Career Guide is a series of occupational briefs which aims to provide information on hard to fill and highly-in-demand occupations identified during the 2006 National Manpower Summit and the 2007 National Human Resource Conference. The Career Guides contain such information as the nature of the job, its education and competency requirements, earnings, employment and job outlook.

Room Attendant

A Room Attendant performs duties in the cleaning and serving of guestrooms according to hotel/resort standards under the supervision of the Executive Housekeeper.

Tasks

Cleans bathtubs, toilets, sinks, walls, mirrors, tiles, counters and floor surfaces;
Strips and makes beds and changes bed linens;
Dusts all furniture's, pictures, drawers, window ledges and shelves thoroughly;
Vacuums the entire room and empties the trash bin;
Replenishes amenities, linens and supplies in guestrooms;
Ensures all electronic devices and lights are functioning properly;
Transports dirty linens to the laundry;
Adheres to proper lost and found procedures.

Basic Educational Requirement

High school graduates, vocational technology graduates or college undergraduates can qualify for the job of a Room Attendant. Formal schooling has to be supplemented by training in basic housekeeping, either in-house or by a third party.

Skills and Competencies

Effective communication skills and ability to work with a variety of people;
Flexibility (able to perform a variety of tasks as instructed);
Behavioral competencies in the area of customer service relations.

Physical Attributes and Characteristics

Physically able to perform house keeping tasks which require bending, lifting, carrying, standing for long periods of time, and constant movement;
Good health (have no mental or physical conditions that may be aggravated by the performance of the duties of this position);
Personable and trustworthy.

Salary/Compensation

Entry-level workers in the hotel and restaurant industry receive an average daily basic pay equivalent to the minimum wage rate prevailing in the place of employment.

Included in this salary scale are workers in the accommodation sub-sector which consist, among others, of Room Attendants and other housekeeping staff. The basic pay excludes allowances, bonuses, commissions, overtime pay and benefits in kind.

Prospects for Career Advancement

Room Attendants can move into the supervisory level if they have fulfilled the requirements for additional training and the prescribed minimum years of experience. The requirements may vary depending on the standards prevailing in the place of employment. A college education may at times be necessary to get a promotion.

Employment Opportunities

Employment opportunities for hotel workers, including Room Attendants, are quite large considering that the tourism industry has been identified as a priority sector due to its potential to boost the country’s economy. Local vacancies will also arise as a result of the movement of trained workers into overseas employment.

Cost of Education/ Training *

A 2-year course leading to a degree in Associate in Hotel and Restaurant Management cost around P50,000 to P55,000
A Basic Housekeeping Training Program would cost around P8,650.

* Based on 2007 rates