning work more efficient and engaging. Think of Artificial Intelligence, the theme for the second edition of the HACKATHON, and how it frees workers from repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on higher-value activities.
A strong and cohesive community
These topics will take center stage at ISSA PULIRE 2025, offering an opportunity to discuss how to make cleaning an attractive career option for younger generations by highlighting growth opportunities and the importance of this industry. The goal is to build a future where cleaning is not just seen as a service but as a pillar of community health and well-being.