Brooklyn, New York (WiredPRNews.com) The Day Laborer’s Organization (Ligia Guallpa) in conjunction with Apple Green Eco-Friendly Cleaning Cooperative enabled 28 Hispanic women to receive Marta Perrone’s “The Professional Housekeeper Training Seminar” arriving in hopes of improving their skills. They didn’t know exactly what to expect, but by the end of the day, it was clear to them that they had made the right decision as they expressed their gratitude for this opportunity to learn more about professional development, housekeeping and cleaning products.
The Professional Housekeeper Household Training Seminar begins with a clear explanation of what it takes to become a professional domestic. We start at the beginning: writing a good resume that represents their objective, experience and skills to send off to agencies or prospective employers through job listing services. We cover the importance of having an email address and basic computer skills. We discuss the need for experience and preparation through classes, courses and attending seminar trainings such as this one. We stress the importance of learning English and how with better communication skills, you may achieve better salaries and a wider array of job opportunities. I proceed to explain presentation and personal grooming aspects and the need to bring a portfolio with letters of reference and training certificates for all courses to demonstrate their qualifications in the private service industry. We then began the Presentation Agenda:
Household Training – Kitchen, Master Bedroom, Bathroom
Product Use – Chemical and Non-Chemical “green” products
Laundry – Sorting, Washing, Hand-Washing, Drying, Folding and Ironing
Organization and Time Management and Assessment of Needs
In the Kitchen – Basic Cooking – Table Setting & Serving
With training videos and powerpoint, much of the discussion often turns to problems on the job and issues that concern the community at large with respect to not being provided the necessary products & equipment to perform the job, a lack of appreciation and equitable pay as well as other matters resulting from improper communication between the Employer and employee. Many of these problems can be avoided if discussed during the job offer. It is the responsibility of each domestic worker to not only become an experienced professional but to educate their employers of current laws in their state, working protocol on the job and their expectations as it relates to their employment relationship.
Here are the main concepts presented to this group of housekeepers:
a) Learn everything as it relates to cleaning, laundry, product use, in the kitchen basics and childcare to improve the necessary skills to become experts.
b) Understand the needs of the household employer with a personalized assessment list that turns into a job description.
c) Calculate day cleaning jobs based on “Basic” or “Deep cleaning” dependent upon the level cleanliness in the home to start and how much time there is between cleanings. It is best to estimate cost based on the labor and time needed to get the job done.
d) Maintain proper “communication” and “on the job” professional behavior and protocol to stay professional.
e) Discuss carefully all pertinent aspects of the job offer with the employer and create an employment agreement.
f) Communicate your expectations of the job including but not limited to having the right products and equipment to perform the work effectively.
g) Improve your overall communication skills and especially as it relates to household terminology.
These seminars are empowering as they not only improve the housekeeper’s skills but raise their level of confidence as they begin to see themselves as professionals.
http://www.martaperrone.com
