Earlier this month, our Director of People and Culture, Jane Malone, Operations Director, Justin Gray, Marketing and Content Creator, Crystal Barnard, and Office Administrator, Poppy Kirby, visited The Broxbourne School to deliver our first Young Talent Talk of the year.
Our Young Talent Talks are engaging and informative career sessions designed to challenge common misconceptions about the cleaning industry. They showcase the diverse and rewarding career opportunities available, helping young people broaden their perspectives and explore the wide range of pathways open to them.
People often misunderstand the work we do in the cleaning industry. In this session, we tackled those common myths and misconceptions head-on.
In addition, the session highlighted how rewarding and varied a career in the cleaning industry can be. By sharing real facts and figures, we gave a clearer picture of the sector. We explored genuine progression stories to show what is possible. Throughout the conversation, we focused on opportunity, development, and long-term career growth.
We began the session with a quiz to uncover common misconceptions about the cleaning industry. Students shared several assumptions:
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Commercial cleaners only work part-time or in temporary roles.
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The only job available in the cleaning industry is an on-site cleaner role.
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Employers never pay more than minimum wage in the cleaning industry.
These misconceptions were challenged directly. We encouraged students to rethink what a career in cleaning can look like. Honest conversations explored job satisfaction, stability, and progression. The wide range of roles available beyond frontline work was also highlighted. We shared real facts, figures, and lived experiences to bring this to life. The session clearly demonstrated how the industry offers genuine long-term career growth for those willing to learn and develop.
A key focus of the session was progression. We shared real examples showing how careers evolve over time. One standout example was Divisional Managing Director, Gareth Thomas’s 11-year journey from on-site cleaning into a senior leadership role. Gareth’s journey demonstrates the possibilities within cleaning careers and what happens when people are supported, valued and given the right environment to succeed.
Gareth took a moment to reflect on his journey, sharing:
To me, the Facilities Management industry offers a uniquely diverse and dynamic career structure, where hands-on experience can open doors to leadership, strategic management roles, beyond the cleaning operations.
There are extensive career pathways in areas such as health and safety, compliance, budgeting and finance, and business development.
Through continuous learning, professional development, and a willingness to embrace new challenges, I progressed into senior leadership and ultimately to Managing Director. My journey demonstrates that FM offers clear, achievable progression from frontline service roles to executive leadership, for those committed to developing their skills, taking ownership, and understanding the broader business impact of the services they deliver.
These real stories of progression are vital in showing the next generation that hard work, ambition and the right support can open doors far beyond expectations. By showcasing real people and real journeys, we aim to broaden horizons and encourage students to think differently about their future options.
Poppy Kirby reflected on the talk, sharing:
Having been in the students’ shoes only a few months ago, I can really relate to how challenging and overwhelming it can be to choose a career path.
While I’m still fairly new to the industry myself, it was great to have the opportunity to help open students’ eyes to the vast range of possibilities available and to share just how rewarding our industry can be. It was particularly encouraging to see how engaged the students were, with students coming back afterwards to ask questions about how they can join the industry. It was great to see interest sparked in a career path they may not have previously considered.
We would like to extend a special thank you to The Broxbourne School’s Assistant Headteacher and Director of Sixth Form, Lou Reynard, for inviting us to deliver the session and for supporting meaningful employer engagement with students.
Book a Young Talent Talk with DOC Cleaning
If your school, college, or education provider is looking for an engaging and informative career talk, then our Young Talent Talks programme is ready to support and inspire your students.
Whether you want to challenge misconceptions, broaden career horizons, or provide real-world insight, our sessions deliver practical value and meaningful inspiration. Get in touch with our support team today to find out more.