Work Environment
This occupation is typically found in the following Career Sector(s):
Videos on the Web
- Car Valet- from: Youtube Search
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.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanised Devices, or Equipment Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanised equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
- Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- 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.
- Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Working Life
Car valets make cars and other vehicles as clean as possible, inside and out. They use cloths for hand cleaning and polishing, and some electrical equipment. They use:
- steam cleaners to clean the engine, wheel arches and chassis
- vacuum cleaners and shampooers to clean inside the car
- powered water sprays for cleaning the outside of the car.
- using chemicals to remove stains
Car valets polish and wax by hand the paintwork, chrome and plastic or leather trims. It takes a few hours to do a full clean on a car. Many car parks in cities have valeting services which will valet your car while you are shopping or working.
Car valet firms offer customers full or part valet services. For each vehicle, the car valet has instructions on the service asked for and carries out a standard range of cleaning tasks. Sometimes the valet collects the car from the customer and returns it at the end of day. Some firms offer a mobile valet service, taking a specially equipped van out to the customers' premises. Travel throughout the local area may be necessary.
A car valet who works for a car sales or car rental firm might have to assess the condition of a car before working on it. They decide how much cleaning is needed to bring it up to the company's standard.
As well as cars, valets also work on commercial vehicles, such as delivery vans, and on caravans.
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Take numbered tags from customers, locate vehicles, and deliver vehicles, or provide customers with instructions for locating vehicles.
- Inspect vehicles to detect any damage.
- Greet customers and open their car doors.
- Issue ticket stubs or place numbered tags on windshields, log tags or attach tag to customers' keys, and give customers matching tags for locating parked vehicles.
- Perform cash handling tasks, such as making change, balancing and recording cash drawer, or distributing tips.
- Explain and calculate parking charges, collect fees from customers, and respond to customer complaints.
- Park and retrieve automobiles for customers in parking lots, storage garages, or new car lots.
- Provide customer assistance and information, such as giving directions or handling wheelchairs.
- Keep parking areas clean and orderly to ensure that space usage is maximised.
- Call emergency responders or the proper authorities and provide motorist assistance, such as giving directions or helping jump start a stalled vehicle.
Further Information
- Car Valet- from: N.C.S. [UK]
Qualities - Car Valet
You might need a driving licence for this job especially if you work for a mobile service.
You need stamina and fitness for car valeting. It is a very active job. It means being on your feet a lot of the time, bending and reaching into awkward places. It also involves using different types of equipment, which can be heavy or awkward to move around. A lot of effort is needed in hand polishing and waxing. You must follow safety procedures and understand products instructions and warnings.
You must pay attention to detail and follow instructions carefully, to give a good service. You will often have to work outdoors, whatever the weather. You need to mannerly and polite to the customers.
This might not be the job for you if you have a skin allergy, as strong chemicals are often used for cleaning.
Interests - Car Valet
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.
Enterprising
Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.
Entry / Progression - Car Valet
Training is on-the-job and includes procedures for valeting, use of equipment and materials, and the safe handling of chemical cleaners.
As a trainee you would normally work with an experienced valet until you are familiar with the routine.
Key Skill Certs:
Manual Handling
Health & Safety: CleanPass
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.
You may choose to explore options of career progression view our career sectors for search career sectors.
Pay & Salary - Car Valet
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €23k - €31k
Salary can vary as work may be part time. Salaries vary based on employer, duties, role, location, and experience.
Data Source(s):
Glassdoor.ie / Indeed.ie
Last Updated: January, 2024
Labour Market Updates - Car Valet
Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Window cleaners, Street cleaners, Cleaners and domestics, Launderers, dry cleaners and pressers, Refuse and salvage occupations, Vehicle valeters and cleaners, Elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c.
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).
Employment levels for cleaners fell in 2020 and 2021 as a result of COVID-19 restrictions; employment has grown strongly since 2022 although the employment growth rate was below average. Over two-thirds of those employed were female, over half worked part-time, almost a quarter were aged 55 years or over and 42% were non-Irish citizens, with the shares for each of these categories being above the national average.
The level of educational attainment for those employed as cleaners was below average; 30% had attained at most a lower secondary education and a further 54% had attained a higher secondary/FET level of education.
Recent job hires in 2023 far exceeded employment growth indicating that job churn is occurring in this role.
Useful Contacts - Car Valet
-
Society of the Irish Motor Industry
