To work as a janitor, you typically need to:

• complete short-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal education is required for this job. However, many employers prefer that you have a high school diploma or its equivalent. In some cities, unions or government agencies offer training programs. In these programs you learn how to select and use cleaning products. You also learn to operate machines such as buffers, polishers, and vacuums. In addition, you study safety and health regulations and learn how to work without supervision.

On-the-job training

Most janitors learn their skills on the job from an experienced worker. During training, you start with routine cleaning jobs. As you gain experience, you work on more difficult cleaning tasks. This type of training usually lasts one month.