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Where do chimney sweeps work, and how do the job prospects look?
The chimney sweep profession is small in numbers but stable in demand. Because part of the work is legally required, there is a fundamental and sustained demand for trained chimney sweeps. Here we look at where you work and how the future looks for the profession.
Most chimney sweeps are employed by a chimney sweep master and drive out to residential homes summer cottages institutions and companies in an area. Some become self-employed masters over time with their own business and employees. The work is mobile and independent: you often plan your own route and meet many different customers and facilities in a day.
The craft is characterized by very low unemployment. Figures for new graduates show that nearly all find work, and unemployment remains low even years after qualifying. That's because legally mandated work must be performed regardless of business cycles — people don't stop heating because the economy fluctuates.
The way we heat our homes is changing. More are switching to heat pumps and district heating while wood stoves and pellet fires are still widespread. For the chimney sweep this means the trade is moving: in addition to classical cleaning, energy advice, measurement, control of combustion and guidance on environmentally sound heating are increasingly important. The modern chimney sweep is to a great extent also an energy and environmental advisor.
The industry suits you well if you like independent, physical work that varies from day to day and you are good with people. You come to many different customers and a large part of the job is explaining, advising and creating security. Technical curiosity and orderliness are good qualities — and a certain robustness to weather, height and dirt.
Although heating methods change the need for inspection of exhaust prevention of fire and advice on efficient and environmentally responsible firing does not disappear. Quite the opposite the new demands for energy and indoor climate give the trade new tasks. The chimney sweep evolves from only removing soot to being a broader professional around combustion exhaust and energy in the home.