Karen Waterlow outlines plans for new vocational qualifications that aim to meet the industry’s needs.

Attracting new blood into FM has always been a challenge. Employees often find themselves working in the industry more by accident than design. This issue is even more pressing when considering the higher than average age profile in FM. There are many who would like to see facilities management becoming more of a career of choice that attracts young talent and experienced people from other sectors.

There is also a growing argument for FM to be recognised as a profession. In today’s economic climate more facilities managers are staying in their current roles and job security is high on the agenda.

The range of qualification options within a sector is key to creating career pathways and raising the profile of the profession.  In this environment, many facilities managers are starting to view industry-specific qualifications as useful additions to their CV.

Broadening choice

Choice has so far been limited in terms of range and levels. Qualification options have traditionally been set at higher levels than in other equivalent sectors, and there has been particularly limited scope for people in roles such as assistant FMs or FM co-ordinators.

Typically, an aspiring FM candidate would be looking at a foundation degree or post-graduate qualification or the examination-based route offered by the BIFM. This can be a challenging prospect for someone who has been out of education for a while or who already has qualifications from a different area.

It also means it is difficult to demonstrate to a new or prospective entrant to FM what would be the range of qualification routes for them. So, it is important to create new qualifications at the entry level into the industry (typically level 3 aimed at the assistant/first line manager role) in order to address this.

New occupational standards

At the end of September 2008, a document which could prove important to the FM industry received approval from the national approvals body (the UKCG). It is known as a National Occupational Standard and it sets out the tasks, activities and knowledge that you would expect to see demonstrated by someone working in facilities management at entry level.

This document is an important step on the road to increased recognition for the industry and it is also useful for many aspects of personal development. However, one of the most important uses of the standard will be its basis as a model for the first entry level and workplace assessed qualifications in the sector. This includes initiatives such as the new ILM/BIFM joint level 3 programme, an NVQ at level 3 and potentially a new apprenticeship. These new qualifications will become important tools in attracting new entrants to the sector and in developing existing staff.

Qualifications at all levels

But as well as drawing in new people, it is important for the credibility and profile of the sector that more recruits attain a recognised qualification in FM. An accredited qualification such as an NVQ or apprenticeship, based around a training programme of work experience and competence demonstrated 'on the job', could be a popular option.

There are a number of employees in FM who have significant experience in the industry but not an industry-specific qualification. They are likely to be experienced in another sector and have qualifications from that area, often at high levels. They may not be willing or able to undertake an examination-based programme which may mean significant commitment and the challenge of combining study with a demanding 'day job'.

If someone has progressed in FM based primarily on experience, they may not feel able to enter straight into some of the higher level programmes offered by the universities or the professional bodies. Many people also enter facilities management as a second career and have other general management or technical qualifications but would like a flexible work-based qualification which demonstrates their knowledge in facilities management.

So it is important for the growth and credibility of the sector that there are qualification options for people already working in FM. As outlined, creating qualifications options at entry level and pathways through the industry is an key part of attracting, developing and retaining the talent the sector needs - but the needs of existing staff must also be taken into account.

Availability of training and the need for assessors

The development of work-based assessment qualifications will be a new step for the sector, and there is no doubt that the demand from employers and candidates will be there. The challenges may now be to ensure there is sufficient training provision in the market to meet this demand for entry level qualifications.

Facilities management is that rare thing in the world of nationally accredited qualifications – virtually a greenfield site. Training providers, both colleges and private providers, particularly those offering related programmes in specific service areas, will need to be encouraged to move into the broader provision of FM.

There will be opportunities for experienced people within the FM sector to work with education and training providers to support the new programmes. It is important that training delivery is up-to-date with current practice and applied knowledge. Experienced people within FM will want to see providers with the appropriate level of expertise and knowledge.

As some of these qualifications will attract large numbers and are focused on assessment of experience in the workplace, there will also be a potential avenue for existing FM professionals to undertake roles as assessors. This could mean working for a training provider or combined working. This could provide an interesting change of direction, or extension of work, for FM professionals.

Up-to-date job experience and industry knowledge are important components for assessors. They would use their knowledge to deliver a programme that supports candidates in meeting the industry standard and accumulating the appropriate evidence to gain the qualification. Ensuring assessors come forward with good industry knowledge will help ensure quality, reputation and progression of the qualifications.

The role of the assessor is a well established one in many professions and within work-based management qualifications. Many people who become assessors do not leave their employment, but combine the role with their work responsibilities. Or they move into a development role within their existing organisation. Working as an assessor can be a full-time role or a flexible part-time one. With a background in the industry, new assessors can become qualified by undertaking an assessment qualification, usually the level 3 Award in Assessing Candidates Using a Range of Methods (known as the A1).  

Challenges in setting context

Defining models for assessment in facilities management will also be one of the challenges for establishing training provision. They will need to be developed to take account of the huge diversity of FM roles and contexts. This is one area that qualifications in FM have sometimes struggled to resolve. A particular mix of competences might fit one organisation or one role at this level but not another. A workplace assessed qualification will be successful if assessment can be set within the context and culture of each organisation and recognise the huge breadth of FM roles.

Whatever the challenges ahead in terms of developing training provision and appropriate methods of accessing facilities management in the workplace, important developments are improving the career pathways for FM.

\We hope that very soon new entrants will be able to see apprenticeship programmes and other qualifications becoming available which introduce them to the core of FM knowledge. And for experienced FMs, the chance of gaining new qualifications based on their experience. These will enable them to gain a nationally accredited qualification and progress to an advanced level or onto higher education programmes or professional exams.

The future is all about choices and options for existing and new FM professionals which develop and recognise the talent in the industry.

Karen Waterlow is the Specialist Adviser for Facilities Management and Cleaning at Asset Skills, the Sector Skills Council for the Facilities Management industry.

www.assetskills.org