Occupation
Custodian
Custodians keep buildings clean, stocked, secure, and safe to occupy, working in schools, hospitals, offices, and public facilities. Beyond routine cleaning, the role usually includes minor repairs, setting up rooms, clearing snow or waste, and being the person who notices when something in the building is wrong. Shifts are often early, late, or overnight so the work does not disrupt occupants.
Also known as: Janitor · Cleaner · Building service worker · Caretaker
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Occupation content
Part of Skilled trades, maintenance and repair
A visual day in the work
What the work involves
Clean and sanitise floors, washrooms, and shared spaces to the schedule and standard set for the site.
Handle waste and recycling streams and keep collection areas orderly.
Restock consumables and maintain cleaning equipment and supply inventories.
Set up and reset rooms and furniture for classes, meetings, and events.
Carry out minor repairs and report building faults, hazards, and security concerns.
Follow chemical handling, signage, and infection-control procedures appropriate to the site.
Entry-route stepper
How people commonly enter
On-the-job training with an employer or contract cleaning company, including site-specific safety instruction.
A short course in cleaning operations, chemical safety, or infection control where an employer expects one.
Entry through a facilities or building services team, taking on custodial duties alongside minor maintenance.
Progression to lead custodian or building operator roles with added building systems training.
Typical training: Short course or on-the-job training
Licensing: Not typically licensed
Work-context map
Typical work context
- Physically active
- Shift work
- Works independently
- Predictable routine
- Public facing
Physically active · Shift work · Works independently · Predictable routine · Public facing
Related interests
- Realistic (hands-on)
- Conventional (organizing)
Realistic (hands-on) · Conventional (organizing)
Related aptitude preparation
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Skills to practise
Related learning
Family-level learning links for Skilled trades, maintenance and repair.
Official sources
Labour-market facts such as pay and employment projections are not reproduced here. Open an official source below for figures, with its own geography and reference period.
US BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Janitors and building cleaners
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Canada Job Bank: Career planning
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EU ESCO: Occupations classification
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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)
This is broad family-level context for Skilled trades, maintenance and repair in Canada, not a figure for Custodian. It does not affect matching scores and is not an eligibility determination.
This is a broad Skilled trades, maintenance and repair family. Explore the official profile for the chosen occupation; entry education and training can differ within the family.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Skilled trades, maintenance and repair: education pathways
Some roles in Skilled trades, maintenance and repair may be regulated. Confirm whether the specific role requires registration, certification, or a jurisdiction-specific licence.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Skilled trades, maintenance and repair: licensing
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