Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
•   Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
•   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.
•   Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
•   Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Working Life

Dry cleaning assistants work in dry-cleaning shops and industrial laundries. They accept clothes from customers and check for stains and damage. They also deal with clothes and linen from organisations like hotels and hospitals.  
 
Assistants in shops meet customers face-to-face. When a customer brings in something to be cleaned - for example, a jacket - the assistant examines it and explains to the customer what the cleaning treatment will be, how long it will take and how much it will cost. The assistant tags the item for identification, takes the customer's contact details and gives the customer a collection ticket.  
 
Most dry-cleaning shops are 'self-contained' - they can clean most items on site. The assistants sort items for cleaning, load and unload the cleaning machines, and remove stains by hand. To remove stains in this way the assistant puts chemicals directly (but very carefully) onto the stain. Once an item is clean the assistant presses or irons it. Finally they put the item on a hanger, or fold it neatly, and cover it (usually with plastic) to protect it from dust. It is then stored, ready for the customer to collect.  

Those who work in industrial laundries may do normal laundry work as well as dry cleaning.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading.
• Start washers, dry cleaners, driers, or extractors, and turn valves or levers to regulate machine processes and the volume of soap, detergent, water, bleach, starch, and other additives.
• Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation.
• Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so.
• Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them.
• Clean machine filters, and lubricate equipment.
• Examine and sort into lots articles to be cleaned, according to color, fabric, dirt content, and cleaning technique required.
• Receive and mark articles for laundry or dry cleaning with identifying code numbers or names, using hand or machine markers.
• Apply bleaching powders to spots and spray them with steam to remove stains from fabrics that do not respond to other cleaning solvents.
• Determine spotting procedures and proper solvents, based on fabric and stain types.

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.

This is an entry level role. Training is normally carried out on-the-job. Employers give new employees basic training in dry cleaning techniques and an overview of operations.

Key Skill Certs:

Manual Handling 

Basic spoken, literacy, and numeracy skills will be required to support customer service & till cash handling. 

Previous experience in retail, customer service, till & cash handling Search our FET CourseFinder.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: customer service, supervisory management, retail associate.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: sales, retail, customer service.

Search for PLC Courses

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €31k

Salaries vary based on employer, duties, role, location, shift patterns, and experience. 

Rates vary between: Forecourt, convenience, Small/ medium / large store. 

Rates from €12.70-14.90 p/hr.

Data Source(s):
Excel recruitment / Payscale/ Indeed

Last Updated: February, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Sales and retail assistants, cashiers and checkout operators, Retail cash desk and check-out operators, Telephone salespersons, Pharmacy and other dispensing assistants, Vehicle and parts salespersons and advisers.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).

The below average growth rate for sales assistants relates to a dip in employment levels in 2020 with the onset of COVID-19 restrictions; employment levels in 2022 had returned to pre-COVID levels and employment continued to grow in 2023. Recent job hires far exceeded any employment growth suggesting that job churn is a significant feature of this occupation and is likely to be the main cause of the high volume of vacancies for these roles (both Eurostat/CEDEFOP and DSP). Three fifths of employment was for part-time roles and almost half were aged 15-24 years, with students in full-time education likely to feature strongly in this role.

Replacement demand is likely to remain strong for this occupation. Skills for Growth data indicated issues with recruitment of retail sales assistants with knowledge of specific manufacturing sectors and for specialist shops.

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