Will AI replace Elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c.?

Not as a job, but it is already doing parts of the work. Across the 51 official task statements scored for Elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c. (United Kingdom, SOC 9229), 8% of the importance-weighted core work is made of tasks today's AI could already do most of. The overall exposure score is 8 out of 100 (range 7–13, band: minimal). That is a statement about tasks, not about headcount: this measures what AI could do, not whether any employer adopts it, whether the law allows it, or whether doing the routine parts faster creates more demand for the human parts. Figures are from release 2026-q4.1.

Which tasks in “Elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c.” can AI already do?

The highest-scoring tasks in release 2026-q4.1 are: “Maintain records of resources used, repairs, and corrective actions” (93/100, very high); “Order specific supplies required for the maintenance of facilities” (93/100, very high); “Respond to customer enquiries” (79/100, high). Each score comes from five published 0–4 ratings turned into a number by a published formula, and each carries the model's one-sentence reason on the page.

Which tasks in “Elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c.” stay human?

About 92% of this job's task weight sits in work that scores low for AI exposure. The lowest-scoring tasks in release 2026-q4.1 are: “Dust furniture to remove dirt and maintain cleanliness” (0/100, minimal); “Dust equipment to ensure cleanliness and functionality” (0/100, minimal); “Clean and polish furniture and fixtures” (0/100, minimal). Low scores usually mean the task needs a body in a room, a legally accountable human, or trust built in real time. Those are the three things the scoring rubric treats as gates rather than obstacles.

What should someone working in “Elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c.” do about AI?

Start from the ledger rather than the headline: 8% of this job's weighted core work is exposed, and roughly 92% is not. The practical move is to spend more of your week on the tasks that score low, the ones above, and to get fluent at directing AI through the tasks that score high, because those are the parts that change whether or not you are ready for them. This page does not predict your job, and nothing here is career advice tailored to you: the score describes the occupation, not the person.

How is the AI exposure score for Elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c. calculated?

Each official task statement for the occupation is rated on five published 0–4 dimensions (output replicability, physical embodiment, licensed accountability, real-time human trust, and data availability) by claude-opus-5 using scoring prompt task_scoring_v1.0. The model never writes the score; a published formula turns the five ratings into a 0–100 number, so every score can be recomputed by hand. The occupation figure is the importance-weighted mean across 51 scored tasks. The prompt, the rubric, the formula and the full dataset are published at https://futureproof.collab365.com/method and https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1 under CC BY 4.0.

UK dataswitch to US

Elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c.

using brushes on extending rods to clean the chimney or flue, cleaning changing rooms in facilities and servicing toilets. If that's your week, this page is about your job.

The honest answer

AI changes the edges of this job, not the middle: using brushes on extending rods to clean the chimney or flue is work software can't reach.

Your move: what a elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c. can actually do about this ↓

Where the work sits, by task weight

shifting to AI: 8%
changing shape: 0%
staying human: 92%

These bars are tasks changing hands, not people being counted out. The ledger below shows which.

Whole-job exposure score 8 out of 100 (7–13 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, across 51 scored tasks. The number is the support for the sentence above it, not a headline about anyone’s future.

How we know this

What is measured: Every published task statement for elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c. is rated on five dimensions: can a model produce the output, does the work need a body in a room, does it need a legally accountable person, does it depend on a person being trusted in the moment, and how much data exists. A published formula turns those five ratings into the score; the model never writes the number.

How the bar is built: Each task’s share of the bar is its published importance weight, so a task you do all day counts for more than one you do twice a year.

Release: 2026-q4.1, scores computed 2026-08-04. Read the full method.

What shifts is responding to customer enquiries: the paper around the work, not the work.

Your week, as this page understands it

Job holders in this unit group perform elementary cleansing service occupations not elsewhere classified in minor group 922: Elementary cleaning occupations. The job title says “elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c.”. The real job is the part underneath: using brushes on extending rods to clean the chimney or flue. That is the thing someone has to be right about.

The exposed part of this job is specific, and we won’t pretend it is coming back. But elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c. is not one task. It is 51 scored ones, and they are nowhere near equally exposed. The most durable of them, on this evidence, is using brushes on extending rods to clean the chimney or flue, and the ledger below shows exactly why.

Where the work sits, by task weight

shifting to AI: 8%
changing shape: 0%
staying human: 92%

These bars are tasks changing hands, not people being counted out. The ledger below shows which.

How we know this

How the bar is built: Each task’s share of the bar is its published importance weight, so a task you do all day counts for more than one you do twice a year.

Release: 2026-q4.1, scores computed 2026-08-04. Read the full method.

Your job, task by task

These are the official task statements for this occupation, in plain English, sorted by what the evidence says is happening to each one. The official wording sits under every line so you can check the rewrite against it.

35 of this occupation's scored task statements carry a score that was measured under a different occupation's context, because the statement is shared between jobs and has only been scored once so far. Each one names the occupation it was measured under in the free routes below; none is presented as a measurement for this job.
Task clusters are not derived in this release, so the task-cluster field is empty and no Collab365 Space routing is attached to this occupation yet.

Shifting to AI

5 tasks

Tasks today’s tools can already do most of. This is the part we will not soften: where these rows are the bulk of your week, the week changes.

Responding to customer enquiries
This is reading one thing and writing another: customer enquiries in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 75 · 9229/02
Source: “Respond to customer enquiries.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 79 out of 100 (75–83 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Answering customer questions from known information is something software already does at speed and scale.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Maintaining records of resources
This is reading one thing and writing another: records of resources in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 60 · 9229/03
Source: “Maintain records of resources used, repairs, and corrective actions.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 93 out of 100 (89–97 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Keeping records of materials used and repairs done is structured paperwork software already handles.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Ordering specific supplies required for the maintenance of facilities
This is reading one thing and writing another: specific supplies in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 60 · 9229/04
Source: “Order specific supplies required for the maintenance of facilities.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 93 out of 100 (89–97 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Ordering maintenance supplies follows set suppliers and rules that ordering systems already handle.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Updating manhole charts
This is reading one thing and writing another: manhole charts in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 50 · 9229/03
Source: “Update manhole charts.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (68–82 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Updating manhole charts is drawing and records work that mapping software handles well once the survey data is in.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Updating sewer maps
This is reading one thing and writing another: sewer maps in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 50 · 9229/03
Source: “Update sewer maps.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (68–82 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Updating sewer maps is records and mapping work that software does well from survey data.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

Changing shape

0 tasks

Tasks where the machine takes the producing and a person keeps the checking, the deciding, or the answering-for-it. For most jobs this is the biggest group, and it is where "transformation, not termination" is literally visible.

Nothing in this job’s scored task list landed in this group. That is the measurement, not an editorial choice, and it is worth knowing either way.

Staying human

46 tasks

Tasks that stay with a person, because they happen in the physical world, because the rules need someone accountable, or because the value is that a specific person does them.

Using brushes on extending rods to clean the chimney or flue
This work happens in the physical world: brushes, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 95 · 9229/02
Source: “Use brushes on extending rods to clean the chimney or flue.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Sweeping a flue with rods is manual work done at the fireplace.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.
Removing dust and ash with industrial vacuuming equipment
This work happens in the physical world: dust, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 90 · 9229/02
Source: “Remove dust and ash with industrial vacuuming equipment.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Vacuuming dust and ash is physical work carried out on site.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.
Using equipment, smoke-generating machines and CCTV cameras to examine the chimney
This work happens in the physical world: equipment, smoke-generating machines and CCTV cameras, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 90 · 9229/02
Source: “Use equipment such as smoke-generating machines and CCTV cameras to examine the chimney.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Smoke tests and camera surveys need someone at the chimney setting the equipment up and moving it.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Cleaning and repairing septic tanks
This work happens in the physical world: septic tanks, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 90 · 9229/03
Source: “Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, manholes, culverts, and storm drains.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Clearing and repairing drains and manholes is physical work in the ground, often in confined spaces needing trained entry.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Operating high-velocity water jets for sewer cleaning
This work happens in the physical world: high-velocity water jets, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 90 · 9229/03
Source: “Operate high-velocity water jets for sewer cleaning.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Running a water jetting lance down a sewer is physical work needing a trained operator on site.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

Show the other 41 tasks

Checking technical drawings and plans to trace where you need to dig
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: technical drawings, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 9229/03
Source: “Check technical drawings and plans to trace where you need to dig.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 25 out of 100 (18–32 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Software can read the drawings, but someone still has to match them to the ground before digging.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Using communication equipment to relay information between supervisors and workers
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: communication equipment, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 60 · 9229/03
Source: “Use communication equipment to relay information between supervisors and workers.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 21 out of 100 (14–28 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Relaying messages by radio means being on site in the middle of the job as it happens.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Advising customers on the safety of chimneys
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: customers, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 85 · 9229/02
Source: “Advise customers on the safety of chimneys, appliances and flues.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 15 out of 100 (8–22 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; work that happens in the physical world; someone qualified has to answer for it; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Guidance on flue safety is documented, but the advice a customer acts on comes from a qualified sweep who has seen it.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 2/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Inspecting manholes to locate sewer line blockages
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: manholes, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 85 · 9229/03
Source: “Inspect manholes to locate sewer line blockages.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 8 out of 100 (4–12 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Finding a blockage means lifting the cover and looking down the manhole.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Locating problems using specially designed equipment
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: problems, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 9229/03
Source: “Locate problems using specially designed equipment.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 8 out of 100 (4–12 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Tracing a problem with detection equipment means walking the line with the kit.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Cleaning vehicles, machinery, equipment, instruments, tools, work areas and other objects using appropriate tools and equipment
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: vehicles, machinery, equipment, instruments, tools, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 85 · 9229/01
Source: “Clean vehicles, machinery, equipment, instruments, tools, work areas, and other objects using appropriate tools and equipment.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Cleaning equipment and work areas is physical work.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.
Rinsing objects and placing them on drying racks
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: objects, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 9229/01
Source: “Rinse objects and place them on drying racks.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Rinsing items and racking them to dry is entirely manual work.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.
Presoaking machine parts, equipment or vehicles in cleaning solutions or water
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: machine parts, equipment or vehicles, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 75 · 9229/01
Source: “Pre-soak machine parts, equipment, or vehicles in cleaning solutions or water.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Soaking parts and equipment is hands-on work at the wash bay.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.
Using cloth, squeegees or air compressors to dry surfaces
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: cloth, squeegees or air compressors, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 75 · 9229/01
Source: “Use cloth, squeegees, or air compressors to dry surfaces.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Drying surfaces by hand or with air lines is entirely physical work.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.
Cleaning compactor bodies after routes
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: compactor bodies after routes, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 9229/01
Source: “Clean compactor bodies after routes have been completed.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Washing out compactor bodies is hands-on work at the depot.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.
Shoveling sweep or otherwise clean work areas
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: sweep, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 9229/01
Source: “Shovel, sweep, or otherwise clean work areas.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Shovelling and sweeping is done with hands and tools in the workplace itself.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.
Washing lorries to keep them clean
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: lorries, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 9229/01
Source: “Wash lorries to keep them clean.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Washing a lorry is entirely hands-on work on the vehicle.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Transporting materials and products to and from work areas
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: materials, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 50 · 9229/01
Source: “Transport materials and products to and from work areas using trolleys, handtrucks, or hoists.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Moving materials around with trolleys and hoists is physical work in the plant.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.
Inspecting the chimney or flue before cleaning
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: the chimney, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 85 · 9229/02
Source: “Inspect the chimney or flue before cleaning.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Inspecting a chimney before sweeping means physically looking up it and checking the appliance.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Protecting the surrounding area so that soot doesn't fall into a room
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: the surrounding area, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 9229/02
Source: “Protect the surrounding area so that soot doesn't fall into a room.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Sheeting up a room to keep soot out is done by hand before the work starts.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.
Ensuring that repaired sewer pipe joints are tightly sealed before backfilling begins
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: repaired sewer pipe joints are tightly sealed, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 85 · 9229/03
Source: “Ensure that repaired sewer pipe joints are tightly sealed before backfilling begins.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Confirming a pipe joint is sealed means being in the trench looking at it before it is covered.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Operating power rodders for sewer cleaning
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: power rodders, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 85 · 9229/03
Source: “Operate power rodders for sewer cleaning.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Working a power rodder through a sewer is done by hand at the machine.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.
Fitting rotary knives on flexible cables mounted on machine reels
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: rotary knives, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 9229/03
Source: “Fit rotary knives on flexible cables mounted on machine reels, according to the diameters of pipes to be cleaned.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Fitting the right cutter to a drain machine is done by hand at the reel.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.
Starting machines to feed revolving cables or rods into openings
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: machines, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 9229/03
Source: “Start machines to feed revolving cables or rods into openings.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Feeding rodding cable into a drain is done by hand at the machine, so this stays with the operator.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.
Excavating sewer lines manually, using shovels
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: sewer lines, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 75 · 9229/03
Source: “Excavate sewer lines manually, using shovels.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Digging out sewer lines by shovel is heavy physical work.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Servicing machinery to ensure safety and reliability
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: machinery, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 75 · 9229/03
Source: “Service machinery to ensure safety and reliability.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Servicing a machine means working on it with tools.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Carrying out minor repairs to drainage machinery
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: minor repairs, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 9229/03
Source: “Carry out minor repairs to drainage machinery.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Repairing a drainage machine means physically working on it with tools, which software cannot do from a screen.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Driving lorries to transport machines and materials to job sites
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: lorries, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 9229/03
Source: “Drive lorries to transport machines and materials to job sites.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Driving machines and materials to site is physical work.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Measuring excavation sites using drain rods
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: excavation sites, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 9229/03
Source: “Measure excavation sites using drain rods, tape measures, or cutting heads.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Measuring an excavation with rods and tapes is done on site by hand.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Stopping machines and change blades to conform to pipe sizes
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: machines, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 9229/03
Source: “Stop machines and change blades to conform to pipe sizes.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Changing a cutting head to suit the pipe is done by hand at the machine.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.
Marking the location of pipes and cables
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: the location of pipes, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 65 · 9229/03
Source: “Mark the location of pipes and cables.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Marking where pipes and cables run is done on the actual wall or ground.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.
Tapping mainline sewers to install sewer saddles
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: mainline sewers, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 65 · 9229/03
Source: “Tap mainline sewers to install sewer saddles.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Cutting into a live sewer and fitting a saddle is physical work on site, done by authorised crews.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.
Backfilling excavations and compact and level earth using tools
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: excavations, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 60 · 9229/03
Source: “Backfill excavations and compact and level earth using tools.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Backfilling and compacting ground is physical work with tools and machines on site.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Cutting pipes to required lengths
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: pipes, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 60 · 9229/03
Source: “Cut pipes to required lengths.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Cutting pipe to length is a hands-on shop or trench task with no digital version.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.
Setting sleeves or inserts to provide support for pipes
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: sleeves, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 60 · 9229/03
Source: “Set sleeves or inserts to provide support for pipes.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Placing sleeves and inserts is manual work in the building structure.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.
Covering pipes with earth to protect and insulate them
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: pipes, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 50 · 9229/03
Source: “Cover pipes with earth to protect and insulate them.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Backfilling over pipes is physical work.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Operating pneumatic drills or drills to break up concrete or pavement
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: pneumatic drills, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 50 · 9229/03
Source: “Operate pneumatic drills or drills to break up concrete or pavement.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Breaking up concrete with a pneumatic drill needs a person holding the tool.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Cleaning toilets
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: toilets, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 90 · 9229/04
Source: “Clean toilets.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Cleaning a toilet is physical work that has to be done on site.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.
Cleaning changing rooms in facilities
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: rooms, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 9229/04
Source: “Clean changing rooms in facilities.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Cleaning changing rooms is hands-on work in the room itself.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.
Servicing toilets
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: toilets, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 9229/04
Source: “Service toilets.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Servicing toilets means being there with the equipment and supplies.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.
Cleaning building floors
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: floors, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 9229/04
Source: “Clean building floors by sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, or vacuuming.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Sweeping, mopping, scrubbing and vacuuming floors is manual cleaning.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.
Following procedures for the use of chemical cleaners and power equipment to prevent damage to floors and fixtures
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: procedures, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 9229/04
Source: “Follow procedures for the use of chemical cleaners and power equipment to prevent damage to floors and fixtures.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Handling chemicals and power equipment correctly is done with hands on the machine.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Cleaning windows using soapy water or other cleaners
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: windows, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 60 · 9229/04
Source: “Clean windows using soapy water or other cleaners, sponges, or squeegees.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Washing windows with sponges and squeegees is physical work at the glass.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Cleaning and polishing furniture and fixtures
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: furniture, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 50 · 9229/04
Source: “Clean and polish furniture and fixtures.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Cleaning and polishing furniture and fixtures is handwork.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.
Dusting equipment to ensure cleanliness and functionality
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: equipment, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 50 · 9229/04
Source: “Dust equipment to ensure cleanliness and functionality.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Dusting equipment means physically wiping it down.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.
Dusting furniture to remove dirt and maintain cleanliness
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: furniture, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 50 · 9229/04
Source: “Dust furniture to remove dirt and maintain cleanliness.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Dusting furniture means physically wiping it down.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

What this job pays, and how many people do it

Median pay: £25,800a year, before tax, the middle of the range, so half earn more and half earn less.ashe-t14, 2025 · ASHE 2025 provisional (reference April 2025)Provisional, because the ONS revises this figure in the autumn.
How we know this
Source: ashe-t14
Reference period: ASHE 2025 provisional (reference April 2025)
Rounding: Shown to the nearest £100. The exact published figure is in the downloadable dataset. We do not render pounds the survey cannot support.
People doing this job: 14,000in the UK, 2026.nomis-aps · Apr 2025-Mar 2026 (latest APS 12-month period)This headcount comes from a survey, not a census, so treat it as a good estimate rather than an exact count.

What is deliberately not here: a forecast of how many of these jobs exist in ten years. Where an official projection exists for a market we publish it with its vintage; where it does not, we leave the space empty rather than borrow the other country’s number.

Why this is shifting

The reason is boringly specific. Most of what is shifting here is reading one thing and writing another: customer enquiries in, a record out. The rows above are exactly that shape: responding to customer enquiries and maintaining records of resources. What it cannot do is be there in the room, and that is still where brushes get done. Which is why this page talks about your tasks changing, not your job ending.

Your move

Over a pint: what I’d tell you if you were my friend

Start with what does not change: using brushes on extending rods to clean the chimney or flue is the middle of this job, and the evidence on this page says it stays with a person.

So, given all that: 8% of this job's task weight sits in rows the software is already learning, 0% in rows that change shape rather than disappear, and 92% in rows it is nowhere near. That is the position, measured across 51 scored tasks. It is not a forecast about you.

So the thing worth your attention is not the job going away. It is the layer around it. Responding to customer enquiries is the part turning into software, and being the person who understands that layer is worth money.

This week: one thing

Ask the one question. Find whoever is bringing new software into your workplace (the manager, the office, whoever runs the system) and ask them what it is meant to do to customer enquiries, and what it is not meant to touch. Ten minutes, this week, before anyone decides it for you.

What you end up holding: a straight answer about what is actually being rolled out, and when
How long it takes: ten minutes

If there’s nobody obvious to ask, or you’d rather not ask your manager: Put the same question to your union rep, your shift lead or the person who has been there longest, in person, over a break. Same ten minutes, same answer, and you will usually get a straighter one. Write down what they say. The note is the artifact, and it tells you whether brushes are in scope or not. Nothing to log into, no licence needed.

Over the next 90 days

Get inside the tool rollout rather than waiting for it. Over the next ninety days, ask to be in the group that tests, checks or signs off whatever new system arrives near using brushes on extending rods to clean the chimney or flue. It is usually an unglamorous seat that nobody fights for, and it is the one that decides how the software is used on your job rather than to it.

Over the next 12 months

On this evidence I would not retrain out of this job, and I will say that plainly rather than hedge it. The task list here is dominated by work that stays with a person. What I would do with a year is get formally recognised for the layer around it (the systems, the compliance, the planning), so you are the one who understands the software instead of the one it is done to. Before you pay for anything, spend an hour with National Careers Service. It is free and government-funded, and it is listed below with the rest of the free routes.

The roads out of here, and why I am not sending you down them

I looked at the obvious moves out of this job, and here is what I found.

I checked the 12 nearest UK occupations to elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c. (nearest by the work that AI is not taking, not by job title), and none of them survived. The closest was cleaners and domestics: only about 19% of its durable work is work you already do. And on the numbers you do not need one. This job scores 8/100 here, with only 8% of the task list in the top band, and “use brushes on extending rods to clean the chimney or flue” is not work that hands over cleanly. None of them beats deepening what you already have.

How that was checked: this job was compared against all 412 UK occupations in this release on their official task statements, and the 12 nearest were examined one by one. A move that turns on an industry, an employer or a qualification rather than on the work itself will not show up in a check like that. And this release carries no licence register, so anything you are weighing needs that looked up separately.

3 moves I checked and rejected

These are the obvious-looking jumps. They are here with their reasons rather than quietly dropped, because the ones that fail are worth knowing about. It is one less thing to turn over at night.

Cleaners and domestics
Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour because one of your tasks is on their list in the same words: “clean building floors by sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, or vacuuming”. Across the whole of both lists that adds up to about 19% of the work in that job the software is not taking.
Why I am not recommending it: You would be starting most of it from nothing: about 19% of the durable work in that job is work you do today, and the rest you would be learning while the bills carried on.
Look at that job’s page anyway →
Caretakers
Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour because one of your tasks is on their list in the same words: “clean toilets”. Across the whole of both lists that adds up to about 17% of the work in that job the software is not taking.
Why I am not recommending it: You would be starting most of it from nothing: about 17% of the durable work in that job is work you do today, and the rest you would be learning while the bills carried on.
Look at that job’s page anyway →
Vehicle valeters and cleaners
Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour because one of your tasks is on their list in the same words: “clean vehicles, machinery, equipment, instruments, tools, work areas, and other objects using appropriate tools and equipment”. Across the whole of both lists that adds up to about 14% of the work in that job the software is not taking.
Why I am not recommending it: You would be starting most of it from nothing: about 14% of the durable work in that job is work you do today, and the rest you would be learning while the bills carried on.
Look at that job’s page anyway →

What I’d stop worrying about

A friend tells you what not to spend fear on. This is that list.

The headline number you read somewhere
The big “X% of jobs” figures are about the whole economy, not about you. The number that describes your job is on this page: 8% of its task weight, across 51 scored tasks. Every row behind it is printed above with the source. Check ours; ignore theirs.
The headlines about your trade disappearing
They are usually about the technology, not the timetable. Changes to work like using brushes on extending rods to clean the chimney or flue arrive through rules, insurance and money, slowly and visibly. This page tracks the task evidence and will move when it moves.
Retraining out of a job that is holding up
On this evidence I would not spend money leaving. Spend it on the layer around the job instead: the tools, the paperwork, the planning. That is where the change actually is.
The “obvious” next job everyone suggests
I checked the obvious moves and most of them did not survive. The reasons are printed with the routes above, including the pay and the gate. A move that fails on the numbers is worth knowing about so you can stop turning it over at night.

You are reading the United Kingdom figures

The United States splits this work across more than one official group, of which Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners is the closest. The pay and employment figures are not directly comparable, and we do not average them together.

Switch to the United States page →partial match

The other groups this work is counted across:

In US official statistics this job is counted as Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners, Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners, Building Cleaning Workers, All Other, Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners and Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment. Pay is shown separately for each of those groups (medians cannot be averaged together), while the task list and the scores on this page are for this group only.

Your route through this

Where to go next, and what it costs

Free, and complete

The moves above cost nothing. These are the real services that go with them: public, government-funded, and free at the point of use. Nothing on this page is behind an email address or a payment.

In England:
National Careers Service
A free hour with a government-funded careers adviser is worth more than another evening of reading. In England that's the National Careers Service.
Free, government-funded
- Discover your skills and careers (the skills assessment)
In England:
National Careers Service - Find a course
Search what's actually running near you before you spend anything.
Free to search; individual courses vary
In England:
Free courses for jobs (Level 3 qualifications)
A free Level 3 qualification you already qualify for beats a paid course you don't need.
Free for eligible adults
In England:
Skills Bootcamps
Free, up to 16 weeks, and you get a job interview at the end. In England these are Skills Bootcamps - search what's running near you.
Free for eligible adults in England
- Skills Bootcamps - what they are and who can do them (DfE, Skills for Careers)
- Skills Bootcamps - JobHelp (DWP)
In Scotland:
My World of Work (Skills Development Scotland)
In Scotland it's My World of Work, from Skills Development Scotland.
Free, publicly funded
- Skills Development Scotland
In Wales:
Careers Wales
In Wales it's Careers Wales.
Free, Welsh Government-funded
In Northern Ireland:
Careers Service Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland it's the Careers Service on nidirect.
Free, Department for the Economy-funded

No Space for this job, but one for what is happening to it

Nothing Collab365 runs is built for elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c., and we are not going to point you at the nearest one and call it a fit.

There is one that is not about a job title at all. The AI Authority is about being the person who directs these tools at work rather than the person they get compared to. That is worth saying here, because 8% of the work on this page is already inside what they can do.

Try The AI Authority free →

7 days free, no card needed. Explore up to 2 Spaces before you choose a plan: you pick a plan later, not now.

The AI Authority is a general community about working with AI, not a course for elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c.. You do not need it to act on anything here: the moves above cost nothing and stand on their own. The data on this page is the same either way.

Noted, and thank you. We’ll email you if a Space for elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c. launches. Nothing else.

That did not look like an email address, so nothing was saved. Have another go below.

We could not save that. The fault is ours, not yours, and your address was not stored. Please try again later.

No Space for elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c. yet. Should there be one?

Collab365 Spaces is built by the same people as this site. We find the problems that AI and automation are creating inside one kind of work, then solve them as short courses, briefings and Blueprints. Each Space is the community too, so the research and the people doing your job are in the same place.

What a Space actually is, in full

Collab365 launches new communities where the need is real. If one for elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c. existed, with researched problems, courses and people in the same boat, would you want in?

Your email

We use your email address for one thing: to tell you if a Space for elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c. launches. We never sell it, never use it for unrelated marketing, and every email has a one-click unsubscribe. Our privacy policy has the full version.

This unlocks nothing. Every figure, every row and every step on this page is already yours, whether you fill this in or not.

No deadline on any of this. The page will still be here, and the data is refreshed on a published schedule rather than when someone wants a headline.

Questions people ask about this job

Will AI replace Elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c.?: Not as a job, but it is already doing parts of the work. Across the 51 official task statements scored for Elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c. (United Kingdom, SOC 9229), 8% of the importance-weighted core work is made of tasks today's AI could already do most of. The overall exposure score is 8 out of 100 (range 7–13, band: minimal). That is a statement about tasks, not about headcount: this measures what AI could do, not whether any employer adopts it, whether the law allows it, or whether doing the routine parts faster creates more demand for the human parts. Figures are from release 2026-q4.1.
Which tasks in “Elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c.” can AI already do?: The highest-scoring tasks in release 2026-q4.1 are: “Maintain records of resources used, repairs, and corrective actions” (93/100, very high); “Order specific supplies required for the maintenance of facilities” (93/100, very high); “Respond to customer enquiries” (79/100, high). Each score comes from five published 0–4 ratings turned into a number by a published formula, and each carries the model's one-sentence reason on the page.
Which tasks in “Elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c.” stay human?: About 92% of this job's task weight sits in work that scores low for AI exposure. The lowest-scoring tasks in release 2026-q4.1 are: “Dust furniture to remove dirt and maintain cleanliness” (0/100, minimal); “Dust equipment to ensure cleanliness and functionality” (0/100, minimal); “Clean and polish furniture and fixtures” (0/100, minimal). Low scores usually mean the task needs a body in a room, a legally accountable human, or trust built in real time. Those are the three things the scoring rubric treats as gates rather than obstacles.
What should someone working in “Elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c.” do about AI?: Start from the ledger rather than the headline: 8% of this job's weighted core work is exposed, and roughly 92% is not. The practical move is to spend more of your week on the tasks that score low, the ones above, and to get fluent at directing AI through the tasks that score high, because those are the parts that change whether or not you are ready for them. This page does not predict your job, and nothing here is career advice tailored to you: the score describes the occupation, not the person.
How is the AI exposure score for Elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c. calculated?: Each official task statement for the occupation is rated on five published 0–4 dimensions (output replicability, physical embodiment, licensed accountability, real-time human trust, and data availability) by claude-opus-5 using scoring prompt task_scoring_v1.0. The model never writes the score; a published formula turns the five ratings into a 0–100 number, so every score can be recomputed by hand. The occupation figure is the importance-weighted mean across 51 scored tasks. The prompt, the rubric, the formula and the full dataset are published at https://futureproof.collab365.com/method and https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1 under CC BY 4.0.

Where these numbers come from

About the data on this page

Provisional, because the ONS revises this figure in the autumn.
This headcount comes from a survey, not a census, so treat it as a good estimate rather than an exact count.
The match between this job and its counterpart in the other country is partial, so the two pages count slightly different groups of people.
35 of this occupation's scored task statements carry a score that was measured under a different occupation's context, because the statement is shared between jobs and has only been scored once so far. Each one names the occupation it was measured under in the free routes below; none is presented as a measurement for this job.
Task clusters are not derived in this release, so the task-cluster field is empty and no Collab365 Space routing is attached to this occupation yet.

Task statements: gaisi-indexProcessing: catalogue-bridge → ssc-relatedness-weighting → task-scoring → score-aggregation
Task weights: gaisi-index (relatedness)
Scores: Rubric task_scoring_v1.0, model claude-opus-5, computed 2026-08-05.
Pay and employment: ashe-t14 (ASHE 2025 provisional (reference April 2025))nomis-aps (Apr 2025-Mar 2026 (latest APS 12-month period))

Figures on this page come from release 2026-q4.1, published 2026-08-05. Every release keeps its own permanent address, so a figure you cite in March is still there, unchanged, in November.

The plain-English wording on this page is assembled directly from the task statements and the published ratings, not written by hand for this occupation. That is why it is specific, and it is also why we say so.

The routes and free resources further up are today’s, not the release’s (last reviewed 2026-08-05). A route is an offer, not a historical fact, so it moves on its own clock.

How we score a job Download this release Look up another job

Using these figures?

Cite this

Everything on this site is published under CC BY 4.0. Quote it, chart it, sell something built on it. Just say where it came from, and cite the dated release rather than the site, so the figure you quote stays checkable.

Plain text

Collab365 (2026). Collab365 Futureproof: task-level AI exposure for US and UK occupations, release 2026-q4.1 (methodVersion 2.0.0, promptVersion task_scoring_v1.0). https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1. Licensed CC BY 4.0. Built with O*NET data (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0); ONS data (Open Government Licence v3.0); GAISI task framework (arXiv:2507.22748, MIT); BLS data (public domain).

BibTeX

@misc{collab365futureproof2026q41,
  title        = {Collab365 Futureproof: task-level AI exposure for US and UK occupations, release 2026-q4.1},
  author       = {{Collab365}},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1},
  note         = {Release 2026-q4.1, methodVersion 2.0.0, promptVersion task_scoring_v1.0, CC BY 4.0}
}

Permalink

https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1

Data as of release 2026-q4.1, published 2026-08-05. Releases never change after publication; when the figures move, a new dated release is published beside this one and this one stays exactly where it is.