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Useful experience for caretakers includes:

• work in the trades, especially carpentry
• manual labour
• cleaning or maintenance work
• experience working with children or teenagers (for caretakers in schools).

Caretakers may do some or all of the following:

• maintain grounds, facilities and gardens
• clean buildings and dispose of rubbish
• operate boilers and furnaces used for heating
• make minor repairs and organise contractors for major repairs
• oversee security.

Caretaker vacancies are rare because turnover is low. The number of caretaker jobs advertised has fallen in recent years.

Many caretaker roles are filled by older workers who stay in the job until or past retirement age. There is strong competition for positions among older tradespeople looking for a less physical job.

According to the Census, 3,966 caretakers worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Having trade skills improves your chances of getting a job

Employers of caretakers often look for people who have:

• experience in a trade such as building, plumbing, landscaping or electrical work
• a wide range of renovation and repair skills.

Knowing how to maintain boilers or swimming pools may also be useful.

Types of employers varied

Caretakers may work for:

• schools 
• universities and polytechnics
• hostels
• motels, hotels and holiday camps
• retirement villages
• city councils and government agencies
• apartment complexes.

Caretakers may progress to work as property managers.

• Property manager job information

Caretakers need to:

• be self-directed and able to work unsupervised
• have good time management skills
• be good at problem solving
• like working outside
• be reliable.

Caretakers who work at schools must be able to relate well to children.